‘I didn’t sleep a wink last night, I was so excited’ – tears and laughter as Dublin Airport welcomes Christmas arrivals

A Christmas choir sang carols for teary-eyed parents and grandparents as family members arrived through the green doors of terminal two.

In an emotional embrace, Jane Martin was greeted with hugs and kisses from her nieces as she landed home from Sydney.

Not home since 2018, Jane and her boyfriend Ryan flew from Sydney to Los Angeles to New York and finally onto Dublin to get home for Christmas.

As she walked through the arrivals door, niece Hannah leaped into her aunt’s arms.

“It was a long haul but it was worth it. I’m very happy and relieved,” said the Meath woman.

“It’s my first Christmas home since 2018 so I’m really looking forward to spending it with family and can’t wait for Santy to come,” she said.

Ms Martin was joined by her father Gus and sister Kate, who said a Terry’s chocolate orange and a “good fry up” will be waiting at home.

Meanwhile, looking up at the board of arriving flights, mother Jo Sheehy held back tears of joy as her daughter Olivia’s flight from Boston landed.

“I didn’t sleep a wink last night, I was so excited,” she said.

The Wicklow family embraced in hugs, kisses and tears as Olivia (23), who is on a scholarship in Boston, finally passed the finish line home.

“I’m looking forward to a cup of tea with some real chocolate, Cadbury's of course,” she said.

“I’m so happy to be home. It’s amazing getting to see them in person. It's my first time being away from home, from family.”

Meanwhile, three best friends from Mullingar, Co Westmeath reunited as teacher Rebecca Doolin (28) arrived home from New York.

Ballymaloe crisps and my mother were missed the most

In floods of tears with balloons in hand, Gemma Kerrigan and Clíodhna Spellman welcomed her back on home soil.

“A Lucozade sport and a breakfast roll, you cannot get them in America,” was on her to-do list as she wiped tears from her face.

“I’m looking forward to having the fire on, watching Harry Potter and being with my nanny.

“There’s no buzz about Christmas in America. There’s all the lights but here you're with your family and friends. It’s completely different. There’s no place like home,” she said.

After five years apart due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sisters Rosie Ryan and Mary Martin reunited their two families in an emotional embrace after a long-haul journey from Australia.

“They’ll be home in Tipp now for three weeks,” said Ms Ryan.

“We're very excited. It's lovely to have them home. They haven't been home in about five years and we couldn't go over there because of Covid, so it's exciting. We’re looking forward to Santy now,” said Ms Ryan.

In terminal one, Erasmus students Lucy Glynn from Enfield, Co Meath, and Suzey O’Brien from Westport, Co Mayo, arrived home from Luxembourg to their eagerly awaiting families.

“I came from Mayo on the five o’clock train this morning,” said excited mother Ruth O’Brien with balloons in hand.

As they strolled through the arrival door, Suzey said “Ballymaloe crisps and my mother” were missed the most.

“I’m so glad to be home, I’m going to soak it up and enjoy it,” said the third-year NUIG student.

The Gluais Scoil Mhuire trad group provided Christmas carols and Irish dancing as families reunited in terminal one throughout the day.

Dublin Airport is expecting 1.5 million passengers to pass through the airport over the Christmas break, with 45,000 per day.