Irish emigrant sees his childhood home for the first time in 50 years on Google Maps

An elderly Irish man who left his home for London in the 1960s was recently reduced to tears when he was shown his home as it is today on Google Maps.

Stephen O'Reilly was in a London bar last week when he saw an elderly man struggle up to the bar. When he ordered a drink, Stephen recognised his accent as Irish, "went over and said hi" and got chatting with him. Upon discovering that the man hadn't been home in over 50 years, Stephen took out his smartphone and amazed his new companion.

I met a very old irish man after work this week in some old school dive bar. Not been back to ireland since 1960's. Asked him his address...

— Stephen O'Reilly (@steoreilly) September 5, 2014

Continued.... Typed his home address in ireland into google earth on my iPhone and showed it to him and he started to cry with joy. Amazing

— Stephen O'Reilly (@steoreilly) September 5, 2014

Continued. He could see his house and the road he's never seen for like 50 years. Very powerful stuff we take for granted today

— Stephen O'Reilly (@steoreilly) September 5, 2014

The 76-year-old's emotional reaction to seeing his family home as a result of modern technology is a heartwarming reminder of its affects on modern life. Without Stephen's instinct to check his phone for his address, the elderly man may never have seen his home again.

Stephen says the man will likely never return to Ireland due to ill health as "booking a flight is impossible and a one day coach ride is unbearable if you are 76".