Single men in Toronto, take note: at matchmaker nights at the Ceili Cottage, women far outnumber the men.
Patrick McMurray, owner of the Irish oyster and alehouse on Queen East, has been holding informal matchmaking nights every Wednesday since the restaurant opened in June. It’s a long-standing tradition in Irish farming communities, says McMurray, where village elders would connect local lads and lasses.
At the Ceili Cottage, McMurray conducts brief interviews with eligible men and women, then connects those he thinks most compatible.
"It’s not done electronically, there are no photographs…. This is sort of old school," he says.
The connections don’t necessarily happen on the spot. If McMurray thinks romance might be in the offing, he’ll call each single a few days later and arrange a meeting. Where, exactly? The Ceili Cottage. (He is a businessman, after all.)
But lately, McMurray’s noticed a trend: his "Book of Girls" has about 20 names while his "Book of Boys" has only six.
The reason? The best McMurray can figure is what men and women have known for eons.
"Boys are dumb. I’m one of them, I can say that," says McMurray. "We are a dumb lot. And yet I’m trying to help you out here but we’ve got no one coming up to bat."
If you care to step up to the plate, head over to 1301 Queen St. E this evening. Matchmaking gets underway sometime after 5 p.m.
