Emotional reunions and a marriage proposal on the busiest day of the year at Dublin Airport.
It is the busiest day before Christmas in Dublin Airport, buzzing with people returning home to spend the festive season with family and friends. Some 80,00 people are expected through both airport terminals, a large contingent coming from America and Australia.
Most are just visiting, though some admit they will come under gentle pressure to return to Ireland.
For some, it has been years since they have been home. Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) spokesperson Siobhán O'Donnell explains,
The airport is a truly magical and special place at this time of year, fabulous reunions, families being reunited, very touching time.
In the days leading up to Christmas, musical groups from local schools and choirs are on hand to welcome people coming home and to entertain those waiting for family members to arrive.
At Terminal 2, Louise Mooney from Monaghan waits for the arrival of her boyfriend Martin Mulroe from Mayo, who is travelling from Australia to spend Christmas in Ireland. In front of hundreds of onlookers, Martin Mulroe proposes to her. He says it was the obvious place to pop the question,
We met in the airport three years ago, next month, so that was where we met.
Between now and 1 January 2016, an estimated 925,000 people will pass through terminals 1 and 2 in Dublin Airport. This is an increase of 18% on 2014 figures.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 December 2015. The reporter is Carole Coleman.
