A north Belfast woman took advantage of Leap Day yesterday to pop the question at the place she first set eyes on her beau three decades ago.
Maureen McGarrity (46) got down on bended knee to propose Malachy Houston at Belfast Castle - and the celebrations continued into the night as he said 'Yes'.
She told how she first met Malachy at the castle gates at the tender age of 12.
"We hit it off as friends and were in contact with each other until our late teens but then we lost touch. During that time we both got married to other people and had kids but our marriages ended in separation. Then three years ago we reconnected again and have been inseparable ever since."
Her proposal included a treasure hunt that took Malachy across Belfast to places that are special to the couple, finishing at the castle where 30 friends and family had gathered.
"It was very emotional when he arrived and when he got out of the car he looked like he was in total shock and we both had tears in our eyes," she said.
The proposal was arranged with the help of Tourism NI, following a competition to find the north's most romantic proposal idea.
