A Notre Dame fan from Texas brought his girlfriend to Ireland’s most romantic castle, Kylemore Abbey, in Connemara, Galway, to propose to her, instead of attending Saturday’s Emerald Isle Classic at the Aviva Stadium.

Christopher Reed Heim (27), a Notre Dame mad fan, surprised his girlfriend Rachel Ann McGuinness, but it was no big surprise to the management at the Abbey that he chose this spot.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, Brid Connell, marketing manager at the Kylemore Abbey said, “We get lots of proposals here in Kylemore every year.

“It's kind of known as the most romantic castle in Ireland.”

Connell explained why the romantic groom had chosen this idyllic spot for his surprise proposal.

She said, “Rachel had had a poster of Kylemore Abbey in her classroom since she was ten, and she always wanted to get there.

“They were coming over for the game and didn't think they would have time. To surprise her, they got a car and drove down to the abbey.

"Christopher said Saturday's match was one of the best matches of his life but part of the reason for missing it was to show Rachel she was his passion, not just football."