Ireland's Matchmaking Festival

Willie Daly inherited his matchmaking skills from his father and grandfather. He himself has seven children, is divorced, a farmer by trade and horse-farm owner with a riding school. He's also the festival's star attraction. Most nights he holds court in a small front room at The Matchmaker Bar where he sits at a table with a 100-year-old, family-owned matchmaker's ledger. Some of its pages are curled from age. Others are stuffed with poems, photos and love-seeker applications, both old and new. If Willie's not there, a family member fills in. 

Women sign up for free; men pay around 20 euros for the privilege. Most of Willie's "matches" occur  post-event. although he might corral a potential couple onto the dance floor the same night they sign up.

The village has one main street. The three-star Hydro Hotel has 110 en suite rooms within its 1800s-style architecture. The Imperial is home to The Matchmaker Bar, which is the festival's epicenter. The Ritz Hotel is located at the main square. To get away from the buzz, head for the 12-room Ballinalacken Castle Country House located on a peaceful hilltop with lovely views of the Cliffs of Moher and the Aran Islands. 

If a love match isn't made at Lisdoonvarna, the dancing is worth the trip. Non-stop music begins at noon and continues throughout the night at 17 music and dance venues. Men are not shy about asking a partner to dance. Women also dance together to keep the dance floor hopping. "Irish men are dancing fools," one local said recently  while watching his friends dance at the Hydro Hotel. "We practice all year with the cows."

Be aware of the occasional unsavory character, married man out for the night, escorts, farmers who don't bathe and some thievery at the festival. On the lighter side, the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival represents hope, joy, fun and great dancing. If a mate isn't found, the huge number of attendees of all ages know they're not alone looking for love.

Lisdoonvarna is located in County Clare on Ireland's West Coast, 45 minutes from Shannon Airport. It's a three-hour drive from Dublin. Nearby Ennis and Galway are served by rail. For more information about Ireland in general, contact the Tourist Board of Ireland.