Request to officially name RV Tom Crean in Kerry

It's proposed to sail the vessel named after Kerry's Antarctic explorer past the port he departed from 128 years earlier.

Ireland's new marine research vessel, which is due to be finished next year, is to be named the RV Tom Crean in honour of the Annascaul man.

In 1893, at the age of 16, Tom Crean left Kerry from the port in Minard, Lispole, beginning a career with the British Navy which included three expeditions to the Antarctic.

Fianna Fáil councillor Breandan Fitzgerald is asking the council to request the vessel be sailed past Minard and officially named in Dingle when complete.