The annual Quiet Man Gathering, in the town of Cong, County Mayo, are launching an “X Factor” style search for Ireland’s best Michaeleen Flynn lookalike.

The matchmaker, played by Barry Fitzgerald, brings Sean Thornton and Mary Kate Danaher (John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara’s characters) together in the beloved 1952 movie.

The Cong festival already found Ireland’s best John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara doubles and now they’re seeking out the best Michaeleen Flynn.

The festival organiser Paddy Rock told the Irish Independent, “It was Michaeleen who put the two together in the film and we want him to be there for the unveiling of a new statue to Wayne and O'Hara.

"We're looking to bring the trio back together again for the weekend."

Organizers of the festival are planning to hold auditions over the coming weeks, ahead of the October gathering.

Rock said, “Michaeleen will be meeting and greeting the people who come to the Cong.

"He will be an ambassador for the festival. He needs to have a good turn of wit, be able to adapt himself easily to new surroundings and he will have to have knowledge of the film."

The lookalike will be aged between 55 and 65, be a “local village character” and look like Michaeleen. The winner will enjoy the three-day festival, all expenses paid.

Rock added, “He'll be famous for those three days anyway, and after that who knows what will happen.”

This year the festival will unveil a specially commissioned life-sized bronze statue of Wayne and O’Hara as their “Quiet Man” characters.

Now in its third years the festival dedicated to the John Forde movie will include set dancing classes, ceilis and tours of the key locations. There will also be a special screening of the movie.
The Quiet Man festival will run from Friday October 4 to 6.