'It was the hardest thing I've ever done': Irish woman completes record-breaking solo row across the Atlantic

Karen Weekes arrives in Bridgetown, Barbados, after her marathon 80-day, 3,000 mile, solo crossing. Picture: Andreas Riemenschneider 

A 54-year-old sports psychology lecturer at Munster Technological University has made history, becoming the first Irishwoman to row solo and unaided across the Atlantic ocean after more than 80 days rowing 3,000 nautical miles.

Dr Karen Weekes, from Kinvara, Co Galway, completed her record-breaking bid to be the first Irish woman to row solo across the Atlantic and only one of 20 women to ever row an ocean solo. She started her marathon journey from Gran Canaria on December 6 and rowed into Bridgetown harbour in Barbados late on Thursday evening, her arrival delayed due to adverse weather conditions.