TOM CREAN SOCIETY NEWS – DECEMBER 2009
Tom Crean and the Terra Nova Expedition
Just wanted to let you know about a new radio play. If you are into your history (or local celebrities), and happen to be up at 9am on New Years Day (or still up from the night before!), check out Tom Crean and the Terra Nova Expedition on Radio Kerry.
New Years Day 9am on Radio Kerry 96-98FM or live online at www.radiokerry.ie/live.php
Check out the new video promo at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iq9_mJsJOw
Midwinter & Terra Nova Centennial Celebrations
Celebrating Irish Polar Explorers in this the first of two centennial golden eras in Antarctic Expeditions, the Terra Nova (1910-1913) and Endurance (1914-16) Over the next couple of years members of the Society plan to raise awareness to the involvement of Irishmen and of Irish connection during the heroic age of Antarctic exploration. Other events and projects to be confirmed will be posted here on tomcrean.com soon.
This New Years Eve we begin with the Terra Nova celebrations in the South Pole Inn, Annascaul, Co. Kerry. Date: December 31st 2009 – 1st January 2010.
Thursday 31st December
Items of the night will include: Aidan Dooleys – Tom Crean & the Terra Nova. An excerpt from his highly acclaimed award winning show.(Presentations 8.30pm sharp, Upstairs on first come basis as seats are limited) These presentations will be followed by New Years eve toast in the bar around 10pm. At the stroke of midnight all will gather outside for a special parade through the village by Saint Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band.
Friday 1st January
Tom Crean Historical walk led by Annascaul walking club: Meeting place: Monument Garden opp South Pole Inn – Meeting time: 11am – Duration: 2-4 hrs Walking Contact: John Hanafin 0894181287 www.annascaulwalks.org. Then late afternoon time around 5pm, we will have a viewing of an DVD interview with the late Hon Edward Broke Evans upstairs at the South Pole Inn. This will be followed by an informal open discussion on all things Antarctic.
NB: Food and accommodation details if required available from Eileen at The South Pole Inn, Annascaul, Co. Kerry. Tel: 066 9157388
Background to Pipe Band
The award-winning Saint Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band, based in New Jersey, U.S.A., will play at midnight at the South Pole Inn. The Saint Columcille band, which celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2009 and regularly competes internationally, is named for the Donegal-born, 6th Century missionary who founded the Iona monastery in 563. The band was founded on the principles of a united Gaelic people, crossing religious and all other boundaries. The band’s motto is “Ar aghaidh le ceol na nGael,” Scots Gaelic for “Onward the Music of the Gael.”
Members of the band have entertained on New Year’s Eve in Anascaul for nearly a decade. “It’s an honor to be welcomed back to Abhainn an Scáil to help carry on a great tradition of celebrating a new beginning each New Year,” said Bob Wade, the band president. “Corca Dhuibhne at the New Year: I can’t think of a better place to be!”
Background to Terra Nova Expedition
It was on this expedition that Robert Falcon Scott and 4 of his party man-hauled to the South Pole only to discover the Roald Amundsen and his dog-sled party had erected a tent flying the Norwegian flag. This race ended in tragedy when Scott and his party failed to return after physical and mental deprivation and extreme bad weather finally halted the party from advancing back to ‘One ton Depot’ only 11 miles away. Scott’s last diary entry, dated 29 March 1912, the presumed date of their deaths. Many historians are of the belief that only for the adverse weather, Scott and some of his party could have survived.
On deciding his final party for man-hauling, Scott had decided that Crean, Evans and Lashly were to return to base at Cape Evans. Their return journey was shrouded in feats of survival and bravery with Tom Crean’s journey to rescue his comrades Teddy Evans (whose mother was Mc Nalty in Limerick) and William Lashly being described by Antarctic historians as “the finest feat of individual heroism from the entire age of exploration”. He was subsequently awarded the Albert medal for his bravery. The Albert Medal can also be viewed at Kerry County Museum.
Also on the Terra Nova were three Corkmen. Kinsale born seaman Mortimer McCarthy, who on his return to Cardiff in 1913 was presented with the Silver Polar Medal by King George. Long after his retirement in 1963 Mortimer revisited the Antarctic with an American expedition to Scott’s hut at Cape Evans. At the age of 81 he was the oldest man to ever set foot on Antarctica.
Courtmacsherry man Patrick Keohane whose diaries can be viewed at Kerry County Museum in Tralee also served Scott’s diaries reveal a personal fondness and deep respect for Keohane. On one occasion Scott, Keohane, Wilson and Sherry-Garrard were pinned down in a storm for four days. Always the optimist, Keohane pointed out to the other lads that if the snow kept melting they could always turn the tent upside down and use it as a boat.
Finally Cobh man Robert Forde at the age of 35 joined as Petty officer. Man hauling for ten hours a day, Forde worked with tireless energy in an epic team effort to establish Scott’s ‘Corner Camp’ 35 miles from Cape Evans. Mount Forde, a monumental peak of over 1,200 metres at the head of the Hunt Glacier was named in his honour.
