Shackleton relative sets the navy an icy goal

A relative of one of the world’s greatest explorers believes there’s no reason why the Irish navy cannot, at some stage in the future, mount an expedition to the Antarctic.

Jonathan Shackleton, second cousin of the famed explorer Ernest Shackleton, made his comments as he watched the navy’s 25 newest recruits passing out at their Haulbowline base in Co Cork yesterday.

The navy named the recruit class after the Kildare-born explorer in honour of his expeditions to Antarctica.