LISDOONVARNA, nine miles south of Ballyvaughan and five miles inland from Doolin, is most notable for its month-long matchmaking festival held annually in September. The origins of the festival lie with the farmers who would come down after the harvest from the hills to spend their hard-earned cash and look for a wife in a festival of singing, dancing and drinking. It remains popular with a middle-aged crowd who come along for all manner of merry making, so if you want to be here in September, book your accommodation well ahead.