A Love Story Straight Out of the Movies
Every once in a while, life gives you a moment so perfect, so full of emotion, that it feels like it could’ve been written by Hollywood itself. You know the kind of scene I’m talking about. Boy meets girl, they fall in love, and then the boy plans the most incredible proposal. You’re on the edge of your seat, hoping everything works out. Well, hold tight, because I’ve got a story just like that, only it didn’t happen on a movie screen—it happened in the heart of Ireland
The Message That Started It All
It was 2022 when I first got a message from Finn. A guy from Philadelphia had stumbled upon my Instagram, and he sent me a simple note:
"Hey man, love your images. Just wondering if you can help me out?"
Naturally, I was curious, so I replied: "Sure, Finn, what do you need?" What came next was a journey I’ll never forget. He told me he was planning to propose to his girlfriend, Nicole, during their trip to Ireland. He needed the perfect spot—something breathtaking, something that would make this moment unforgettable.
We got to chatting, and Finn mentioned something that changed the entire direction of the proposal. Nicole, he said, was a massive Star Wars fan. Suddenly, there was only one place in my mind: Skellig Michael—the wild, remote island that served as Luke Skywalker’s hideout in the films. It was perfect. But, as all great love stories go, things weren’t about to unfold so easily.
The Skellig Michael Plan and a Race Against Time
For weeks, Finn and I stayed in touch. The excitement was building. I could feel the weight of what he was planning, the nerves and the anticipation. This wasn’t just any proposal—it was epic. Everything was set for Skellig Michael, a location that would make any Star Wars fan swoon. But then, disaster struck.
Just a few days before their trip, Finn messaged me in a full-blown panic.
"James, Skellig Michael has fallen through. The weather’s bad. We can’t go. What do I do now?"
I could practically feel his heart sinking through the phone. All his plans, everything he had imagined, were crumbling. But you know what? That’s the magic of Ireland. When one door closes, there’s always another waiting to be opened.
The Last-Minute Shift: Enter the Gap of Dunloe
Without missing a beat, I told Finn about The Gap of Dunloe. This is one of those places that defies words—a rugged, untamed mountain pass that seems to belong in another world. Winding roads, towering peaks, and views that make you feel like you’re standing in a painting. It was perfect. Better, maybe, than even Skellig Michael.
The weather might’ve stopped him from taking Nicole to the cliffs, but the Gap of Dunloe? That’s where magic happens. And just like that, we had a new plan.
The Wishing Bridge and a Photographer's Dilemma
The new plan was set. Finn would propose on the Wishing Bridge—a small, beautiful stone bridge nestled between the mountains of the Gap. My job? I’d be there, hiding in plain sight, ready to capture every moment. The excitement was overwhelming. Finn was a bundle of nerves, and I could feel the weight of the moment as I raced to get there in time.
Now, let me paint the scene for you. The Gap of Dunloe is one of those places where you feel impossibly small. Surrounded by the towering MacGillycuddy’s Reeks to the west and Purple Mountain to the east, it’s like you’ve stepped into another time. The landscape stretches on, seemingly endless, with long, narrow roads twisting and turning through the mountains. It’s breathtaking, but in that wild, untamed kind of way.
As I pulled up to the Wishing Bridge, my heart was pounding. Where would I hide? There were no trees, no bushes—just open space and towering cliffs. And then, fate intervened. Two bikers—fellow tourists—pulled up at the same time. They saw me pacing, camera in hand, and asked what was going on. I told them the plan, and before I knew it, they were in. These guys were now part of the cast, and we were about to create something unforgettable.
The Moment of Truth
With the bikers covering me, we waited for Finn and Nicole. My heart was racing, but I wasn’t the only one. When Finn’s car appeared, you could see the nerves all over his face. He led Nicole out of the car, and together, they strolled towards the bridge. She had no idea what was about to happen.
Standing there, in the middle of the Wishing Bridge, they paused to take in the stunning view of the Gap of Dunloe. You could see them laughing, holding each other, completely wrapped up in the moment. Behind them, we were ready—two video men and one photographer, capturing every frame like a well-rehearsed scene.
And then, the moment happened.
Finn took a deep breath, got down on one knee, and asked Nicole to marry him. Time seemed to freeze. You could feel the weight of it, the emotion, the pure love pouring out of that moment. Nicole’s face lit up, tears streaming down her cheeks as she said yes. They were so lost in the moment, they didn’t even notice us behind them, documenting every single frame.
The Celebration and the Unexpected Fame
After the proposal, we celebrated right there on the bridge. The two bikers, who had now become part of this story, let out a roar of celebration. We all moved in closer, snapping photos, capturing every smile, every tear, every piece of joy that filled the air.
But the story didn’t end there. As soon as I got home, I posted about what had just happened. Within minutes, the story went viral. The Kerry papers were on to me, asking for Finn and Nicole’s details, desperate to tell the world about this incredible proposal. I messaged Finn to ask if he was okay with it, and before long, their love story was all over the news.
When they got to Dublin, people were recognizing them. “Hey, aren’t you the couple from the paper?” Finn texted me, laughing about how surreal it all was. They had become famous—two people brought together by love and a little bit of Irish magic.
The Perfect Ending
As I look back on that day, I can’t help but smile. What started with a simple Instagram message became something none of us expected—a moment so perfect it felt like a movie. A proposal on a remote Irish bridge, strangers coming together to help, and a story that captured the hearts of everyone who heard it.
Thank you, Finn and Nicole. Thank you for letting me be part of your story. It was an honor to witness such pure love, and I’d gladly do it all over again. Sometimes, the best love stories are the ones that take a few unexpected twists—and yours? Yours was unforgettable.
