Feb.29th Leap Day
According to Irish tradition, February 29th (which only falls every four years in what’s known as a “Leap Year”), is the one day when it’s perfectly acceptable for a single lady to propose to the man of their liking. It seems we have ’ Saint Brigid, the female patron saint of Ireland, to thank for this welcomed tradition.
According to legend, Saint Brigid was complaining to Saint Patrick way back in the fifth century how unfair it was for women to have to wait for men to ask for their hand in marriage. Saint Patrick took pity on the ladies of the day and deemed it acceptable for the women of Ireland to propose in a leap year.
Back to modern-day, actress Amy Adams brought this little known tradition to light in the film Leap Year in 2010 . In the film, Anna Brady (played by Adams) travels to Dublin to propose to her boyfriend Jeremy on February 29 because, according to Irish tradition, a man who receives a marriage proposal on a leap day must accept it. As it turns out, Anna falls in love with someone else (an Irish man of course) and the two end up living happily ever after on the Dingle Peninsula in Co. Kerry. Such is the stuff of romantic comedies!
If you’ve been waiting for your “happily ever after”, wait no more because today is the day. Take matters into your own hands and pop the question. And, assuming the answer is a resounding “yes”, pop a bottle of Champagne and toast your future happiness with an Irish Black Velvet.
Black Velvet
4 ozs chilled Champagne
4 ozs chilled Guinness Stout
Method
- Pour the Guinness Stout into a fluted glass and top it with the Champagne. Serve immediately.
