Old Drogheda Society - Activities and Events

 

The Old Drogheda Society will host an illustrated  lecture " Northabout – The Story of the Irish Expedition to Circumnavigate the Arctic Polar Ice-Cap" on Wednesday February 24th in the Governor's House Millmount at 8pm .  The lecture will be presented by Jarlath Cunnane  who will tell the story of the Irish polar expedition to sail Westward around the Arctic ice-cap from the West coast of Ireland in the purpose built ice-strengthened 15 metre sailing yacht named Northabout. Starting from Westport Co. Mayo in 2001, they sailed in the wake of Franklin's lost expedition, and of the many early Irish explorers who left their names on the polar landscape. Having successfully transited the North-West passage, Northabout then tackled the North-East passage - over the roof of Russia. Successfully completing the north-east passage over the course of two years, Northabout returned to Westport in 2005, setting a new record - the first small yacht to complete both the north-west and north-east passages in a westward direction. The images show stunning scenes of the people and wildlife of the northern regions, and the extraordinary polar landscapes of the Arctic and of Siberia..

Jarlath Cunnane was responsible for the building of Northabout and was her skipper.  A construction manager from County Mayo, Jarlath has sailed extensively throughout the North Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea with a lifetime's sailing experience off the West Coast of Ireland. He built and sailed Tom Crean, the replica of Shackletons' James Caird lifeboat used in the South Arís expedition.
              Married to Madeleine they have two children. Jarlath has twice been awarded the Irish Cruising Club's Atlantic Medal . The lecture is open to the general public and there will be an Old Drogheda Society bookstall available on the night .