Presidential salute for Pole explorers

IRELAND’S intrepid South Pole explorers were last night given a special reception by President Mary McAleese at Áras an Uachtaráin to honour their accomplishment.

The four-person team, who made history by becoming the first Irish expedition to reach the South Pole, have also been invited to Stormont by the North’s Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The team, led by veteran adventurer Pat Falvey, were given a rousing welcome by hundreds of supporters on Thursday when they arrived in Cork after their 58-day polar trek.