2016 is a Leap Year and on Leap Day, February 29, tradition dictates that women can get down on bended knee and propose marriage to their partners.
To celebrate this tradition, Tourism Northern Ireland is launching a loved-up competition to find the country’s most romantic proposal idea and help make it happen for one lucky lady and her unsuspecting partner. The only stipulation is that the idea must be inspired by Northern Ireland including its wonderful countryside and landscapes, tourist attractions, history and people.
A proposal of marriage should be unforgettable, explained Rachel Quigg, Communications and Destination PR Officer, Tourism NI:
“We want to help one lucky lady plan a surprise proposal at one of Northern Ireland’s great beauty spots, like Mussenden Temple, or tourist attractions, like the Giant’s Causeway, that her partner will never forget! We will help to arrange everything including a few romantic surprises,” said Rachel.
The tradition of ladies asking their other half’s for their hand in marriage is said to date back to the time of St Brigid and St Patrick when legend has it that she struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men every four years as a way of balancing the traditional roles of men and women, in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar.
Rachel continued: “In order to win, the proposal idea must use Northern Ireland and its breath-taking scenery, award winning tourist attractions, hotels and restaurants, as the main inspiration.”
Northern Ireland has so much to offer that the proposal ideas could be endless, but Rachel has a few suggestions.
She said: “If your other half is a fan of our magnificent mountain ranges then maybe you can surprise them with a romantic dinner for two with a private butler, accompanied by a violinist, on top of Divis Mountain with staggering views over Belfast as your backdrop or the Sperrins in County Tyrone?
“Or what about a trip to one of Northern Ireland’s top attractions or beauty spots, like a cosy candle-lit boat trip for two on the Fermanagh lakes serenaded by a beautiful choir or how about getting down on one knee during a special tour of Mount Stewart with all your family there to meet you at the end?
“Is your other half a fan of Game of Thrones®? If so, perhaps a surprise proposal at one of the famous filming locations such as the Dark Hedges, Ballintoy Harbour, Cushendun Caves or Castle Ward.
“Or why not head to Tannaghmore in Craigavon, home to the Kissing Gate. Legend says when couples kiss over the gate they get married within a year, this could be followed by a delicious 5 course dinner cooked by a celebrity chef at an exclusive location,” concluded Rachel.is also home to the Kissing Gate. Legend has it that couples who kiss over the gate will get married within a yearTannaghmore is also home to the Kissing Gate. Legend has it that couples who kiss over the gate will get married within a year. Couples who have their wish fulfilled often return to pose for wedding photographs. Tannaghmore is also home to the Kissing Gate. Legend has it that couples who kiss over the gate will get married within a year. Couples who have their wish fulfilled often return to pose for wedding photographs. Tannaghmore is also home to the Kissing Gate. Legend has it that couples who kiss over the gate will get married within a year. Couples who have their wish fulfilled often return to pose for wedding photographs. Tannaghmore is also home to the Kissing Gate. Legend has it that couples who kiss over the gate will get married within a year. Couples who have their wish fulfilled often return to pose for wedding
To enter email your proposal idea to Tourism Northern Ireland in strictest confidence to marryme@duffyrafferty.com telling them in 200 words or less why your proposal, inspired by Northern Ireland, should be the winner. Closing date for entries is February 10. The winners will be required to take part in some publicity.
MAIN IMAGE > Miss Ireland, Sacha Livingstone, has used one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic estates, the stunning Mount Stewart and its gardens, as inspiration for her ‘proposal’ to model, James McDowell
