Bernadette and Brendan Devine, the mater and paterfamilias of the Donemana clan, greeted their daughter and son-in-law Claire and Ronan Brannigan, and their three grandsons, Bearach (aged 6), Tiarnán (aged 3) and Lachie (aged 12 weeks) after they completed the 10,000 mile trip from Melbourne, Australia.
“It's lovely to see them and to have everyone home for Christmas,” said Brendan, as they awaited the arrival of their loved ones on a Loganair flight from Heathrow on Wednesday.
The Devines epitomise the Derry diaspora with family members having set down roots in Australia, Canada and England.
It is rare to have them all together at any time, let alone Christmas, Bernadette and Brendan tell us. So it will be a very special yuletide next week.
“[Our son] Dermot and his wife are coming from Vancouver. So we are going to have them home. Éadaoin and the baby Senan are back from England and Roisín and Ciara are in Belfast so they will be home for Christmas. We will have everybody home,” says Brendan.
Claire’s sister Éadaoin Maher, awaiting patiently with her parents in the CoDA arrivals hall, says: “I think it has been three years since the last time we were all together. That was our wedding in July 2022. It's so lovely when there is an opportunity for everyone to see one another.”
It has, the family say, been a tough couple of years. Bernadette was diagnosed with cancer during the pandemic but has since been given the all clear. But two months after Bernadette’s bad news, Brendan was told he had cancer. It’s incurable but treatable, he confides.
Bernadette tells us a long haul trip to Australia would have been out of the question due to the recent health scares. "I just couldn’t see us doing it.”
When Claire, Ronan, Bearach, Tiarnán and Lachie arrive through the arrivals door shortly after noon there are tears of joy and happiness.
Claire says: “I don't even know how I'm talking. It's just a once in a life time thing I think.”
Her eldest, six-year-old Bearach, agrees: “It’s a one in a million time.”
The Brannigans have been living in Australia for 12 years now and rarely get home.
"We've been home when Tiarnán was just born and when Bearach was just born, say, maybe every three years. But we've never been home for Christmas so this is unreal. For Christmas I'm sure it's 20 odd years, it's been so long,” says Claire.
Brendan is looking forward to having the whole family around the one table this Christmas. “We might have to extend it,” he jokes.
Overcome with joy Bernadette adds: “It is unreal.”
The Devine Christmas reunion was made possible thanks to Highland Radio’s annual Home for Christmas campaign where the Donegal radio station brings a family home for Christmas, so they can see their loved ones and experience the magic of the season.
Greg Hughes presented his Nine ‘til Noon Show live from City of Derry Airport capturing the emotional Devine get together as it happened.
Says Éadaoin: “It would never have happened if it wasn't for this amazing opportunity so we are so thankful. We are so lucky.”
5. Éadaoin Maher, (with baby Senan), Bernadette Devine, Mark McGookin and Brendan Devine pictured at City of Derry Airport awaiting the arrival of the Brannigan family, from Melbourne. Photo: George Sweeney
Éadaoin Maher, (with baby Senan), Bernadette Devine, Mark McGookin and Brendan Devine pictured at City of Derry Airport awaiting the arrival of the Brannigan family, from Melbourne. Photo: George Sweeney Photo: George Sweeney
6. Bernadette Devine, Éadaoin Maher (with baby Senan) and Brendan Devine, from Donemana, pictured at City of Derry Airport awaiting the arrival of the Brannigan family, visiting from Melbourne. Photo: George Sweeney
Bernadette Devine, Éadaoin Maher (with baby Senan) and Brendan Devine, from Donemana, pictured at City of Derry Airport awaiting the arrival of the Brannigan family, visiting from Melbourne. Photo: George Sweeney Photo: George Sweeney
7. Éadaoin Maher and Bernadette and Bernard Devine interviewed by Greg Hughes of Highland Radio at City of Derry Airport prior to the arrival of the Brannigan family for Christmas. Photo: George Sweeney
Éadaoin Maher and Bernadette and Bernard Devine interviewed by Greg Hughes of Highland Radio at City of Derry Airport prior to the arrival of the Brannigan family for Christmas. Photo: George Sweeney Photo: George Sweeney
8. Claire Brannigan, holding 12 week old baby Lachie, pictured with her dad Brendan Devine at the City of Derry Airport. Photo: George Sweeney
Claire Brannigan, holding 12 week old baby Lachie, pictured with her dad Brendan Devine at the City of Derry Airport. Photo: George Sweeney Photo: George Sweeney