Amy & Steve: A romantic fairytale complete with castle
Written by Jane on Jul 17, 2026 | 0 Comments
It's been a few months since we've shared one of our lovely customers' stories but we assure you the wait is worth it.
This is a tale about romantic gestures, and we’ve had the good fortune to watch this love story develop through our jewelry. We first encountered Steve all the way back in 2023, when he selected a romantic Celtic love knot bracelet for his then girlfriend Amy for Christmas. Earrings for her and a claddagh ring for both of them were to follow.
His and her's claddagh rings. Amy jokes that “these are the rings that started it all.” They selected them in our showroom in Sandyford when they were visiting Dublin in 2024. They enjoyed a great chat with Gemma and were delighted with their romantic mementos of their trip. Amy tells us she still wears her Claddagh on her right hand.
So it’s only natural that when Steve planned a surprise proposal in 2025, and with an engagement ring made especially for them here in Dublin and hand delivered with great secrecy by Ciarán to their hotel, we just had to share their story! This romantic fairytale even has a castle! More on that later, we are getting ahead of ourselves and really should start at the beginning. Amy graciously shares their story below:
The Road to Romance
Steve and I met via Bumble, an online dating app, in March of 2022. I had contacted him without realizing he was living in Delaware, which is a little over two hours away from where I lived in Pennsylvania.
We talked on the phone that first evening, which happened to be a Friday. We talked for several hours the next day, and he suggested a date… for the next day! He was willing to make the drive to meet me in person, even though I had offered to meet him half-way.
The path to true love can be filled with all sorts of obstacles, and in Amy and Steve's case a long drive and several tolls! We are quite sure that Steve is glad he made that initial chivalrous gesture given where this particular road lead!
Photo Credit: Ben Schumin (CC BY-SA 2.0)
I suggested a local restaurant. To say we hit it off on that first date is an understatement. The conversation flowed easily as we talked about various topics of interest. We then headed to a local park to walk, and then cuddled on a bench overlooking a lake. When he kissed me, he made my toes curl, lol! It was a lovely start to our relationship!
A Romantic Proposal
Steve and I returned to Ireland again in the summer of 2025.... We made some plans, but intentionally kept a few days free so we could see where the day took us. One destination was definite, however. We were going to Blarney Castle so we could stroll through the gardens.
Blarney Castle and gardens are a must see stop for anyone that finds themselves in Cork.
Steve had seen them on his visit with his daughter in 2023, and wanted me to experience them. We decided to head to the castle on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. We bypassed the line for the Blarney Stone, and headed to the right, wandering down a path that led to the Fern Garden.
The Fern Garden in Blarney Castle Gardens is an otherworldly spot filled with tree ferns, that would feel right at home in the Jurassic! Soft dappled light and lovely stillness prevails - a transporting place and the perfect prelude to a proposal.
Photo Credit: Blarney Castle and Gardens
We stumbled upon a lovely field of wildflowers towards the back of the grounds, and heard the hum of bees near the kitchen gardens! The scent of those flowers was intoxicating! We continued to wander, and eventually wound up towards the back of the castle. There, Steve guided me towards an arbor that he had seen when he'd been visiting in 2023. This time, though, it was longer and filled with even more flowers. I was enchanted, and stopped to take pictures every few steps.
A tunnel or beautifully scented roses flanked by herbaceous flowers at the foot of a Castle is just about the most romantic spot you can find.
Photo Credit: Blarney Castle and Gardens
Once we were about half-way down the path, and no other visitors were about, Steve took hold of my elbow to get my attention. He said, "Amy, I have an important question to ask you." My response..."What?!?" I did not realize what he meant until he started to bend down on one knee! He proposed, and I asked him if he even had to ask, lol. "Of course!" was my reply. Steve then took my hand, and placed a stunning ring on my finger, one engraved with both Claddaghs and Celtic Knots on the band. To say it was special is an understatement. The moment was one of the most magical of my life. After kissing and hugging for quite some time, reality set in as passersby walked towards us. In my excitement, I told them Steve had just proposed. They laughed at my exuberance, and wished us well. For several hours afterwards, both of us were floating on air.
The Claddagh and Celtic Knot's on the band of the stunning solitaire Steve chose for Amy symbolizes an eternal bond filled with love, loyalty and friendship. Romantic stuff indeed!
Why an Irish ring?
Steve contacted Gemma to help choose my engagement ring. She was his first and only choice! The connection we made with Gemma when we first visited Ireland together in 2024 was... magical! She is such a treasure! As to why we picked an Irish ring, well, there really wasn't another choice. Ireland is our happy place.
Gemma was delighted to chat with the happy couple back in 2024. And we agree with Amy completely that Gemma is a treasure. Gem by name Gem by nature we suppose!
Would you recommend Ireland as a romantic spot?
Ireland is sooo romantic! The old world charm along with modern spaces makes a wanderer feel welcome just about anywhere in Ireland. Blarney Castle Gardens happened to be special to Steve and me, but there are so many more castles and rustic spots in and near the countryside that are just as or even more romantic! We definitely advise other travelers to plan a few days when you can rest and just wander with no definite plans, if possible. You'll find the most amazing people and adventures!
Any advice for other couples?
Advice for others?!? Be each other's best friend. Be honest. Be kind. Be loving. Be Spontaneous. Be sexy. Be supportive. Be yourself. And if you can't be these things with your life partner, then maybe that person isn't meant to be your life partner. The most important piece of advice, though?!? Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!
Comhghairdeas!
Thank you to the lovely couple for generously sharing their gorgeous story with us and of course for trusting us with such important jewelry. We hope you will join us in congratulating them on their engagement wishing them nothing but luck for their big day at the end of July. We are quite sure the road ahead leads to a lifetime of love, loyalty, and friendship together. It is an understatement to say that everyone here at My Irish Jeweler is thrilled to see Amy and Steve so happy after watching this story develop over the past few years. Congratulations! Comhghairdeas! And here's to romance!
Romantic Gestures
If you are looking to make a romantic gesture of your own, whether that be with a symbolic gift, or an engagement or wedding ring, Gemma and our team are here to help. We love nothing more than finding the perfect piece and symbolism to mark a special moment. Drop us an email, give us a call, or take advantage of our in person or virtual appointment service.
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Jane
My Irish Jeweler
Born in Dublin but reared in Canada, as a child I had an interest in Ireland that will be familiar to many young emigrants. I was completely fascinated, wanting to know all about the land of my parents and grandparents. Rare month-long family trips back "Home" cemented my love for Ireland. And I wore my Irish heritage with pride, sporting my tiny silver Claddagh gifted to me by my Irish grandparents until my finger grew too large for it!
As a young adult I moved back to Dublin, studying Geology and Mineralogy in university at historic Trinity College Dublin. After living in Denmark and the Netherlands working as a scientist and university mineralogy lecturer, I finally settled back home in Dublin. I joined the growing family at My Irish Jeweler in 2016, bringing my useful knowledge of metals and minerals as well as my perspective as an Irish emigrant with a love for HOME.
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