Tom Crean, County Kerry’s Polar Hero

Tom Crean is County Kerry’s polar hero. Tom Crean was a key member of several early Antarctic exhibitions. Tom Crean (1877-1938)

Crean came from Anascaul on the Dingle Peninsula. At the age of 15 he signed up for the British Navy and in later life was a member of three of the four British Antarctic expeditions in the vessels Discovery (1901-04), Terra Nova (1910-13) and Endurance (1914-16).

Both Scott and Shackleton saw Tom Crean as a crucial member of their expeditions and Shackleton saw Tom Crean as a personal friend, Shackleton`s letters to Crean reflect immense warmth and liking for the Kerry man, whose physical and mental strengths were outstanding. And that from a Kildare man is something else.

When Endurance was trapped and crushed in the ice and the crew sailed in small boats to Elephant Island, Shackleton chose Crean as one of the small crew that continued on the epic 800 mile sea voyage from Elephant Island to South Georgia to bring help to their stranded companions.

Tom Crean also served through World War 1 and retired in 1920.

Shackleton wanted Crean to accompany him on his final expedition on The Quest in 1921 but Crean declined.

Tom Crean had spent more time on Antarctica than either Scott or Shackleton.

He opened his pub, The South Pole Inn, at Annascaul , married and had three daughters. Crean’s later life was quiet and unassuming, like the man himself, but his remarkable achievements have become recognised at home and abroad. His name lives on in the title of “Crean Glacier” on South Georgia and “Mt Crean” in Victoria Land.

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Tom Crean