Josephine Kiernan returns home having become the first Irish woman to climb Mount Everest.
Josie (Josephine) Kieran is the first woman from Ireland to climb Mount Everest. Returning to Dublin, Josie Kieran said that climbing 28,750 feet to the south summit was the most physically taxing climb of her life.
Hundreds gathered to cheer Josephine Kiernan as she arrived at Dublin Airport today.
A nurse and mother, from County Louth, Josie Kieran on reaching the south summit raised the tri-colour and raised funds for a number of charities in the process. The flag had been given to her by President Mary McAleese. Speaking at Dublin Airport, a joyous Josie Kiernan had a message.
To the women of Ireland, I repeat. Have faith in yourselves. Follow your dream and success will follow.
As Josie Kieran arrived home, five young people set off on their own journey to Uganda. The group are on a ten week expedition as part of their efforts to be awarded Gaisce gold medals by the President next January. While in Uganda, they will be assigned specific projects and tasks such as building shelters for the homeless and carrying out surveys on the animals in the national parks. The five travellers include Annelea Heffernan from Ferns, County Wexford; Karl Fitzgerald from Sandycove; Aideen Morrison from Enfield, County Meath; Frank Wall from Kilkenny and Kenneth Goodwin from Tullamore.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 1 June 1998. The reporter is Deirdre McCarthy.
