The Matchmaker Bar

Erin's Isle 512

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For more than 50 years the village of Lisdoonvarna in County Clare, has hosted the annual Matchmaking Festival. It began as a weekend draw to that tiny town focused on attracting farmers looking for wives and single women interested. Kind of a meet-up in the rurals. That expanded to two weekends and the week in between. And it has grown to the biggest thing that town sees all year, running the entire month of September. And while you can still see a few farmers at the bar, it’s become an event that packs the town with tourists.

A crowded pub with people standing and sitting; a woman in white sits at a table with drinks in the foreground. — The Matchmaker Bar

Willie Daly is the resident matchmaker and he’s s third generation expert. He works from an big leather book…in the foyer of the Matchmaker’s Pub in the middle of town.

An older man reads papers beside two women and a stack of old books at a table with drinks and scattered papers. — Willie Daly, signing folks up.

After assessing what you are looking for, what you bring to the table and collecting a registration fee, he throws you into the mix. And the line to sign up looks endless. Once the live music begins, and the dancing begins he walks around the bar, matching this one with that one…the one over there with the guy at the table and any other matches he sees as likely. And he asks the couples to dance.

A group of people are socializing and talking inside a dimly lit pub — Hopeful singles at the Matchmaker Bar.

It is admittedly not very scientific, but it seems to work. The more people drink, the less inhibited they are to take part. And as the evening unfolds, c ouples seem to pair off on their own. I suppose it is a good icebreaker to be matched up with someone and the alcohol helps you pair yourself up with whomever appeals to you.

Willie is reluctant to give you any hard statistics on his success rate. But he’s always happy to regale you with meetp-cute recounts, and introduce you to farmers

I know it’s not September, but since it is Valentine’s day, but I thought I’d give you a chance to experience the festival yourself, by listening to this podcast.

Oh, and here’s a picture of the spider webs. (That will make sense after you listen to the podcast)