Thousands make return journey to NI

Making the Christmas trip home

Thousands of people are travelling or have arrived home to Northern Ireland for Christmas.

The annual pilgrimage home makes it one of the busiest times of the year at the province's ferry ports and airport terminals.

Good weather has meant most services have run smoothly

At the Seacat fast ferry terminal in Belfast staff had been bracing themselves for the rush.

But so far, it has all been plain sailing.

Seacat General Manager Diane Poole said: "The ferries are running on time. The weather has been perfect and conditions are good.

"We are full to capacity."

Bookings are also up on the Seacat sailings from Troon, and the Norse-Irish ferries sailings from Liverpool to Belfast.

Stenaline are laying on extra sailings between Belfast and Stranraer until 8 January, while P&O are laying on an extra round-trip sailing a day between Larne and Cairnryan until 3 January.

There are also extra flights into City of Derry Airport, and both Belfast City and Belfast International Airports.

Caroline McMullan: The drive is one to persuade graduates to come back to NI

But not everyone was starting their holidays.

The University of Ulster Alumni Association had their stall set up at Belfast International Airport to welcome graduates home, and perhaps persuade them to stay.

Caroline McMullan of the Association said: "There are serious shortages of staff, management and very well trained people needed in the electronics, IT and computer industries and also in industries such as hospitality and tourism."