South Pole hero hopes to inspire budding explorers

The conquering of the South Pole by the first Irish expedition will inspire budding explorers to learn more about Antarctica and the environmental dangers posed to it, it was claimed today.

The four-person team – Pat Falvey, 50, Dr Clare O’Leary, 35, Shaun Menzies, 42, and Jonathon Bradshaw, 36 – will meet President Mary McAleese this afternoon for a special reception to honour their accomplishment.