Watch: High emotion, family reunions, and true Christmas spirit at Cork Airport
Pettersen, Emily Hugging His Andy Gibson From Siblings Macroom Who Picture: Just Conor Vancouver, From Pettersen Flown James And In Had
“It’s giving big vibes,” said Meadhbh Ní Callanáin as she entered Cork Airport’s arrivals hall under a giant Christmas tree, as a 26-piece orchestra played uplifting festive tunes.
It’s her first Christmas at home in five years, with husband John Riordan and their children Tadhg, 6, and Oisín, 3, from Melbourne, Australia.
“When the plane was descending Tadhg said ‘it’s so green!’ You forget how green it is here.
“When we were in London Heathrow [transferring flights] there were so many Irish parents with their kids with different accents — English, Australian, American -— all coming home for Christmas.
“You really got in the Christmas vibe with Aer Lingus in Terminal 2.
“Then arriving into Cork Airport has been dead cute. Fair play to Cork Airport — the orchestra, the decorations, it’s incredible."
The couple were filmed for a BBC Panorama documentary in 2011 about leaving Ireland after the financial crash.
“It’s like being in a dream state now, coming back and things are so good," Meadhbh said.
"It’s a very romantic time of year, coming back to the green fields of home."
The last time the couple were home was for John’s father’s funeral five years ago. They returned to Melbourne just weeks before the historic covid lockdown on their adoptive home.
This is Oisín’s first time in Ireland and his first time meeting his grandmother on his father’s side, Helena Riordan, who waited for their arrival along with the boys' other grandparents, Edel and Seán Ó Callanáin, who had visited the family in Melbourne in January.
A glittery, homemade sign to welcome the family back has been in use since 2013, the heavy cardboard and carefully-crafted letters still in perfect condition.
“I’m just looking forward so much to having them back,” Edel said.
More than 10,000 passengers flew through Cork Airport on Friday, with similar numbers expected on Saturday and Sunday, said Cork Airport communications manager Barry Holland.
More than 55,000 people will fly through the airport between December 18 and 24.
People stood at arrivals, smartphones poised to video their loved ones walk through the glass doors back home.
The 26-piece Cork Light Orchestra, all wearing red and white Santa hats, played jaunty Christmas songs and some other well-known, happy hits.
Baby Sienna Keane, just six weeks old, slept peacefully in her pram, a paper sign saying ‘Where's my presents?’ placed gently over her blanket.
It would be her first time meeting her uncle, Barry O’Donnell, an accountant working in Dubai, as he returned home for Christmas.
“It’s his first Christmas home in three years,” his mum Ursula O’Donnell said.
Sienna's sister, two-year-old Rosie, wore sparkly antlers as she waited patiently for her uncle.
He unzipped his bag to produce a camel soft toy with a bright pink hump for a delighted Rosie following warm hugs from his family.
Kelly Matthews and Eve Mullins were coming home for Christmas from teaching in Dubai.
“The girls are best friends,” Kelly’s mum Fiona Mathews said.
“They went to Dubai teaching for three years straight out of college in UCC. This is their second year there.”
Eve’s dad Mick Mullins said through a smile: “It’s too long!”
Eve’s grandmother Esther agreed.
The girls’ special bond and kindness to each other gives their families comfort that they will keep each other safe when they are away in a foreign place.
Kelly’s family dog, Bear, also waited expectantly in the airport, wagging his little tail as people admired him.
“She’ll be looking for a cuddle with Bear when she gets in, we have to send her lots of video of him," her dad, Jason said.
Kelly’s boyfriend Colm Murphy also waited for the girls.
“It’s been the longest four months of my life,” he said, of waiting for Kelly’s return.
“I visited this year but it’s my final year of college so I’ve had to stay here. But it’s great for them to have the opportunity to travel."
Eve said that the girls are “having a ball” in Dubai but that it was brilliant to now be home for two weeks.
“I’m most looking forward to spending time with my family," she said. "And to having ham and cheese toasties!”
Kelly said that she was seriously looking forward to a fry-up.
Staff at Cork Airport were counting passengers all day to find the three millionth person to arrive into Cork Airport this year.
Mohammad Asim was surprised to be that person, after he landed from Ryanair flight FR3732 from Edinburgh this afternoon.
Dr Asim was met on arrival by airport management and presented with a bottle of champagne and a luxury hamper from Cork Airport Duty Free to celebrate the milestone.
The anaesthetist had been working in Cork but then moved to a hospital in Edinburgh, but loving Cork, he and his family decided to keep their primary residence in Ireland.
“I fly to Edinburgh every two weeks for work,” Dr Asim said.
“But I’m back now with family.”