A 30% surge in asylum seeker applications here last year has resulted in the State moving to open “as a matter of urgency” a new direct provision centre in Lisdoonvarna in north Clare.

A mystery romantic, who is hoping this year will be the year he meets ‘the one’, has literally pinned his hopes on the matchmaking festival.

They came armed with all the colours of the rainbow, they saw the sun rise during a same-sex céilí, and they conquered any notions it would be hard to find gay love in Lisdoon.

ONE of the world’s oldest and boldest matchmaking festivals is turning ‘pink’ this weekend.