By Michelle Crean

As the saying goes, "marry your best friend" - and that's just what one local couple plan to do as they got engaged this week.

Well known restaurateur Denis Murphy surprised The Brehon Hotel's General Manager Sinead McCarthy with a ring when he got down on one knee - leaving her completely speechless.

Denis, who runs Murphy Brownes on High Street with friend and business partner Deirdre Browne, was on a staycation with Sinead when he made the surprise proposal.

But it's been a long time coming for the best friends who have known each other since their college days.

Both met studying hospitality in CIT in 2002 as they were on the same course.

Then Denis took a summer position in the then newly opened Brehon Hotel while Sinead worked in The Plaza, and while here they shared a house in Woodlawn Road as friends.

Then it was back to college for another while and the friends parted ways, Sinead working in various hotels around the country over the next few years, and Denis on cruise ships.

"When I'd come back home on holidays we'd always make a point of catching up," Denis told the Killarney Advertiser.

Then it came full circle as seven years ago Sinead moved back to Killarney as Bar Manager in The Brehon and a year later Denis took up the role of Manager in The Grand.

Once again the friends shared a house, this time in Bridgefield where they still live today, but after two years they realised they were more than just friends.

"I proposed in Druid's Glen, I even had the bottle of champagne hiding in Sinead's car! And while people often say we finish each other's sentences I can proudly say the proposal, which included the help of the hotel staff, completely caught Sinead off guard!"

He added that many customers only this week realised that himself and Deirdre are just good friends, and that she is still on the market!