After four years seven Irish sailors have completed one of the world's most difficult sea voyages.
The crew of the Northabout were given a huge reception when they arrived back in Westport, where their 16,000 miles voyage had begun four years earlier. They had sailed where no other yacht had ever gone on a voyage circumnavigating the North Pole via the North West Passage. Expedition leader and navigator Paddy Barry says it is great to be back.
When you go round the world, you can not go any further and we went round in the most interesting way possible.
Dr Mike Brogan says that they never set out to break any records.
The crew of Northabout battled gales, blizzards, frozen seas and cramped conditions on board their boat.
Skipper Jarlath Cunnane describes some of the challenges they faced and how they almost got frozen in on the Northeast Passage.
Mary Barry, wife of crew member Paddy Barry, has nothing but praise for the men and their spirit of adventure.
The crew also included Colm Brogan, Rory Casey, Kevin Cronin and Garry Finnegan.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 12 October 2005. The reporter is Jim Fahy.
