'Emotional day' as restrictions on non-essential international travel ease

Mabel Rush, Rachel Quinn, Alex O Dwyer, Sophie Gibbons and Eithne Cunney all wearing face masks and holding their Covid Vaccine certs in Dublin Airport so they can travel to Crete. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/ RollingNews.ie

Suitcases are packed and passports at the ready as thousands are expected to pass through Irish airports today now that non-essential international travel has reopened.

It is an emotional day for many as people around the country will travel abroad to reunite with family and friends they haven't seen in 16 months.