In the age of algorithms, one Irish town still does love the old

In the age of algorithms, one Irish town still does love the old-fashioned way

Rebecca Rosman

October 10, 2025 / 3:00 am

LISDOONVARNA, Ireland — Years ago, while traveling with my family along Ireland's west coast, I spotted a curious billboard. It was blue and hot pink, and showed a man with shoulder-length hair and a gray beard smiling out from the roadside.

It was for a matchmaking festival — Europe's largest, our tour guide assured us. The man in the photo was Willie Daly, the town's resident matchmaker.

"Maybe any singles here can head to Lisdoonvarna next September to find your one true Irish love!" he declared as we drove past, earning the dull laugh for a line he had clearly delivered countless times before.

That was 15 years ago. Since then, dating has moved to apps and al