Look-back on the Irish stars who got engaged in 2023

IT WAS a year full of love and a look ahead to ‘forever’ together for many famous Irish stars in 2023, as engagements were popping up left, right and centre!

A number of Irish influencers, musicians, broadcasters and sports stars got down on one knee (or said yes!) to their partners in 2023, with the most recent couple announcing their engagement just before ringing in 2024. 

Some of these newly-engaged couples include:

* Steve Garrigan, Kodaline

Steve and long-term girlfriend of 10 years, Diana Bunici, announced the news via Instagram, where the pair shared snaps together celebrating their news. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Steve Garrigan (@kodasteve)

The 35-year-old front-man of Irish rock/indie band Kodaline got down on one knee around Christmas time, with the pair sharing the news publicly on December 29. 

Steve said he was “excited, nervous and a little bit all over the place” prior to proposing, with his future wife Diana saying that she “ugly cried” from the moment she saw “the little red box”.

* Rozanna Purcell, influencer 

Former Miss Universe Rozanna got engaged in August to her partner, Zach Desmond, while on a summer getaway to the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare. 

The influencer/RTÉ 2fm star shared the news to her 578k Instagram followers and shared a range of snaps of the pair and her Chupi designer engagement ring. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by R O Z (@rozannapurcell)

The pair have been together since 2016, with Zach being the son of music moguls Denis Desmond and Caroline Downey, who run MCD Productions. 

* Zara King, Virgin Media star

In September, Zara announced that she got engaged to her mystery partner while on a staycation in Connemara. 

The news correspondent compiled snippets and photos of her experience into an Instagram reel to report her engagement. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zara King (@zaraking.news)

The journalist is a well-known face of the broadcaster as a news anchor and hosts a podcast The Group Chat with colleagues, Gavan Reilly and Richard Chambers.

* Sinead O'Brien 

Entrepreneur and influencer Sinead O'Brien got proposed to by her longterm partner Simon at an Andrea Bocelli concert in Berlin in October. 

The pair share a son, Jacob, and have since been sharing plans for their wedding which they are considering having abroad. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sinead O Brien (@sineadscurvystyle)

Limerick native Sinead owns her own shapewear and swimwear brand, Vacious by Sinead. 

* Doireann Garrihy, broadcaster 

On the last day of November, RTÉ 2fm breakfast host Doireann Garrihy got said 'yes' to the "love of her life", Mark Mehigan.

The broadcaster got engaged to her comedian partner and revealed the news via a picture which she shared to her 323k followers. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Doireann Garrihy (@doireanngarrihy)

The radio and tv personality is "so so grateful" for the support she received in 2023, and has said that herself and her future husband are now that "insufferable couple, who really love love". 

* Rob Kenny, fashion and lifestyle writer 

The future "Mr & Mr" Rob and partner Shane got engaged in August, with Rob branding it "the most magical few days".

PR agency owner Rob shared the news via a series of snaps of the couple while on holidays in the French Riviera, Cap d'Antibes. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rob Kenny (@robkenny_)

The couple have been together since 2019.

* Brian Fenton, GAA star

30-year-old Dublin GAA star Brian announced his engagement to girlfriend Katie Molloy just before Christmas, on December 23. 

The Footballer of the Year 2018 and 2020 took to social media to announce the news, where he captioned a picture of the two "the best win yet". 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brian Fenton (@brianfenton08)

Brian made his senior debut on the pitch for Dublin in 2015 and shared snaps of the engagement to his 37.7k followers.