I found love at an Irish matchmaking festival - and I want others to do the same

Mary Timby, a 39-year-old planner from Colorado, decided to take an impromptu trip to Ireland last summer when she was feeling burnt out by the dating scene at home. She stumbled upon the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, which takes place every September in the small town of Lisdoonvarna, Ireland. Intrigued by the idea of conversational matchmaking, she booked her trip and arrived in Lisdoonvarna just in time for the festival.

Initially, Timby didn't find much success at the festival, as the first night was slow and she was exhausted from her long journey. However, she decided to revisit the town after her accommodation host suggested she give it another try. During her second visit, she met Jason Mangan at the Matchmaker Bar. Their conversation flowed effortlessly, and they exchanged contact information, promising to meet up again.

After reconnecting on Instagram, Mangan invited Timby on a whirlwind tour of Lisdoonvarna's attractions, including lunches, dinners, sightseeing, and shopping. They kept their budding romance a secret from each other during their time together to prolong the excitement. When Timby had to return home, they broke up via their long-distance calls, but the experience left them both wanting more.

The couple decided to reunite and share their story with their respective communities. They filmed a video of their first meeting, which went viral on TikTok, attracting attention from Irish cafes, tourist destinations, and local Gaelic sports clubs in Colorado. Their story has now inspired others to follow in their footsteps and visit the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival.