Tired of Swiping? Here’s What Happened When I Gave Ireland’s 60,000-Person Matchmaking Festival a Shot

Exploring romance and connections along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.

My body felt prickly as if a thousand tiny needles were poking at me.

“You’re doing fantastic!” my friend shouted through chattering teeth. “You’ve fully embraced the Irish spirit!” Here I was, neck-deep in the icy waters of the Atlantic after an adventurous week filled with road trips and the country’s largest matchmaking festival, and my heart raced with excitement.

Just moments before, a brave soul had dramatically cannonballed off the iconic Salt Hill diving board, their jubilant laughter silenced by a powerful splash. With the chill subsiding a bit, I scanned the crowd and noticed no one else seemed as cold as I felt. I had always heard tales of the Irish resilience—after all, perfect weather is not a luxury easily found here.

Over multiple years of navigating the online dating scene, I realized such resilience was essential. The endless cycle of downloading and deleting apps, along with the disappointment of ghosting, left me yearning for a simpler approach to love. Thus, when I discovered my spontaneous trip to Ireland coincided with the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, I couldn’t resist. Could traditional matchmaking truly surpass algorithmic swiping?

The Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival takes place throughout September, attracting approximately 60,000 visitors, drawn by the festivities and perhaps by occasional social media buzz or even a Hallmark movie inspired by the event. The allure of joining thousands to celebrate love and connection seemed too tempting to resist.

The festival’s official website offered vague but enthusiastic notes about dancing, mingling, and various unnamed events. I speculated there might be additional programming upon arrival but wondered how such a large gathering could successfully implement matchmaking activities.

As someone who has lived abroad for seven years, I was not deterred by the notion of pursuing a long-distance romance—if the connection was genuine. Coming from a background of disappointment with contemporary dating, my hopes for finding “the one” remained tempered. But with friends by my side in the picturesque landscape of Ireland, I was assured of a delightful experience, with love as a serendipitous bonus.

This festival conveniently provided a great opportunity for a mini-road trip along the stunning Wild Atlantic Way, with an itinerary thoughtfully crafted by my hosts, two Galway locals I met abroad.

Lisdoonvarna offers stunning scenery in County Clare, with the fascinating Burren landscape surrounding it and the iconic Cliffs of Moher just a short drive away. Along the way, delightful spots, including the charming village of Kinvarra and the vibrantly colored structures of Doolin, beckon travelers (Artisanal café Sean-Nós is highly recommended for a coffee and croissant). As I rolled into Lisdoonvarna, I soon discovered its history as a spa retreat, evident through its quaint wellness hotels.

Our adventure began at the Matchmaker Bar, the central hub for Willie Daly, renowned as Ireland’s last traditional matchmaker. The inviting purple facade and live music emanating from within drew us in as we found ourselves under the gaze of a cheerful mural of Daly.

Chris Dorney/Shutterstock

Although Willie Daly wasn’t present that evening—he was otherwise occupied with a wedding—the friendly staff directed us to a snug where for 5 euros, we could fill out a brief questionnaire about our appearances and interests. We were informed that Daly would be reaching out to match us soon. Cramped together in the cozy space, the excitement was infectious as hopeful romantics eagerly filled out their forms. With only one ATM in town that was temporarily out of service, my friends and I pooled our resources, leading to only one of us completing the questionnaire (that friend is still awaiting a call months later).

However, I did get to touch the legendary matchmaking book, its cover smooth and worn with countless stories of past clients saved within. Legend holds that if you place your hands on this book and close your eyes, luck in love will follow.

As we transitioned from the tiny room to the lively dance floor, I observed that the events were more of a spontaneous singles weekend rather than a structured matchmaking affair. The exhilaration came from drifting into various pubs and taking chances with those who caught your eye.

Gordon Hatton CC-BY-SA-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons; Joseph Mischyshyn CC-BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Fairly or unfairly, those who claim the festival attracts mainly older attendees must have been at our next stop, the Rathbaun Hotel. The dance floor was filled with smiles and familiar faces, and I even twirled a few times! Social dances have historically served as dating apps—uncomplicated and joyful interactions.

Our final destination, the Ritz Hotel, cleverly merged these concepts, featuring one room for traditional ballroom tunes and another that catered to contemporary pop hits from the 2010s. Once I dismissed the need for a meticulously planned agenda, I felt liberated to embrace the spontaneity and craic in the Irish countryside.

The following day, while driving along the breathtaking coastal routes, I realized how Ireland’s diverse landscapes mirrored my own dating experiences. At times stark and desolate like the Burren, other moments brimming with promise like the lush green fields, or exhilarating when standing at the Cliffs of Moher, gazing at the tumultuous waves below.

While no romantic connections emerged during the festival, I departed for Galway rejuvenated and fulfilled. My heart swelled with gratitude for the laughter shared and memories created with friends.

So when I spotted a handsome Irish man engrossed in a book outside a café, it felt effortless to engage in conversation. When he invited me to join him, it felt like the most natural thing to do. Although the day culminated in a “you up?” text later that night—not my style—my heart swirled with the joyful nostalgia of our afternoon meet-cute.

Reflecting on the moments that filled me with warmth, it all circles back to companionship: sharing laughs while braving the winds at the Cliffs of Moher, enjoying blended tastes in the invigorating waters at Salt Hill, and recounting our Lisdoonvarna escapades over glasses of red wine at the rental cottage.

By the end of the journey, I found myself deleting my Bumble app—not out of disillusionment with love, but from a refreshed recognition of how enriching it is to connect within the world around us rather than through screens. It wasn’t solely the allure of Ireland—though undeniably beautiful—but the joy of traveling that reawakened my zest for life. The vulnerabilities and hopes that accompany dating—whether online or in person—remained prevalent, reminding me that the journey is just as meaningful as the destination.