February has 29 days just once every four years, and 2012 gives you one more day for romance, so why not make sure it’s special? What’s especially romantic about Leap Day? It’s ‘The Ladies’ Privilege’. In past centuries, when tradition dictated men were expected to propose marriage to women, Irish folklore tells us St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to balance these traditional roles by allowing women to propose to men just once every 4 years ~ on Leap Day. This is why it also is called ‘Bachelor’s Day’, and if a man refused a proposal from a woman on that day, he was expected to pay a penalty ~ sometimes this was a fine of £100, a silk gown, or 12 pairs of gloves so that the woman could hide the embarrassment of not wearing an engagement ring. How things have changed!

In honor of St. Bridget’s persuasive powers, we’ll give any lass who books a room for February 29 and successfully proposes here at the inn everything she needs to celebrate ~ a Romance in Progress privacy sign to hang on the door, silk rose petals strewn romantically in the room, chocolates, a bottle of bubbly served in silver champagne flutes to keep as a memento, and a two night honeymoon when they tie the knot! Please see our Leap Day Package for details.