A BOYFRIEND surprised his girlfriend with an elaborate proposal on one of Cork city’s most famous landmarks.
Ian Johnston gave Niamh Murray the shock of her life at the weekend when he directed her to look out the window of their fifth-floor apartment on Cork’s Lavitt’s Quay, directly across from the famous Shandon Bells Tower.
He told her that some sort of protest was happening atop the Shandon Bells Tower, and handed her a set of binoculars so she could get a clear look.
What she saw was members of their families stood on top of the tower holding up a giant sign which read, ‘Niamh Will You Marry Me’.
Thankfully, after all of Ian’s effort, she said yes.
(Picture: Facebook)The Shandon Bells Tower of St Anne’s Church is a much-loved landmark in the heart of Cork city. The church was built between 1722 and 1726 and overlooks the entire city.
Speaking on local radio station C103. Niamh said: “He told me we were going for lunch and I was in the bedroom getting ready and he came in and said, ‘There’s something weird going in at Shandon Bells’.
“So I went out and looked up and our whole family were holding this big sign that said, ‘Will you marry me?
“And then I turned around then and he was down on one knee.
“It was private because it was just the two of us in the apartment but our whole family were up there so it was great.”
When asked if she had any idea the proposal was coming, Niamh admitted: “I did actually because a few days before he had told me to get my nails done so that was a big sign.
“And then I rang him on Friday night and he was cleaning the apartment at 10 o’clock so that was another big sign.
“But I didn’t know it was going to be to that scale.”
The priest-in-charge of Saint Anne’s, Reverend Sarah Marry, told Cork’s Evening Echo: “It was such a lovely idea we were delighted to facilitate them. The family were so excited if a little windswept! All of us in the parish wish them every blessing and send them hearty congratulations!”
