Matchmaking Festival Lisdoonvarna Ireland – A Solo Travel Report
By Diane Redfern
Once a year a sleepy little spa town on the west coast of Ireland awakens to the hum
of romance. Matchmaking is an old tradition in Lisdoonvarna, County
Clare. For generations landed families from miles around gathered here
after crops had been harvested. That's when folks had leisure to "take
the waters," and tip back a Guiness or two to the tune of an Irish Jig.
Meanwhile the youngsters had a chance to get acquainted.
In recent years the annual
affair assumed "festival"
status and an international focus. Now it is billed as one of Europe's
biggest events for singles. The unattached of all ages come – alone or
in organized groups – from far and wide for the fun
and hijinks scheduled each September. Gaiety should be infectious with
plenty of toe-tapping Irish music and
knee-slapping blarney holding sway in every pub.
Pub-hopping and dancing will be popular not only in Lisdoonvarna's
plentiful pubs, but also in nearby Ennis, Kilfenora, and especially
Doolin – all, are towns noted for traditional Irish music.
Scheduled events include a horse racing meet, championship barbeque
cook-off, and as change from traditional Irish music, a competition of
Irish marching bands, along with an assortment of meet and mingle
hijinks in various venues. Festivities culminate on the final weekend
with the crowning of Miss and Mr Lisdoonvarna and the awarding of major
prizes.
Of course you don't have to be looking for a mate to be attracted to
this part of Ireland. Lisdoonvarna claims the country's only active
spa, which has been dispensing therapeutic mineral waters since the
18th century, and the County Clare region is abundantly blessed with
scenic spots. It's a fine stopover point for walking, cycling, golfing,
birding, fishing, and trail riding excursions. In fact, you could
easily fill a two-week holiday based right in
Lisdoonvarna.
If You Go to County Clare, Ireland
- Information
Before
You Go: Irish Tourist Board.
Tel.
1-800-223-6470.
- Information In
Ireland: Tourist Information Offices located in
town centres offer tourist literature and lodging reservations.
- Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival Information: Marcus White,
Hydro Hotel, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, Ireland. Tel. 011-353-65-74405;
Fax 011-353-65-74406.
- Getting There: Lisdoonvarna,
population about 1,000, is located
in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland, some 250 km from Dublin
and 35km from Ennis.
- By Air:Shannon Airport is about 60 km. Bus connections can be
made via Ennis or Limerick.
Getting
Around Ireland
- Ireland By Bus:
Bus Éireann, operates a country-wide
network of buses serving the cities and most towns. Fare:
Dublin/Lisdoonvarna £12.00 (C$25; US$US$18) one-way; £16.00
(C$33; US$24) return.
- Ireland by Irish
Rail: Serves most large cities and towns.
Going by rail is the fastest most convenient way of travelling from
Dublin to places like Waterford, Cork, Limerick and Galway. Bicycles
can be taken on trains for a charge of up to £6.
- Irish Explorer
Pass: 5-day rail only ($100) is valid on
Intercity, DART (Dublin) and Suburban Rail. 8-day combined rail and bus
($150) is valid on Intercity, Suburban Rail, Bus Eireann, Provincial
Bus and City Services in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
- Irish Rover: As
above plus Northern Ireland Railways ($124).
- Emerald Card:
As above plus Ulsterbus Provincial Services and
Belfast City Bus Services for 15 days ($300) or 8 days ($174).
- Ferry Services:
Eastern Ireland is served by several different
ferry services in France, Wales and Scotland.
- BritIreland Pass:
5 or 10-day pass includes rail in the U K and
Ireland, plus sea crossings. Details: Britrail Travel International.
Tel. 1-800-677-8585; 1-212-575-2667 (NYC).
Accommodation
- Bed &
Breakfast: The Town and Country Homes Association,
Donegal Road, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, Ireland. Tel. 011-353-72-51377; Fax 011-353-72-51207.
- Ballinalacken
Castle Hotel, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, Ireland Tel:
011-353-65-74025; Fax: 011-353-65-74025. 18th century Manor House with
views of the Cliffs of Moher, Aran Islands, the Connemara Hills and
Galway Bay.
Must
Sees Around County Clare
- The Burren: (bhoireann in Gaelic) means "a stony place." The
terrain is mainly carboniferous limestone, bare and fissured terraces
hiding a myriad of caves beneath. Great walks and hikes. Bird watching.
Ancient monuments, megalithic tombs; prehistoric burial mounds; Bronze
Age and Iron Age forts; medieval castles.
- Cliffs of Moher:
10 kms. Rated
among Ireland's most famous coastal sights.
- Bunratty Castle:
Medieval banquets of music, food and
entertainment, 7 miles from Limerick.
Irish
Courses
- The Institute of
Irish Studies: Information on study tours that
provide insight into the complexities of Irish culture. Details: The
Institute of Irish Studies, 6 Holyrood Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4,
Ireland.
- The Boghill
Centre: Traditional Irish Music Workshops.
Seven-day, mixed Instrument workshops, June through September.
Beginners welcome. Vegetarian meals. Dormitory lodging. Details: The
Boghill Centre, Kilfenora, County Clare, Ireland. Tel. 011-353-65-74644.
- Burren College Of
Art: 4-week, 8-week; weekend art courses.
Details: Burren College Of Art, Newtown Castle, Ballyvaughan, Co.
Clare. Tel: 011-353-65-77200. Fax: 011-353 65 77201;U SA: Tim Van Laar,
U.S. Tel/Fax:1-217- 355-0145.
DR
