Ireland Honours Tom Crean in a groundbreaking victory for the campaign

January 31st 2021 will go down in history as the day Ireland finally honoured Tom Crean and an 11-year campaign for his official honour has particular cause to celebrate with all Crean fans across the world. 

It was one of the 16,175 signatories to the petition, Lorcán Ó Cinnéide, who brought the aim of the campaign to honour Tom Crean, to the attention of the board of the Marine Institute of which he was a member.

After familiarising themselves with Crean’s incredible story, a historic decision to name the new government funded research vessel, RV Tom Crean, was made and Lorcán informed the campaign creator, Tim Foley, of the ground-breaking news.

Lorcán, who signed the campaign petition (see above), a day after it was created in 2016, said:

“This is just and long overdue reward for Tom, and a great day for the campaign to have him recognised.” 

With another 30,000 fans of the social media platforms of the Ireland Should Honour Tom Crean Facebook page, now renamed The Tom Crean Story, the decision will be warmly welcomed by them and by all fans of Tom Crean around the world who believed he was most deserving of recognition from his country after his heroic contributions over three pioneering expeditions to Antarctica in the early 20th Century.

The custodians of Tom Crean’s name, (his direct descendants), who surprisingly did not support the campaign, after stating: “Tom Crean’s name was already well-established”, expressed delight at the news after it was announced.

RV Tom Crean will be based at Oranmore, County Galway and is currently undergoing construction. It is expected to be completed by summer 2022.

Campaign organiser Tim Foley said:

“It was in April 2020 that Lorcan made me aware of his efforts to have this vessel named in honour of Crean and I’ve kept it under my hat until today. I’m delighted for all Tom Crean fans and I’m indebted to the supporters of this campaign one of whom, played a pivotal role in bringing its aim to fruition.”

The petition that brought this historic decision about, will remain open to those wishing to sign it as it aims for a double celebration should the government also honour Crean in the naming of a planned new Irish Navy flagship. 

The Irish Navy ship, which has already been given the green light by the Irish government, will have full hospital facilities and will be used to provide humanitarian aid in times of emergency in Ireland and in other countries where conflicts or climate disaster threaten civilian populations.

Anyone wishing to add their name to the petition in an attempt for double celebration, can do so at the following web address: 

https://www.change.org/SignForTom

The books that reveal why Tom Crean deserved national recognition

To learn more about this incredible man I’ve written a fully-referenced account that in March 2021 gave rise to substantial revisions to Crean’s story in the Dictionary of Irish Biography.

The book addresses a number of inaccuracies previously written about him and it reveals his incredible life with events and new stories that have never before been published.

All formats of the third edition of the biography ‘Crean – The Extraordinary Life of an Irish Hero’, including a hardcover version and an audiobook, are available via all major online retailers

For children, aged 6-10 years-old, it was important for me to chronicle Tom Crean’s story for the younger generation. The book ‘Tom The Mighty Explorer’, is based on the research I undertook for the grown-ups biography. Like the adult version, it’s generating excellent reviews from those who’ve read the print version or who have listened to the audiobook. Available via all major online booksellers, you can discover more about where to order the books here.

Because of my research Tom Crean's story has changed so do please share the posts.

  

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