Campaign to name new naval ships in honour of Irish polar explorers

Petty officer Michéal O'Donovan at the memorial to relative Patrick Keohane, antarctic explorer near Broadstrand Beach at Courtmacsherry. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

A push is on to get new Naval Service ships named after Irish-born polar explorers, including Ernest Shackleton whose ship Endurance was discovered a few days ago, and Corkman Edward Bransfield who's credited as the first person to see Antarctica.

Naval Service ships in recent years have been named after women and writers, but now lobbyists want the country's role in polar discovery recognised.