Tears of joy at Dublin Airport as families are reunited for Christmas

Families smiled with tears of joy as they reunited this Christmas without Covid-19 restrictions for the first time in three years.

Throngs of loved ones heard céad míle fáilte and hugged in happy scenes during one of the busiest days of the festive season at Dublin Airport.

Doting dad Hugo Kane, from Co Kildare, dressed up in a cheery Christmas jumper to welcome darling daughter Caroline home from London.

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Hugo Kane from Kildare greets his daughter Caroline Kane from London (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

As well as a Christmas geansai, there were handmade signs and banners of families like the Sweeneys who travelled up from Cobh in Co Cork.

They were there for Cara Shields who flew into Dublin from the US state of Maryland.

Cara Shields originally from Dublin now living in Maryland is greeted by (L to R) Anna Sweeney 3 and Michael Sweeney 4 from Cobh during Christmas homecoming scenes at Dublin Airport, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

After jetting across the globe to spend Christmas with her loved ones, Cara got hugs from young Michael Sweeney (4) and Ciara O Donovan for her homecoming.

Also reuniting at Dublin Airport were the O Ceallaigh family, including Margaret, Eilis, and Diarmuid who were overjoyed to have Aoife back from San Francisco.

Aoife O Ceallaigh coming home from San Francisco is hugged by father Diarmuid O Ceallaigh from Co Meath during Christmas homecoming scenes at Dublin Airport, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Mike Hoare flew in from Dubai and got a bear hug from delighted son Donal (6), from Naul in Co Dublin, during more Christmas homecoming scenes at Dublin Airport.

Liz Lavery from Edenderry Co Offaly greets granddaughter Ellie King, 5, from Bermuda (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Another lucky dad, David Whitney, was mobbed in a happy family embrace by his children Jodi (4), Cal (6), and Nathan (8) after returning from Perth in Australia.

Mayo sisters Shanon and Rachel Mellett greeted sister Aishling after she touched down from Broome in western Australia.

Shannon and Rachel Mellett from Mayo greet sister Aishling Mellet from Broome, Australia (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Also flying in from Down Under for a fáilte abhaile was little four-month-old tot Eva Mae with Jordan Williams and Emma O Sullivan.

They were greeted by Cathy O’Sullivan, from Cork, after arriving into Dublin Airport from Queensland capital Brisbane.

Emma O'Sullivan and daughter Eva Mae (4 months ) are greeted by Cathy O Sullivan from Cork (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Love was all around at Dublin Airport’s packed arrivals hall as trolleys laden with suitcases and hidden presents arrived for the happy moments.

Becky Hanlon arrived in from Auckland in New Zealand and fell into the arms of her sister-in-law Lisa Hanlon, from Drogheda.

Devoted parents Deborah and Mark McLoughlin, from Baldoyle in Dublin, could not wait to see son Ben.

Deborah and Mark McLoughlin from Baldoyle greet son Ben McLoughlin from Vancouver (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

Deborah and Mark pulled on their Santa hats to give Ben a Christmas homecoming he’ll never forget.

Damien Rossi from Brisbane Australia greets nephews Leo Rossi and Dillon Rossi from Clontarf (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

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