For eleven months of the year Lisdoonvarna has a population of just 800 residents. It is known throughout Europe as the Match Making Town. During September 40 000 singles converge on Lisdoonvarna in search of their perfect match. Fourth generation Willie Daly is the matchmaker, but to the locals he is considered a conman. Nonetheless, his entrepreneurial skills brings business, and lots of it, to the town.
Eleven hotels, two pubs and three times the number of Guest Houses and B&B's cater for the demands of the tourist industry. I'm not sure how they fill the demand for 10 000 beds each week during September. As Willie weaves his wizardry one would expect wedded bliss & the demand for the number of beds to halve!
Lisdoonvarna was once a spa town for those seeking to be healed by the mineral rich spring waters. The facility closed several years ago, however, the community has recently received a grant to revive the spa.
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Two. One to carry the chair &
one to water the plants |
How many Irishmen does it take to water the hanging baskets of Lisdoonvarna?
Today we took a coastal drive from Lisdoonvarna to Doolin, Fenora, Ballyvaughan, Kilfenora, back to Doolin before completing the loop to Lisdoonvarna.
Mother Nature has again captivated my attention & that of the camera lens. This time with her cloud formations. I'll let the picture paint the thousand words!
We returned to The Burren & Poulnabrone to visit the Portal Tomb on the karst limestone plateau, 150 metres above sea level. In 1939 Harvard University archaeologists excavated the remains of two adults and two children. These remains dated 3 800 BC are entombed at the site.
The nearby Caharconnell Fort is an ongoing archaeological dig. The earliest artefact has been dated 900 AD.
Late afternoon we joined a boat trip to the base of the Cliffs of Moher. While not a particularly comfortable journey, the cliffs were particularly impressive. Numerous & frequent land slips ensure an ever changing landscape.
Following a pub meal we returned to the farm to say our farewells to Patrick & Bridie. I hold dear, special memories of my visit here.
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