Oooooooh, Lisdoonvarna. Lisdoon-Lisdoon-Lisdoon-Lisdoonvarna. The matchmaking festival that many once thought of as a relic of Irish culture and was only known about in a song courtesy of Christy Moore is getting a makeover for one weekend only, and it's going to be homorific.

For the first time in it's 150 year history, the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival is hosting a lesbian and gay weekend dubbed 'The Outing', with the quaint Co. Clare town preparing to get decked out in rainbow flags as LGBT tourists hit the Whesht in search of love and lols over the weekend of August 30th to September 1st. Drag-High Queen of Ireland Panti will be on hand as Mistress of Ceremonies and 'Queen of Hearts', helping all those lovelorn gays find their prince/princess charming.

And in a lovely show of solidarity and the fact that Ireland is actually progressing into the 21st century, locals have come out with enthusiasm for the new arrivals, with fourth generation matchmaker Willie Daly ready to bring some new couples together, saying that 'Matchmaking has always been about love.' And the newcomers at the festival are also going to bring some new additions with them, as traditional céilís and tea dances will be side by side with drag shows and late night DJ sets. Basically it sounds like the most gas craic weekend going in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Win/win gays.