An 81-year-old Irish woman has revealed her joy after she was finally reunited with her mother for the first time since birth.
Eileen Macken, from Kildare, was put up for adoption as a baby and grew up in a Bethany Home orphanage.
After spending over 60 years searching for her mother, Eileen finally met 103-year-old Elizabeth in April after a genealogist traced her to an area in Scotland.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio 1′s Liveline, Eileen said: "Last August I got a call from the genealogist to tell me that he had found my mum and that she was alive at 103 years of age.
"Once I heard that, nothing would stop me from trying to get to see her."
Despite having some reservations about travelling to meet Elizabeth, who turns 104 on Sunday, Eileen went to Scotland with her husband George, her daughter and her son-in-law.
She said: "I went over to see her and she's the most beautiful lady, a lovely family, they gave me a great welcome.
"My own family, which I can understand, worried about me going without getting an invitation from the family.
Irishwoman's 'dream' reunion after tracking down 94-year-old birth mother
"It went on for so long that I just thought that I'll take the bull by the horns. I went over on April 11 and I knocked on the door.
"A gentleman opened the door and I told him I was from Ireland and that I had found my mum here and asked could we come in to see her.
"We came in and honestly I haven't got over the acceptance that I got. I had a great chat with my mother.
"I know she's my mum and I did say to her, 'you know I'm your daughter'. She just looked at me and she took my hand and we had a great chat.
"There was such a bond between the two of us, it was fantastic. She's such a kind lady, I said to my children that all this life I've loved this lady, even though I don't know who she is.
Eileen said she was conscious of not wanting to stay too long due to her mother's age.
Thanking Joe Duffy and the Liveline team, Eileen revealed she has never been happier.
She added: "I don't think I'll ever come down out of the cloud."
