Wedding proposal leaves bride-to-be çine on a high

The Ardilaun Hotel has to be one of the most romantic places to work in the city, if not the country and it appears to be where love stories begin – and that’s among the staff!

Two members of the hotel’s staff have just announced their engagement. In any other workplace, that would be good news but probably par for the course in the Ardilaun, as they are now the ninth couple among its staff to get married.

Áine Flanagan and Nejib Gasmi are currently planning their wedding, which takes place in Tunisia in September of next year.

Nejib wanted to do something special so he proposed on top of Croagh Patrick recently, though unfortunately, the day was cloudy and misty and the usual spectacular view of Clew Bay was not to be seen. 

But Nejib only had eyes for Áine as he went down on one knee and presented her with a white gold and diamond ring. They had looked at rings and spoke about their future together, but Áine says she never dreamed he would propose in such a dramatic way.

“The climb was hard, especially the last part, and then there was no view. Everyone talks about the view, but Nejib says we have to go back again next year so we might see it then,” says Aine. 

Nejib, who came to the hotel 11 years ago from Tunisia, is determined that they will return to the Mayo mountain, as local superstition demands.

“I was ahead of Áine so I asked this woman, she was from Scotland, to take the photograph. I told her all about my plan to propose in the short time while Aine was making her way up the last part of the climb,” he explains.

Áine , from Knocknacarra works in the accounts department of the hotel while Nejib is the restaurant supervisor.

Áine started working in the hotel in 2007 and, within the year, their romance had started, but she says it was “a slow burner”.

And yes it happened at a staff social. There are about 100 people working in the hotel, sometimes more at the height of the Summer season, so there’s a good buzz in the workplace.

They are the ninth couple among the staff to ‘get together’ in the 50 year history of the hotel, which may well have a reunion of their former and current married staff before the year is out.

“Luckily, Áine accepted my proposal,” says Nejib who adds it would have been a very hard descent if she had refused!

Aine has already met Nejib’s family and they will be visiting again this Summer to formalise their wedding plans. Three of the nine couples had their wedding receptions in the Ardilaun, but Nejib was keen to hold it in his native country. . . and it will be a great opportunity for Áine’s extended family and friends to meet the Gasmi clan.

The young couple are also househunting in Galway as they are anxious to get their foot on the property ladder.

And, no doubt, the couple will celebrate their engagement with their work colleagues in the hotel where, who knows, another love story may be beginning to blossom.