'It feels like a movie': Emotional scenes at airports as loved ones return home for Christmas

Families reunited for festive season as relatives fly in from around the world

Shane McCarthy, Old Head, Kinsale, his wife Annemarie and their son Connor arrive at Cork Airport for Christmas, with Annemarie's family from Minnesota. Picture: Denis Minihane

A jittery Maggie Sherman was beaming, nervous and excited as she stood right beneath Cork Airport arrivals board.

“I don’t know why they’re taking so long to come through because it landed at 27 past,” she said, about 10 minutes after the flight had landed.

Ms Sherman, from Douglas in Cork, said her son Jack has not been home since he moved to Amsterdam in October 2020, and although they’ve met in other countries throughout the years, she said it never gets any easier.

“It’s desperate — he’d been living with me all his life up to that point,” she said, adding that she has been waiting months for this moment.

The last Christmas they spent together was in 2021 when the family met in Guatemala where her other son, Luke, lived at the time.

Christmas at home without him last year was “lonely”, she said.

Her eyes rarely moved from the airport doors. It took a few moments for Jack to see his mother but she had spotted him the second he walked into the arrivals hall.

Nadia Geaney of Dublin Pike, Cork, arrives at Cork Airport from Dubai for Christmas, and is greeted by George, the family pet dog. Picture: Denis Minihane

After a happy reunion and many hugs, Jack said the experience of walking in to the sounds of an orchestra was “grand, like”, while his anticipation for Christmas dinner might be perceived as lacklustre given the fact that, unlike him, his family is vegetarian.

“The last time we had Christmas at home it was like a nut roast and just loads of vegetables and I was like: ‘Where's the turkey?” he said.

More than 195,000 people are estimated to come home to Ireland during the Christmas period.

“It’s so magical with the orchestra and stuff, it feels like a movie,” said Sarah Howarth from Rosscarbery, who has been living in Amsterdam for two years. Her mother Siobhán was at the airport bright and early with balloons to welcome her home.

“It’s hard but it’s lovely to go over and visit and when she comes back it’s extra special,” she said, adding that she has been looking forward to this moment since August.

Sarah Howarth of Rosscarbery arrives at Cork Airport from Amsterdam for Christmas, greeted by her mother Siobhán. Picture: Denis Minihane

Although there was a hint of regret and sadness that loved ones live abroad, the sense of pride that they have done so well overshadows it.

“We miss her but we’re delighted everything has gone so well for her,” said Liz Flynn from Douglas whose daughter has lived in Dubai for the last five years.

She works as a teacher there and has since become engaged after meeting her partner in Dubai.

“He’s a Cork man,” she said, proudly.

Meanwhile, Susan Keogh who has lived in Melbourne since 1993, arrived with her husband Kevin and their daughter Emily.

Originally from Cobh, this is Ms Keogh’s first time home since 2019, something she and her family have been looking forward to “for a long time”.

Ali Lucey from Bandon, who works in security at the airport, said it’s a “rewarding” time of year.

“Some people are very emotional,” she said, as behind her, Cork Light Orchestra played 'Fairytale of New York'.

Gráinne Deasy of Rosscarbery, arriving at Cork Airport from the Netherlands for Christmas, is greeted by her father Martin. Picture: Denis Minihane

At Dublin Airport, Rosaleen McQuillan was in Terminal 2 to meet her two nieces Shailene, 5, and Adalyn, 2, and her sister Jacqueline Enhicner, who has been living in New York for 16 years with her husband Keith.

This is the first time I’ve been home for Christmas in eight years with my kids.

 “I’ve been home prior to this but not on Christmas," she said. "We are spending it with my mother Maureen Gonnelly in Newry. My husband, who is American, is very excited about having a traditional Irish Christmas dinner here."

Anne Cooney from Athlone, Co. Westmeath, greets her six-year-old granddaughter Jessicain Dublin Aiport arrivals. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Meanwhile, Anne and John Cooney from Athlone, Co Westmeath, were in the arrivals area to meet their daughter Aoife, her husband Geoff Farrell, and their daughter Jessica, 6.

“We are delighted to have them home,” said Anne. “My son John has also flown in from Munich.

“We have another daughter, Rachael, who is in New York who can’t travel this year, and another daughter in Dublin, who will be with us."

Timmina Cahill and Nick Waldron from Lucan welcome their daughter Megan Cahill back from New York at Dublin Airport. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Timmina Cahill and Nick Waldron from Lucan in Dublin were there to meet their daughter Megan, who has not been home for Christmas in seven years.

“She is the only child, so this is a very special Christmas," said Timmina. 

“She is in New York managing a bar and she’s doing great. We miss her so much, but we can’t wait for the party."