Organisers of the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival admit the cancellation of the iconic event will deal a devastating blow to the local economy.
The event is the latest major festival here to be cancelled as a result of COVID-19, but it’s hoped it will return next year.
For over 160 years, the world-famous Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival has been helping people to find love.
But now, for the first time in living memory, it won’t go ahead this year.
The announcement comes after Phase Four of the easing of restrictions has been delayed, but this morning organiser Marcus White stated that even if the pubs had re-opened, then the festival would have been called off anyways.
Up to 80,000 people to Lisdoonvarna each September, and the event is worth in the region of 2.5 million euro to the local economy.
However, Marcus White stated today that social distancing would have been impossible to implement, and while he admits the decision to call off the event is devastating, he says health has to come first.
Organisers are remaining positive for next year though, and have booked the same acts that were due to perform this year for the 2021 festival.
For this year, however, there’s been a general acceptance of the cancellation of the event, which won’t come as a surprise.
Local Councillor Joe Garrihy believes people who were looking forward to the event will be hugely disappointed, but is confident there will be better days ahead.
