Homes

Heartwarming Christmas homecoming!

Carmel O’Connor got the surprise of a lifetime when her family welcomed her home from Brisbane, but little did they know that she had a surprise in store for them too!

Carmel, 26, was returning from Australia after having spent four years living in Brisbane and it seems her Irish family couldn’t have been more thrilled to have her back as they welcomed her with an impressive musical performance.

With the help of Dublin Airport, who shared the video of the heartwarming reunion, the family arranged to have local folk music band Draíocht, who have also appeared on The Late Late Show in the States, to perform for her at the airport.

Carmel certainly did seem overwhelmed, crying tears of joy to see her Limerick based family at the airport and then crying gleefully when the band chimed up and started to play.

Dympna O’Connor, Carmel’s mum says: “Carmel’s fantastic. She’s 26. She’s our baby girl. We’ve got three girls and she’s the youngest (and we have a boy – younger).”

“She’s been in Australia for the last four years… and this is actually going to be our first Christmas together in four years so it’s just going to be phenomenal!”

Carmel’s brother Jack O’Connor who is a member of the musical group Draiocht, said that it: “hasn’t been the same since [she left], so having her home for Christmas is going to be extra special.”

The family weren’t the only ones with a surprise though.  Carmel had one of her own. After the performance she gathered the whole family around and declared “I’m not going back. I’m home!”

Watch the whole charming family reunion above!

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