Explorer Pat Falvey and his Beyond Endurance team have received a heroes welcome at Cork Airport.

President Mary McAleese will today honour four explorers who made history by becoming the first Irish expedition to reach the South Pole.

The first British woman to walk solo and unaided to the South Pole was said to be elated today after finishing the trek in record time.

An English explorer has battled her way into the record books by trekking unaided to the South Pole in the fastest time to date, it emerged today.