The moment this man made the ultimate romantic marriage proposal during Derry festival

Watch the moment a visitor to Derry got down on one knee and proposed to his beloved girlfriend after enlisting the help from the team behind Derry’s Illuminate Festival.
By Brendan McDaid
Published 27th Feb 2022, 18:59 BST
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The magical moment was caught on video by Derry City & Strabane District Council and has captured the hearts of people across Ireland and beyond this weekend, proving romance is very much alive in the Derry air.

Newry man Benny Marmion had it all planned out before heading to Derry for the festival with his long-term girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza.

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The words ‘Mariane will you marry me?’ blazed across the Guildhall as the Festival came to a standstill on Saturday night.

Benny Mamoin, from Newry, proposes to his girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza with the help of the projections onto the City's Guildhall during the Illuminate Festival. Photo Lorcan DohertyBenny Mamoin, from Newry, proposes to his girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza with the help of the projections onto the City's Guildhall during the Illuminate Festival. Photo Lorcan Doherty
Benny Mamoin, from Newry, proposes to his girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza with the help of the projections onto the City's Guildhall during the Illuminate Festival. Photo Lorcan Doherty

A stunned Mariane said yes to a huge round of applause from those who witnessed the scene.

Speaking afterwards, Benny said the Illuminate Festival was the perfect backdrop.

“I want to thank the Council team and Visual Spectrum for making this happen this evening, it really made the moment even more special. We love the city so it just seemed like the perfect place for a proposal, and the Illuminate festival brought some extra magic.”

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Congratulating the newly betrothed couple, Mayor Graham Warke had a proposal of his own: “If they’re looking for a wedding venue then of course the Guildhall could be the perfect place for the ceremony!” he laughed, adding: “I’m thrilled that Illuminate was able to add that extra bit of sparkle to their special moment.”

Benny Mamoin, from Newry, proposes to his girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza with the help of the projections onto the City's Guildhall during the Illuminate Festival. Photo Lorcan DohertyBenny Mamoin, from Newry, proposes to his girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza with the help of the projections onto the City's Guildhall during the Illuminate Festival. Photo Lorcan Doherty
Benny Mamoin, from Newry, proposes to his girlfriend Mariane Freitas de Souza with the help of the projections onto the City's Guildhall during the Illuminate Festival. Photo Lorcan Doherty

The Illuminate Festival has been running in the City for two weekends, and is supported by Tourism Northern Ireland as part of its Embrace A Giant Spirit campaign. A festival first for Derry, the event is a celebration of the City’s history dramatically brought to life in a series of 3D animations projected on to historic landmarks scattered throughout the City Centre.

Illuminate continues to light up the city centre for this evening, Sunday Feb 27, from 6pm – 9pm.

Related topics:DerryStrabane District CouncilDerry CityIrelandNewry