Watch: 'This is the best Christmas present ever': Tears of joy at Cork Airport's arrivals

People have been travelling from Australia, the US, the Middle East, as well as the UK and Europe, to get back to festivities in Cork

Godmother Iza hugs her grandson Marcel Matias after arriving at Cork Airport. Picture: Larry Cummins

“This is the best Christmas present ever,” Siobhán Howarth said as her daughter Sarah arrived into Cork Airport.

‘Welcome home’ balloons bobbed above people’s heads, and bouquets of flowers were gripped tightly by expectant hands as the Cork Light Orchestra played Christmas carols in the buzzing arrivals hall.