Cormac MacConnell: Romance still blooms in love capital of west

Peter Curtin, proprietor of The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare, whose mother still recalls farming couples coming into the bar to discuss details of the farming matches being made.

I have such good news today for the 337 of you out there who are stone mad to change your bachelor status as quickly as possible and the 229 amongst you who are wishful spinsters equally but quietfully anxious to ally yourselves to decent countrymen who are likely to convert ye into wives and even mothers as soon as is decently possible.

The good news today is that the ancient matchmaking season has opened already in the mythical Clare spa town of Lisdoonvarna for the 159th year and the craic is mighty, your romantic chances very high indeed, and all of you should get there as soon as possible.