Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival Returns For 2026

Lisdoonvarna’s famous Matchmaking Festival returns for September, with live music, dancing, speed dating and, of course, the chance to find love. This year also sees the reopening of the historic Hydro Hotel for the first time since 2019. One person who knows all about the festival’s matchmaking magic is Mary Timby from Colorado, who travelled to Lisdoonvarna after seeing it featured on Schitt’s Creek — and ended up finding love with Clare man Jay Mangan. She’s now helping promote this year’s festival and joins us alongside Ireland’s traditional matchmaker, Willie Daly. Image (c) Clare FM