Ireland is the birthplace of Valentine's Day, where not only romantic love stories abound, but also breathtaking natural scenery, rich historical heritage, and warm, friendly customs. After immigrating to Ireland, if you wish to learn about life in Ireland and yearn for the love stories here, let us search for the love marks left by people together!
Love Mark Step 1
Wicklow: Reliving Romantic Movie Scenes
The movie "Leap Year" not only chronicles the journey of the female protagonist Anna in search of love but also showcases the beautiful landscapes of Ireland. The highlight of the wedding scene in the film was shot in Wicklow. The daytime lakes, green fields, white tents, and whiskey, along with the Irish music, organ, and Guinness at night, gather all happiness and joy. Wicklow is known as "the Garden of Ireland," and its natural scenery can be described as perfect. Endless green shades and breathtaking views allow visitors to enjoy horseback riding, hiking, or golfing.
In addition to beautiful scenery, charming villages, and pristine beaches, Wicklow is also a historical site with elegant villas and gardens. Among its rolling, lush peaks, one can find beautiful gorges, cascading waterfalls, and lakes that shimmer like mirrors. Wicklow not only appears in "Leap Year" but is also a filming location for another Hollywood movie, "P.S. I Love You."
Tip: Wicklow is a county in Ireland located on the eastern coast of the island. July and August are the best times to visit Wicklow, with warm weather and many grand festivals taking place during this period.
Love Mark Step 2
Claddagh: Encircling Happiness with a Ring
No proposal is complete without a ring, which symbolizes a promise. The ring used by the male protagonist to propose to the female protagonist in the Hollywood movie "Leap Year" is the special Irish ring—the Claddagh ring. The Claddagh ring originated in the 17th century in the fishing village of Claddagh, located just outside the old city walls of Galway. 400 years ago, a talented goldsmith named Richard Joyce in Galway designed a famous ring that immediately caused a sensation and was highly sought after. Since it came from the fishing village of Claddagh, the ring was named the Claddagh ring, which is also part of Ireland's cultural heritage.
The Claddagh ring comes in many colors and materials, but its overall design features two hands holding a heart, with a crown above the heart. It symbolizes "Let love and friendship reign supreme," and this poetic declaration has allowed a legend about the ring to endure in Ireland for over 400 years. Encircling each other's fingers with a Claddagh ring signifies capturing a lifetime of happiness together. Traditionally, wearing the Claddagh ring with the crown facing the fingertips indicates that one is in a relationship or married, while wearing it with the heart facing the fingertips signifies being single.
Tip: Galway is the fourth largest city in Ireland, located on the western coast of the island. The city is picturesque, with lakes, rivers, bridges, and medieval-style buildings complementing each other. Public transportation in Galway is very convenient, with rail and road connections to the capital, Dublin, allowing for easy travel by train or bus.
Love Mark Step 3
Cliffs of Moher: Witnessing Vows of Love
The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most popular attractions, located in County Clare in the southwest of Ireland. The lowest point, "Hag's Head," has an elevation of 120 meters (390 feet) and attracts nearly a million visitors each year. Due to their magnificent visual effects, the Cliffs of Moher have become a prime filming location for many music videos. In 2000, Westlife's signature hit "My Love" was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher, perfectly complementing the music, cliffs, coast, and album title "Coast to Coast," achieving global sales of 7.6 million copies. Additionally, Maroon 5's "Runaway" and Rich Mullins' "The Color Green" were also filmed here. As the highest cliffs in Europe, facing the vast Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher serve as the perfect setting for declarations of love. In the movie "Leap Year," the pivotal proposal scene was filmed at the Cliffs of Moher. The waves, sunset, and Claddagh ring convey deep affection without words.
Tip: The Cliffs of Moher are the highest cliffs in Europe, facing the vast Atlantic Ocean and renowned for their dramatic scenery. They are also one of Ireland's most important seabird habitats, with over 30,000 seabirds breeding there each year, and many rare plant species grow on the cliffs.