Dates
Festivities may not take place every day during this date range. Please check the festival's official page for more details.
If there’s a long queue to see Willie, look for his daughter, Claire
She’s the fourth generation matchmaker in the family and some consider her even more prescient than her father.
Bring your dancing shoes
The dances start around noon every day and go late into the evening. If you’re not here for the matchmaking, consider it an aerobic festival.
Find your mate and head to the spa
The Spa Hotel was the centre around which this little village developed due to the mineral waters rich in iron, sulphur, and magnesium. If you’re unlucky in love, you’re lucky there’s a place to pamper yourself.
Take a drive along the coast
The craggy coast of Ireland is a short drive away. Whether you’re mated or not, you’ll appreciate the rugged beauty of the Irish coast.
Getting to Dublin
Take a bus, train, or car to Galway which is the best city for accommodations for Lisdoonvarna if you’re not planning on staying right in the village (although Galway is an hour away from the festival).
You can also come from Limerick
Which is an hour and a half away from Lisdoonvarna. There are more than a dozen bed & breakfast and small hotels and inns near the festival but they tend to fill up early. Try Airbnb for some great local options in and around Lisdoonvarna and Galway...including a castle.