This 150-year-old matchmaking festival is the subject of folklore – thousands of single men and women flock to Lisdoonvarna every year with one thing on their minds – to find a perfect mate. Traditionally, the matchmakers of old knew all the farmers who had eligible sons and daughters and invited them to Lisdoonvarna to meet, collecting the generous dowries when successful matches were made. The Matchmaking Festival takes place every year during September and October – traditionally the months when the hay and crops were gathered. Today, all the matchmaking music and dancing is concentrated at the weekends, with other exciting and colourful attractions during the week, such as the 'Lisdoonvarna Meeting' – a horse race for amateur jockeys. The festival finishes with the grand final when the best-matched couple are picked and awarded the coveted titles of 'Mr Lisdoonvarna' and 'Queen of the Burren'.

Times
Throughout the day and evening.