Aer Lingus brings five families home to Ireland for Christmas

Aer Lingus is one of the main airlines operating to Ireland and traditionally carry a lot of Irish emigrants home for the holiday period.

Niamh is reunited with her family after 19 years.

Earlier this year the airline reached out on social media to find five people to secretly fly home to Ireland to surprise their families for Christmas. Nigel, Fintan, Niamh, Tomás and Clare all won and filmed their journey from America to their doorstep back home. One of the lucky winners, Niamh, was returning to Ireland after a 19 year absence.

The shock appearance of the winners prompted plenty of tears, shrieks of delight and hugs from delighted parents and siblings. Watch the full video here but be warned! It might just make you cry.

Nigel’s mother gets a surprise when she sees who’s at the door.

Meanwhile, Dublin Airport has been the scene of plenty of joyous reunions over the last few days. One man’s proposal to his girlfriend went viral after Dublin Airport posted the snap on Twitter. The airport has also decorated the Arrivals Hall, welcoming people back home for Christmas.

Martin Mulroe proposes to Louise Mooney as soon he came back from Australia Image by Dublin Airport