Heroic Crean steps on to radio

LAST October, a group including descendants of Tom Crean returned to the scene of one of the Annascaul explorer’s most famous polar exploits, and attempted to recreate an astonishing feat upon its 100th anniversary.

Now, a radio documentary produced by Galway-based Alan Meaney is set for the national airwaves, charting the traversal of the Southern Ocean and South Georgia island attempted by Crean’s Kenmare-based granddaughter Aileen Crean-O’Brien, her sons Cian and Morgan, her partner Bill Shepherd, and hardy supporters.

In Tom Crean’s Footsteps will air on RTE Radio One from 1pm on Saturday, August 5, and again from 2pm on Sunday, August 6, and promises to bring listeners from the family’s seafood restaurant in Kenmare, over heaving seas to South Georgia island, across the island on heavy sleds, over cracked ice and glaciers, and through Katab- ic winds as it charts the family’s daring attempt to literally follow in their ancestor’s footsteps.

“The original traversal took place in 1916 during Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance Expedition to the Antarctic,” Alan said. “After their boat sank and the crew were left stranded on Elephant Island, Crean was one of the men chosen to undertake the ultimately successful 1,500-kilometre rescue mission.

“This documentary follows his family’s attempt to recreate that incredible mission through mountainous waves and freezing temperatures over the course of 10 days, It also features material from Aidan Dooley’s ‘Tom Crean: Antarctic Explorer’ show.

“Robert Mulhern supervised the production and Marie Mullen narrated, and I hope listeners tune in on the weekend of August 5 and 6 to follow how the family got on. It will also be available online at www.rte.ie/radio1/doconone/ from Friday August 4 if you can’t wait!”

‘Team Tom Crean’ taking a rare breather while following the footsteps of their famous ancestor.