Leap Year

As the winds of frustration swirl around her, successful real estate agent Anna Brady (Anna) finds herself at a crossroads. Four years have passed since she first set her sights on cardiologist Jeremy Sloane's heart, yet the proposal remains as elusive as a rare Irish sunset. Convinced that the ancient tradition of leap day proposals holds the key to securing her future, Anna embarks on a transatlantic journey from Boston to Dublin, where she plans to pop the question during Jeremy's conference.

However, fate has other plans. A fierce storm brews, forcing her flight to make an emergency landing in Wales. Undeterred, Anna charters a boat bound for Cork, only to find herself washed ashore on the windswept coast of Dingle, a quaint seaside village that seems worlds away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

As she makes her way to the local tavern, Anna crosses paths with Declan O'Callaghan (Declan), the gruff yet endearing Irish innkeeper who seems more interested in preserving his ale than indulging her plea for assistance. Initially reluctant to help, Declan is eventually persuaded to drive Anna to Dublin - but only after she agrees to pay him a handsome EUR500.

As they set off on their journey, Declan's sharp wit and Anna's fastidious nature clash in a series of comedic misadventures. The road ahead is fraught with obstacles, from a herd of wayward cows blocking the path to a treacherous stream that claims Declan's trusty old car as its own. Despite these setbacks, the unlikely duo presses on, their banter and bickering masking a deeper connection that neither can quite articulate.

When Anna's luggage is pilfered by three opportunistic travelers, she finds herself at the mercy of fate once more. It is here that Declan's rugged determination and unexpected strength prove to be her salvation, as he retrieves her belongings from the clutches of the thieves. Forged in the crucible of adversity, their bond begins to take shape, even as they are ejected from a roadside pub for their part in a rousing brawl.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Anna and Declan find themselves at another crossroads - this time, with the promise of new beginnings hanging precariously in the balance. Will they continue on their separate paths, or will the unpredictable tides of fate guide them toward an uncertain but potentially life-altering future?

As Anna and Declan wait for their train at the railway station, they find themselves drawn to a nearby hill, where the ruins of an ancient castle beckon. Amidst the crumbling stones, they engage in a poignant exercise: imagining what they would grab if their homes were engulfed by flames, leaving them just 60 seconds to escape. Declan regales Anna with an old Irish legend about a young woman who defied tradition and followed her heart, sacrificing her own happiness for love. As they lose themselves in the tale, time slips away, and they miss their train. That night, they find themselves at a cozy bed & breakfast in Tipperary, where they don the guise of married couple "O'Brady-Callaghan" to win over their conservative hosts. As they share dinner with their fellow guests, the evening's festivities prompt them to exchange a tender kiss, sparking a sense of longing neither had anticipated. Though they sleep under the same roof, their feelings remain unspoken.

The next day, as they hitch-hike down the winding road, a sudden hailstorm forces them to seek shelter in a nearby church, where a joyous celebration is underway - a wedding reception. Invited to join in the merriment, they find themselves swept up in the revelry. Anna, however, soon finds herself overwhelmed by her own emotions, questioning her intentions and realizing that her feelings have shifted towards Declan. Just as she prepares to seize this newfound connection, her body betrays her, and she succumbs to a fit of vomiting, followed by a faint. The following day, they arrive in Dublin, making their way on foot from the bus terminal to their hotel. As they walk, Declan shares with Anna his own tale of heartbreak: a past engagement that ended abruptly when his fiancée fled to Dublin with his mother's treasured claddagh ring and his best friend by her side.

Their arrival at Jeremy's hotel lobby is met with an unexpected surprise - the man himself proposes to Anna, right where they stand. As she turns to share the moment with Declan, she finds him already gone, leaving her no choice but to accept Jeremy's proposal.

As the engagement party in Boston reaches its climax, Anna's euphoria is brutally deflated by Jeremy's shocking revelation: he proposed solely to curry favor with the co-op board of their desired apartment building. The news sets off a chain reaction of disillusionment, culminating in Anna pulling the fire alarm and testing her 60-second escape plan, which she had earlier discussed with Declan. Meanwhile, Jeremy's response to the impending chaos is eerily detached, prioritizing the preservation of their electronic possessions over his fiancée's well-being.

As the partygoers scramble to evacuate the premises, Anna undergoes a profound epiphany: the apartment that was supposed to be her new home holds no sentimental value for her. The very same realization dawns on her when she gazes upon Jeremy's apathetic face, devoid of any genuine concern for her feelings. This watershed moment marks the beginning of the end of their engagement.

In Dublin, Declan is busy rectifying his financial woes by turning Caragh's Tavern into a thriving business, thanks to the unwavering support of the Dingle community. Anna returns to this idyllic setting, bearing the weight of her broken engagement and an awakening sense of self-awareness. She confides in Declan about Jeremy's true motivations and shares her newfound appreciation for the simple pleasures life has to offer in Dingle.

Anna proposes a partnership with Declan, but this time, it's not a fleeting infatuation; she genuinely wants to build a life together, free from the constraints of rigid planning. However, Declan departs, leaving Anna bewildered and believing she's been rejected. Her heart heavy with disappointment, she hurries to the edge of a cliff overlooking the sea.

Just as the darkness seems absolute, Declan reappears, holding his mother's cherished claddagh ring. He reveals that he had retrieved it to present to Anna, symbolizing his commitment to their future together. This poignant moment is followed by Declan's proposal on the windswept cliffside. Anna accepts with unbridled joy, and as they drive away in Declan's car, the trajectory of their lives hangs precariously in balance, leaving fate to dictate their destination.