There are some questions I get asked a lot as a tour guide.
Where’s the best place to see the Cliffs of Moher?
Where can you get the best pint?
And, every now and then… “Ollie, where would you propose in Ireland?”
Now, I’m no relationship expert. I’ll leave that to the professionals! But after spending years travelling around Ireland with visitors, I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a place feel special.
And if you’re thinking about popping the question in Ireland, you’re in for a treat.
Ireland has no shortage of proposal spots
The great thing about proposing in Ireland is that you don’t need a fancy hotel ballroom or an elaborate setup to make the moment memorable.
We’ve got dramatic cliffs, beautiful beaches, ancient castles, quiet country roads, lakes, mountains and little corners of the country that look like they’ve been designed specifically for a romantic film.
But here’s my first bit of advice:
Don’t just pick somewhere because it looks good in a photograph.
Pick somewhere that feels right for the two of you.
Maybe your other half loves the sea. Maybe they’re mad about Irish history. Maybe you’ve always talked about visiting Ireland together. Or maybe you just want somewhere spectacular where you can take a deep breath, get down on one knee and try not to forget what you were going to say!
That last one happens more than you’d think.
The Cliffs of Moher – difficult to beat
If you want dramatic, Ireland has you covered.
The Cliffs of Moher are one of those places where you arrive, look out across the Atlantic and think, “Yep… this’ll do.”
Standing high above the Atlantic with the cliffs stretching into the distance is pretty hard to beat for a proposal. And when the weather plays ball, it can be absolutely magical.
Of course, Ireland being Ireland, you can’t always guarantee sunshine and blue skies. But personally, I think a bit of Irish weather adds character!
There’s something very special about standing together on the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way, looking out over one of Ireland’s most famous landscapes, and knowing that you’re about to start the next chapter together.
Keep the proposal personal
Here’s something I’d recommend to anyone planning a proposal:
Don’t overthink it.
You don’t need to choreograph every second.
Some of the best proposals are simple. A beautiful location, the two of you, a few heartfelt words and that very important little box in your pocket.
If you’re nervous, that’s normal. In fact, if you’re not nervous, I’d be slightly concerned!
And don’t worry if everything doesn’t go exactly according to plan. The funny moments often become the stories you tell for years afterwards.
“Remember when I nearly dropped the ring?”
“Remember when it started raining?”
“Remember when Ollie was trying to keep the surprise going while you were asking why we were standing over here?”
Those are the memories.
Want a little help with the big moment?
For anyone who likes the idea of having the location, transport and a few of the details taken care of, we also have a proposal package here at Ollie’s Tours, based around the Cliffs of Moher.
It’s designed for couples who want to make the occasion feel like a proper experience rather than simply arriving, taking a photo and heading off again.
I won’t give you the full sales pitch here, that’s not really my style!
But if you’re planning to propose and would like a hand making the day a little more special, it’s an option worth having a look at.
Sometimes having a local who knows the area, knows the best spots and can help take some of the pressure off is exactly what you need.
Especially when you’re already worrying about what you’re going to say!
Think beyond the proposal
One of my favourite things about proposing in Ireland is that the proposal doesn’t have to be the whole day.
Make a day of it.
Explore the coastline. Find somewhere lovely for lunch. Have a drink afterwards. Take some photographs. Enjoy the scenery. And, most importantly, give yourselves time to actually take in what just happened.
Because once they say yes, you’ll probably be on cloud nine anyway!
Ireland is a pretty special place to begin a new chapter together, and whether you choose the Cliffs of Moher, a quiet beach, a castle, a mountain or somewhere completely unexpected, the most important thing is that it means something to you both.
And if you’re standing there with a ring in your pocket, your heart pounding and absolutely no idea what to say…
Just remember: you’ve got this.
And if all else fails, blame the Irish weather. Have a look at my Cliffs of Moher Proposal Package here.
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