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Updated 05/24/2013

 


The Road to Lisdoonvarna

Lisdoonvarna (Irish: Lios Dúin Bhearna, meaning Enclosure at the Fort by the Gap) is a spa town of 800 people in County Clare in the Republic of Ireland. Famous for its music and festivals, in September each year one of Europe's largest matchmaking events is held in the town attracting upward of 40,000 romantic hopefuls, bachelor farmers and accompanying revelers. The month-long event is an important tourist attraction. The current matchmaker is Willie Daly, a fourth generation matchmaker.

The town takes its name from the Irish Lios Dúin Bhearna meaning the "lios dúin", or enclosed fort, of the gap ("bhearna"). It is believed that the fort referred to in this name is the green earthen fort of Lissateeaun, which lies to the north-east of the town, near the remains of a Norman-era castle.