Happy arrivals: families and friends reunited at Dublin airport for Christmas holidays, writes Caitlin McBride
PEOPLE RETURNING from their homes abroad or various travels around the world were reunited with their families for the Christmas period yesterday in Dublin airport carrying only one common accessory; a broad smile.
While families were busy organising large dinners and doing last-minute decorations, they still found time to greet loved ones at the airport. Eager boyfriends carried bouquets of flowers for their long-distance girlfriends, while grandparents meeting their grandchildren for the first time in months rushed through crowds of people.
In spite of a noticeably quieter arrivals gate this year, the atmosphere of those both greeting and arriving could only be described as euphoric.
Gráinne Anderson from Tallaght, Co Dublin, literally jumped for joy upon the arrival of her boyfriend's sister, Bernie Murray. Bernie is based in England and has not been home in two years much to the dismay of Gráinne, who herself only returned to Ireland last week from Edinburgh. She admitted to "roaring crying" when landing again on Irish soil.
There was no mention of the hovering recession, nor anything of the weather outside. Instead, an airport normally consisting of hurried crowds rushing to simply end their journey, saw an influx of happy families bombarding the arrivals gate.
The desire to spend Christmas in a more familiar climate appears to have brought out a yearning for Irish weather while abroad.
After flying in from Buenos Aires, university friends Joanne Finnegan and Patrice Keenan, having spent the past five months travelling Central and South America, commented on the difference in Christmas weather across the continents.
"They do have lights up there, but it's too sunny to see them.
"It's strange doing Christmas shopping when you're walking around in string tops," Joanne remarked.
Security barriers no longer applied as eager family members were seen climbing underneath in order to get to their loved ones sooner. Individuals were reunited with their long-distance partners, parents or grandchildren with affectionate embraces mixed with tears and joy.
Sue Maughan flying in from Newcastle, England, was greeted by her Wicklow-based daughter- in-law and two grandchildren. "It's great. Just absolutely great," were some of the few words she could offer on seeing her family again.
Many of the energetic crowd were transformed into a group for long-distance relationships having withstood the test of time.
Two couples who managed to endure the difficult feat were Kenneth Manning from Galway awaiting the arrival of his girlfriend, Brooke Dziuma, from Australia, and Neil Christie from Swords, Co Dublin who was waiting for Anja Eriksen from Denmark. Ireland may not be considered home by all those visiting, but their Irish counterparts appeared to be thrilled to have them here for the Christmas season.