Meet the parents ... as Courteney flies in to meet Johnny's family

Cox and her Snow Patrol beau touched down at Derry Airport after a Ryanair flight following a brief break in London.

Dressed casually in a maroon-coloured top and jeans, the former Friends star posed for a photograph with airport staff Charlene Shongo, communications and marketing manager, and her colleague, Siobhan McAnney.

It is believed to be the first time the actress has visited McDaid's native city prompting speculation that the couple might be scouting possible venues for their wedding.

According to sources, Cox and McDaid are considering tying the knot in Ireland, rather than LA where they are based and are expected to wed in a 'small and intimate' ceremony before the end of the year.

Earlier in the week Cox and the Snow Patrol guitarist were photographed arriving from the States at Heathrow, accompanied by Cox's 10-year-old daughter Coco.

It is understood the couple will spend time with McDaid's musical family in Derry as well as taking in the sights.

The lovebirds recently enjoyed a romantic getaway at Amanyara in Turks and Caicos to celebrate the brunette beauty's 50th birthday.

The Cougar Town star and 37-year-old McDaid jointly announced their engagement on Twitter in June, after six months of dating.

They were introduced through mutual friend, singer/songwriter Ed Sheeran and were first seen out together at Jennifer Aniston's Christmas party in December and have since been inseparable.

Sheeran has spoken about how he played cupid for the couple.

"I go out a lot, to meet people, hang out and bring my friends to house parties," he said. "This was one of those nights, and I brought Johnny along with me and introduced them. At the end of the night I went home, and he didn't. That was it."

hnews@herald.ie