Tom ‘The Pole’ – Antarctic Hero
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Tom Crean (1877-1938) was born on a farm near the village Annascaul in Co. Kerry.
At the age of 15 he joined the British Navy and ended up being on three of the four major British Antarctic expeditions:
- The “Discovery” (1901 – 1904)
- The “Terra Nova” (1910 – 1913)
- The “Endurance” (1914 – 1916)
Despite a personal request from Ernest Shackleton, he rejected the chance to sail on the “Quest” in 1921.
Tom Crean spent more time in the Antarctic region that either Robert Scott or Ernest Shackleton and he lived longer than both of them.
After his Antarctic explorations he took part in the First World War. He retired from the Navy in 1920 after 27 years of service.
Crean married Eileen Herlihy in 1917 and they had three daughters. Two of his daughters, Mary and Eileen, are still alive today. Their sister Katherine died at the age of four.
Tom Crean opened up his own pub, “The South Pole Inn”, in Anascaul, in 1927.
Tom Crean died in 1938 at the age of 61 in the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork of a burst appendix.
A Video Tribute to Tom Crean
Mount Crean in Victoria Land and the Crean Glacier on South Georgia commemorate this humble and selfless man.
Tom was decorated with sword at Buckingham Palace. He received several medals including three Polar Medals and the Albert Medal.
Tom Crean never spoke publically about his Antarctic endeavours.
An unsung Irish hero.
Rest well Tom.
(Tom Crean – Antarctic Explorer written and performed by Aidan Dooley ~ check the website for dates and venues of performances)
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Its freekin arctic here today I tell you, there was SNOW on the blue mountains. 30 in the shade on Sunday and 9 today, I can’t help thinking Paddy that you rather fancy ourself in a big cable jumper with a fistful of puppies!
Went to the show by Aidan Dooley, very good it was too. The Book I read on Shakleton covered most of what he was relatying, but the execution was very good indeed, well worth it.
Tom Crean did all that without the help of modern day equiptment or the ‘Polar’ clothing of today!
Men of his ilk were real Heroes!
I’ve been fascinated by the adventures of Tom Crean ever since I happened upon ‘The South Pole’ pub in Annascaul where there was a fantastic photographic display of his expeditions. You’ve brought back lovely memories of a music session I enjoyed there about 20 years ago.
My hubby and I returned to the area some years later and went in search of Tom Crean’s grave in the local abandoned graveyard but to no avail. The ‘Inn’ had a new look having changed ownership and sadly, had lost some of it’s wonderful sense of history.
I’ll raise my glass to Tom Crean anyday!