Looking for love? Put away your smartphone and head to Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, says Ireland’s last traditional matchmaker.
Willie Daly, Lisdoonvarna’s third generation matchmaker believes that when it comes to love, the old ways are still the best.
“I don’t go near the internet myself and I’m certain the old way of matchmaking is far better than any computer.
Willie was speaking ahead of the five week matchmaking festival which will see thousands of hopeful singles descend on Lisdoonvarna, on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way in September.
Willie offers couples face to face introductions and says that initial physical attraction is one of the most important things in matchmaking.
“Tinder and other dating apps are done through a machine and that can be cold and emotionless. In traditional matchmaking you look into teach other eyes, and reach out and touch the other person.”
“Matchmaking doesn’t stop at any age, even if you are 50 or 60 or more doesn’t mean that you wouldn’t like to have companionship or friendship and find someone you can relate to and talk to,” he added.
“Everyone should be in love, no matter who they are. We all want someone to share our lives, with, someone to grow old with – that’s what life is all about.”
Every September, thousands of singles flock to the Matchmaking festival in the small town of Lisdoonvarna, in the west of Ireland in the hope of finding love and having the ‘craic’. This year there has been a huge interest from the US with a TV crew from CNN covering the event
This year’s event will see local band ‘The Stunning’ be brewing up a storm on the first weekend of the festival on the 30/31st August at the Marquee – the band’s only Clare gig this year. Joining them on the bill at the ‘Rock/Folk’ weekend on the 30th/31st August will be Limerick natives Hermitage Green, Dublin’s Riptide Movement and All Folk’d Up.
Country music stars won’t be disappointed either as the second weekend of the festival sees country music stars Derek Ryan, Mike Denver Cliona Hagan and Barry Kirwan return to take the stage on 6th and 7th September at the Marquee.
Marcus White, Managing Director of the White Hotel Group said: “The country music weekends have been a huge success for Lisdoonvarna over the past few years. This year we are trying something new with the first ever ‘Rock/Folk weekend ‘ – there hasn’t been anything like this in the village since the ‘Lisdoonvarna folk festival’ took place over 30 years ago.”
“There has been a huge demand for tickets this year and we are advising people not to leave it to the last minute as they will be gone.
The Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival continues for the whole month of September, jam packed with music and dancing in all venues every day from 11am in the morning to late.
The traditional dance weekends are on the 13th -15th September, 20th-22nd September and 27th-29th September featuring some of Ireland’s leading show bands who will play at the Hydro and Imperial Hotels. The popular tea dances at the historic Spa Wells are back again this year between 12-2pm with Larry McEvoy and his band.
The Lisdoonvarna matchmaking festival kicks off on the 30th August and runs for five weeks until the 29th September.
This year’s festival is sponsored by Imagine Media, Clare County Council and Fáilte Ireland.
For more information on the festival go to www.matchmakerireland.com and to buy tickets go to www.ticketmaster.ie