More than six months after it took flight from West Cork, a humble Christmas balloon returned whence it came — bringing a Norwegian family in tow.

It took six months, strong high-altitude winds, and a whole lot of luck for a little balloon to fly some 2,500km from Ireland to Norway.

An Irish town has launched a massive community campaign to ensure the red carpet is rolled out for a Norwegian family who found their message-on-a-balloon 2,500km away.