Matchmaker ‘shocked’ as marriage rate drops 8%

FAMED Lisdoonvarna matchmaker Willie Daly yesterday expressed surprise that rural areas of Co Clare experienced a further drop in the number of marriages recorded last year.

Figures released by the Health Service Executive show overall marriage rate in Clare last year dropped by 8% from 349 to 321.

The latest figure points to an overall 26% drop since 2007 when 438 marriages were recorded. There was a 37% drop in marriages in Ennistymon from 27 to 17 while in the Kilrush area, they decreased by 44% from 45 to 25.

Mr Daly said: “I am shocked, to an extent.

“I think there is an even bigger interest in marriage now with the recession because it is cheaper for two people to live together than one. People are looking for a partner to share the burden.”

Mr Daly said, with less men around in rural areas due to emigration, “women are taking longer to make up their minds and their decision might stretch into the next year and maybe that is why there was a drop last year in the rural areas.

“I believe marriage is on the way up, because people want that sense of security.”

However, recently married county councillor Martin Conway disagreed with Mr Daly.

“The recession is putting people off getting married. Getting married is an expensive business. I know of a number of couples locally planning to get married but have delayed the big day because of economic circumstances.”