Marty gets down on bended knee to propose to Linda at 1,776 ft!
DD Exclusive: A Donegal man has become the first person in the world to propose marriage on top of America’s new Freedom Tower.
Marty Curran made the epic 104 storey climb to get down on one knee to ask girlfriend Linda Cribben to marry him – but almost didn’t make it.
Marty, from Letterkenny arranged the trip with friends working in the Port Authority.
But the well-known DJ admits his love for Linda almost never soared to new heights.
“We had to walk up the last three floors and I was green. I just wasn’t taking the height very well at all.
Linda accepts Marty’s proposal
“Linda suggested I stay where I was but I couldn’t allow her to go on without me.
“In the end I got through it and I was so glad that I did. It’s had to put into words what an amazing experience it was,” he said.
Marty had arranged everything in advance and bought a ‘promise ring’ at a Letterkenny jewellery shop before traveling to New York with Linda.
On St.Patrick’s Day morning, Martin was told the trip to the tower was on but could change because of the weather.
Martin had hoped the best he could get was up to the 80th floor as the top of the tower at 1,776 ft was still under construction and closed to the public.
Work on the One World Trade Centre (1WTC), which replaces the infamous Twin Towers, began in 2006 and will be completed at the end of this year.
The couple had to wear special hi-visibility jackets, glasses and construction hard hats.
The view from the scene of Marty and Linda’s special occasion
The couple took a lift to floor 35, then changed over to a hoist to floor 80 and then another hoist to floor 104. They then had to take the stairs to floor 105 – the roof!
“I couldn’t believe it when Jim turned to me and said we were going to have a very good view – from the top.
“Very few people have been to the top of the tower nevermind allowed brought up to propose marriage,” said Marty.
Jim gave Marty his cue and Marty did the deed by going down on one knee – despite the freezing cold, horrific height and wind.
Jim even managed to capture Linda’s reaction on camera and video.
And thankfully Linda, who first met Marty when she was a cocktail waitress in Letterkenny nightclub Sister Sara’s ten years ago, said yes.
The couple were also invited to sign a special steel beam which will remain in the Freedom Tower forever.
The couple have yet to name a date for their wedding but Marty admits his love for Linda probably couldn’t reach greater heights.
“Now unless we get married in space….” laughed Marty!
LInda and Marty’s proposal will be forever enshrined on the Freedom Tower