‘Clare feels woven into our story’: American woman found her match in Lisdoonvarna 

Third time lucky for Jay Mangan at the matchmaking festival

Mary Timby and Jay Mangan met at the matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

Jay Mangan had never made a connection at Lisdoonvarna’s matchmaking festival. 

But third time was the charm for the Clare man, when he met American woman Mary Timby in a local pub.

The pair met at the Matchmaker Bar, while attending the matchmaking event which sees tens of thousands of singletons flock to Clare each year.

Last year, Mary was one of them. 

After first hearing of the festival in an episode of Schitt’s Creek, she flew to Shannon Airport “on a whim”, unsure what to expect.

Jay had attended the festival twice before, and decided to give it one more shot, to “see how it goes”.

Jay told the Irish Examiner the festival always “felt lighthearted” to him in previous years. “A bit of craic, a tradition, nothing too serious”. 

His third time was different.

Mary explained: “When we started talking, it wasn’t rushed or performative. He’s told me he felt calm, which surprised him. Not swept up. Just steady. And I think that steadiness is what convinced him this was something worth pursuing.” 

The pair are currently in Mary's hometown in Fort Collins, “keeping it cosy and intentional” this Valentine’s Day.

“Sometimes the most romantic thing still feels like normal, quiet time side by side,” Mary said.

She documented her experience at the festival but also in Ireland, with one of her videos gathering over 2m views on TikTok. 

At first, she kept her beau’s identity private, as they got to know each other better. But now, they have made it Instagram official.

Mary Timby and Jay Mangan at the matchmaking festival in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

“His name is Jay Mangan, and he’s from Co Clare. It still makes me smile saying that out loud. Clare feels woven into our story now. From Lisdoonvarna to Doolin to Ennis, it’s more than just a backdrop. It’s part of how this all happened,” she said.

Like many daters, Mary felt discouraged and was “tired” of the dating scene.

Modern dating can be exhausting. What changed for me wasn’t geography. It was mindset. I chose curiosity over comfort, I stopped asking what’s the most practical move and started asking what would make a good story.

“You don’t have to fly across the world. But you might need to do something slightly outside your routine. Growth rarely happens in the exact same places we’ve been circling,” she said.

Since meeting in September 2025, the pair have had their share of memorable moments.

“Meeting each other’s families. Standing at the edge of the Atlantic realizing this wasn’t just a holiday connection. Seeing him in Colorado. The first time we talked about logistics instead of just romance, because that’s when it became real life, not just a story,” are a few moments Mary looks back on fondly.

Despite the public attention their love story has received, it’s the “private milestones” that matter more to her.

Mary Timby and Jay Mangan on the US show 'Tamron Hall,' which airs on ABC. Picture: Disney/Jeff Neira

The lovebirds are planning their next trip to Ireland for St Patrick’s Day, where they will be back to where it all began.

“We’re having real conversations about where and how our lives could eventually merge, and I’m planning to live in Ireland for a few months this summer to experience daily life there together. We’re doing it thoughtfully. Long distance forces you to communicate clearly and plan carefully. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s strong,” Mary said.