Tears of joy flow at the airport as loved ones are welcomed home for holidays
TEARS, kisses and shrieks of joy rang out at the arrivals hall in Dublin Airport as passengers arrived home for Christmas.
For John McEvoy, originally from Laois, along with his wife Nicole and kids Damon (4) and Fiona (3), it was a Christmas of firsts.
“It’s the first time I’ve been home for Christmas in 15 years. It’s the first time my sister has got to meet my kids,” he said, trying to hold back the tears.
His time living in Long Island, New York, even meant he didn’t recognise one of Ireland’s biggest names. While speaking to reporters, he spotted Ryan Tubridy posing for photos with his parents and daughter but had no idea who he was. “My entire family [were here to welcome us] which I’m shocked at because I didn’t expect anybody to be here. I was walking out to go get a car to drive down,” he said.
Gareth Hennessy (26) from Dundrum was waiting with flowers for his girlfriend, Bianca Rawson (25) from Florida. The pair met in New York when Gareth was living there on a graduate visa but this is Bianca’s first visit. “I have no idea [what to expect]. I’ve met his father and one of his sisters, but not the mom yet, that’s what this trip is for,” she said.
Asked how Gareth charmed her, she said: “It’s the accent, definitely.”
Meanwhile, for a couple of Knocklyon sisters, Jasmine (25) and Lydia (21), it was a Christmas ritual to drive out to the airport and pick up eldest sister, Victoria (28), who has been working as an accountant in Boston for more than two years. Their parents were back home cooking the breakfast ‘Superquinn sausages’ as a special request.
Mary Russell may have been the happiest mother in Terminal 2, with daughter Aislinn arriving home from New York – and she’s here to stay. “It’s very special to have her home,” she said.
Aislinn was stunned at the scenes as she walked through the airport doors.
“There’s no place like home at Christmas,” she said.