I thought that Patrick Keohane might close off a hat-trick of Antartic Explorers. I came across this memorial, sculpted by Don Cronin, a few months ago. The location is beautiful – he is still keeping an eye on what is coming into the bay. Sometimes thought of knowing I’ll probably never see the other side of the hill, whatever particular hill at the time, does get me down. If I keep repeating it, some day I will have the laithróidí to get busy living. |
PATRICK KEOHANE
Antarctic Explorer
1879 – 1950
1895: Enlisted in Royal Navy at Queenstown (Cobh) Co. Cork
1907: Attained rank of Petty Officer 1st Class
1910 – 1913: Chosen as team member of Capt. Robert Scott’s Expedition to the South Pole.
1914: Returned to Ireland and married Bridget Mary O’Driscoll. Moved to Plymouth.
1916 – 1917: Trained naval recruits at Davenport Naval Base in U.K.
1918: Retired from the Royal Navy and Joined the Coastguard Service
1920 – 34: Served at Coastgurad Stations in Ireland, Scotland and United Kingdom.
1934: Transferred to Isle of Man as District Officer of Ramsey Coastguard Station
1941: retired from the Coastguard Service
1941: Appointed instructor at ‘Valkyrie’, the secret Radar & Telegraphy School on Isle of Man
1945: Returned with his family to Plymouth at the end of World War 2.
1950: Died on August 31st at the age of 71 years.
In his graveside oration, Cherry-Garrard, his companion from Scott’s expedition said of Patrick Keohane.
“He always wanted to see the other side of the hill – and he saw”