The Matchmaker: former Limerick student Claire follows in her father Willie's footsteps
A FORMER student at Limerick School of Art and Design is following in her fathers footsteps by trying to find true love for those unable to find a partner.
Claire Daly, who found love early in life with her soulmate, County Limerick's Brian Richardson, a pilot with Ryanair, is now trying to ensure everyone is as happy as she is with her partner, whose family are very well know "doggy people from Doon".
"My dad, Willie Daly, is third generation matchmaker and one of the only traditional matchmakers left in Ireland. I have decided to join the family tradition and become a matchmaker. I have had a great response. The people who are contacting me are looking to find their perfect match to settle down get married and have children, or I have a lot of people who are simply looking for a companion," says Claire, whose mother, Marie Ambrose, hails from Killeedy Cross, Newcastle West,
Claire travelled much of the world after her time in Limerick, and then opened a restaurant in Ennistymon for 12 years, but now is concentrating on matchmaking.
She is expecting plenty of Limerick folk in Lisdoonvarna during September when the bachelor festival brings young and old, people in their twenties to older people who have split up or whose husbands or wives have died, to the Clare town yearning for love. She will be operating out of the appropriately named Matchmaker Pub.
"Many of those people are widowed or are true bachelors, but the majority are separated, have reared their children and want to start enjoying their lives and meet someone to go on holidays, out for dinner, the cinema, or daytrips to the coast," she added.
She has opened a website – thematchmakersdaughter.com – when you can find out how it works.
"I send out a matchmaking questionaire. They return it with a current photo. I go through it in detail and then phone them for a chat to get to know them better. When I have found them their perfect match I will send their details and then the he or she can arrange a date. The people are aged from 30 to 75, some farmers, but not as much as before with more people having jobs or careers," she said.
Claire is the oldest of seven children and was reared on a pony farm on the west coast of Clare.
"After school I went to art college in Limerick in 1990 following which I travelled the globe for a few years. Eventually, I returned home and opened a restaurant in Ennistymon. Now I have decided to follow in my dads footsteps He is delighted.
"He isn't retiring as he will be a matchmaker for ever because he loves it. I get to meet all kinds of people from all walks of life. I also think it's so important to keep this unique tradition going, as so many people are looking for love. What's the point of having everything and no one to share it with." Love keeps you young and it adds excitement and balance to your life,” she said.
Claire is also organising a dance in the Old Ground in Ennis on November 6, which she described as a ballroom of romance with a modern twist.
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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