Love on the Rock for American couple

IT MUST be love when a man travels 3,000 miles to propose marriage in the heart of Laois.

American Steve O’Ferrall boarded a flight and crossed the Atlantic on a secret mission – to propose to the love of his life at her favourite place in the world.

The fairy tale unfolded on the Rock of Dunamase, when Steve gallantly got down on one knee to plight his troth to Campbell Snoddy (23), a granddaughter of Ballylinan resident Anne Brennan Campbell.

As one of very few family members in on the secret, Anne was delighted when the newly-engaged couple returned to her home after their romantic encounter on the Rock.

Anne said: “From the USA to the Rock of Dunamase, my granddaughter Campbell’s now-fiancé Steve travelled to propose. I do believe he's now her rock!” 

While the young couple live in Maryland, Campbell visits Ireland every year with her mother Fiona Snoddy (née Campbell), when they travel all over the country to immerse themselves in their Irish heritage, often joined by Campbell’s dad Richard, brother Ian and Steve in more recent years.

Anne told the Laois Nationalist: “They travel everywhere but it’s a family tradition that they have to visit the Rock of Dunamase whenever they’re in Ireland, no matter what. It’s Campbell’s favourite location in the world and such a special place.” 

One of a family of 14 originally from Slatt, near The Swan, Anne moved to England in the 1960s where she married Scotsman William Campbell. They lived in South Africa, where their three children were born, from 1967 until 1996 before returning to England.

They eventually built a house in Anne’s homeplace of Slatt in 2002 and lived happily there until William passed away in 2017.

Their daughter Fiona met American Richard Snoddy while living in South Africa and they settled in Maryland after getting married in 1994. Their Laois heritage has always been an important part of family life.

Since childhood, Campbell has loved the magical setting of the Rock of Dunamase. After romance blossomed with Steve, he visited the legendary site with her and was overwhelmed by its majestic beauty. He knew there was only one place in the world to ask her to be his bride.

When mother and daughter arrived in Laois during their usual visit, shortly before the May bank holiday weekend, Campbell had no idea of the impending drama that was known only to her parents and grandmother. It was an unexpected but wonderful surprise when Steve suddenly appeared and swept her off her feet at the Rock on Monday 27 April.

Anne said: “He had the engagement ring and got down on one knee to ask her to marry him, after flying all the way from the USA just to propose. It was very romantic and will always be a beautiful memory for them.” 

Campbell is a district retail manager in Maryland while Steve works in IT, so both have busy lives as they begin to plan their wedding next year, at a location yet to be decided. The next family celebration will be Campbell’s 24th birthday in July.

Meanwhile, family research has revealed an appropriate twist in the fairy tale, as Steve’s ancestors have a distant but intriguing connection with the Rock of Dunamase.

Until the late 16th century, the Rock was owned by the famous O'More family headed by Rory O’More, who became Lord of Laois, before they moved to Kildare in 1574 on land granted by Elizabeth I.

In the mid-18th century, an O'More bride married an O'Ferrall and subsequently took the surname More O'Ferrall. Descended from two aristocratic Irish families, the More O’Ferralls combined with the marriage in 1751 of Dublin banker Richard Ferrall and Letitia O’More, heiress of the Balyna, Enfield, Co Kildare estate.

Among a number of famous descendants, Sir Richard More O’Ferrall emerged as a champion of religious toleration and independence in the 1840s. According to some historical accounts, the More O'Ferralls declined a peerage in the 17th century and later a baronetcy in the 19th but still have the right to use their Irish title, Lord of Laois.

Anne said: “With Laois so important to Campbell’s family heritage, it was amazing to discover a connection between the O’Ferralls and the O’Mores going back hundreds of years. I suppose you could say it’s the icing on the (wedding) cake!”