“I’m a farmer, but I am also the last traditional matchmaker in Ireland. I inherited matchmaking from my father and grandfather and have helped people find love for more than 50 years. The lucky love matchmaking book was started by my family about 170 years ago when there were no roads, cars, or electricity. I tell people if they touch the love book with one hand and close their eyes for seven seconds, envisaging love, they will likely fall in love within six months. If they touch the book with both hands, they will likely be married within six to nine months. This book brings good luck and puts people in spots to feel good about themselves. That’s a little bit of magic.

Matchmaking was important in rural areas like Lisdoonvarna where it was harder to meet someone. I have matched more than 3,000 couples. The traditional tools I use are intuition, subtlety, and an understanding of human nature. Everyone wants someone to share their life with. Sometimes a man or woman in their 50s, 60s or 70s has given up on finding love. If I can introduce them to someone and they find happiness, that means a lot to me. If they feel great, then I feel great.

The Matchmaking Festival in Lisdoonvarna is four weeks in September. About 60,000 people come to our small town during the festival month, and I am making matches in my office in the Matchmaker Bar. People fill out the matchmaking forms with interests, hobbies, and preferences. Timing is important, and I try to introduce people on the spot. If that doesn’t work, we will contact them with a match over the next 12 months.

Tonight, there are more women than fellows at the Matchmaking Festival. Usually it’s the opposite. People have love to give, and they want to be loved back.”

Willie