2010 June 30th - Invitation for Queen to visit Anascaul
As Part of the Tera Nova celebrations the Tom Crean Memorial Committee have invited the Queen of Englandto come and visit Tom Creans home village in Annascaul. Below is a copy of the invitation.
2010 January 4th - Update on planned Voyage to the Ross Sea now 2012
LATEST UPDATE to be posted here shortly, 13-07-10
Ross-Revisted Voyage to the Historic Huts of Scott and Shackleton - Our planned trip in conjunction with Beyond Endurance to the majestic Ross Sea is now going ahead in 2012. As many of you know we were scheduled to go this February and due to current global economics the voyage will take place in Jan/Feb 2012 exactly 100 years on. Further details will be annouced here soon.
No experience neceassary, open to all ages, details also available by emailing Niall Foley or visting www.beyondendurance.ie where you will find the original trip details. Bookings will be available very soon. You can also contact the society for further details.
2009 December 31st - Radio Kerry show and the Terra Nova New Years in Annascaul.
Update: Great show, well done to Daithi and the team involved.
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. Also a short presentation by Niall Foley on some of the highlights expected on the anticipated Ross Re-visited Voyage. (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.
TOM CREAN SOCIETY NEWS – SEPTEMBER 2006
- Added : 22/12/2006 Excellent news, the Arts Council have awarded a commission award to Rachel Holsted (composer) & Tom Crean Society (commissioner) a grant of 10,000.00 Euro in respect of the proposed Tom Crean Symphony.
- Apologies to all members due to lack of communication this year. Key members of the committee have not been well. But hopefully we are now back on line. The database of members is currently being updated and we will be in contact with old and new members shortly.
- Mid Winter Dinner Update : 25/10/2006 bookings now been taken for Mid Winter Dinner in the James Joyce House, Ushers Quay, Dublin on 12th December 2006. Numbers are limited and so are being issued on a first come basis. To reserve please contact our Society Secretary - Geraldine O'Connor on 087-2450786. Tickets are €100.00 per person and must be paid for in advance. Anyone interested in checking out the venue please refer to www.jamesjoycehouse.com . The house was originally owned by Joyce’s aunt and was the subject of a Joycean short story called The Dead which was later made into a film staring Angelica Heuston.This will be a special evening of good food, craic and ceoil with a group of people with a love of the Antarctic and its explorers. If you wish to reserve a ticket please e-mail to info@tomcrean.com.:"
- Week-end in Annascaul of 8-10th December 2006. Currently arranging lecture for Saturday evening and Tom Crean walk on Sunday morning. More information shortly.
- Tom Crean Symphony – The Society has commissioned Rachel Holstead of Lispole, Co. Kerry to write a symphony in honour of Tom Crean. It is hoped to have its inaugural performance in Dingle as part of Feile na Bealtine in 2008. Rachel has already spent some time in the Antarctic with Marie Kennedy taking sound recordings and photographs.
- Tom Crean Play – a play has recently been written by Frances Kay for Team Educational Theatre Company featuring Tom Crean as one of the main characters. This company has earned national acclaim over the last thirty years working with the Primary and post Primary curriculum and serving some 140 schools in the State every year. The play is called Last Call and is written to encourage students to connect with their own ideals – not simply morals which guide their everyday lives but the ultimate ideals that make us choose to do extraordinary things and survive against terrible odds.
- Aidan Dooley – his one man play has picked up yet another award! This time at the Edinburgh Festival.
- Pat Falvey - Beyond Endurnace Expedition leaves for Antarctica in three weeks, info at www.patfalvey.com.
- Collins Press - book launch, Tom Crean Illustrated by Michael Smith,author of The Unsung Hero, more info to follow.
- Dublin Branch - Eithne Casey and some friends are going to see Aidan Dooley's One Man show at the Andrews Lane Theatre on Monday 30th October. The Aidan Dooley show runs from 30/10/06 to 2/12/06. If any other members are interested in meeting up please contact Eithne e-mail eithnecasey@eircom.net . (item added 25/10/2006).
