Long before the modern trend of swiping right they swept right into an Irish village to make matches at Lisdoonvarna, the Tinder of its times.
A much more sociable way to meet your partner over a Guinness and a jig I think we’d all agree.
Alas word reaches us from The Old Sod that the Last Matchmaker fears he may become the final exponent of his trade.
Willie Daly has carried on a rich family tradition in Co. Clare in west Ireland which goes back 160 years to his great-grandfather, also Willie.
In fact he’s a one-man business with his own Matchmaking Museum and Horse, Pony and Donkey Museum with artefacts from The Quiet Man.
And that’s probably where you’ve come across a matchmaker or seachrán, Barry Fitzgerald who played Michaleen.
Got it covered
Every September the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival draws tens of thousands from around the world.
All anxious to get their names in the 160-year-old Lucky Book.
Seventy-nine-year-old Willie insists that you you place both hands on the cover.
Close your eyes and think of love.
And you’ll be married within the year.
Mighty craic
So what’s the secret… well, it wouldn’t be a secret then but we’d imagine the craic has a lot to do with it.
And as well as the staple Irish and international musicians there’s a DJ line-up too.
Anyone for Pat Dowling and the Moynihan Brothers.
The Ritz, the Royal Spa and the Spa Wells Heritage Centre have all been known to host events.
Including DJs, country music and lively entertainment for all ages with, of course, Christy Moore’s song getting plenty of airing.
Willie, of course, is the centre of attention.
And he provides his love-matching consultations from a seat at the Matchmaker Bar.
Christy Moore, more, more
The drinking and carousing done you’ll want to take your new squeeze on a date.
And again we turn to Christy Moore for recommendations.
And a couple of lines from Lisdoonvarna:
‘Here we are in the County Clare
It’s a long, long way from here to there.
‘There’s the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher,
And the Tulla and the Kilfenora (other villages).’
You don’t, of course, need to be on the lookout for love, just for fun.
Shannon Airport is the nearest airport.
So put down your dating app Lisdoonvarna the Tinder of its times is where to go.
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