A two-year-old loggerhead turtle rescued off the Co Mayo coast earlier this year is hitching a ride to warmer waters this afternoon on board the LÉ William Butler Yeats.
The naval vessel is departing from Cork on a six-week tour in the Mediterranean.
Over the years, the Irish navy has helped repatriate several turtles that have been rescued in Irish waters.
The loggerhead, which is an endangered species, was nicknamed Cróga (meaning the brave).
She was nursed back to health over the past three months by the staff at Oceanworld in Daingean Uí Chúis and recently deemed fit to be returned home.
At the time, her survival was deemed "an absolute miracle" because of the journey she would have made across thousands of miles in freezing temperatures from the Gulf of Mexico.
Waiting to meet their special charge was Lieutenant Jason O'Brien and Ensign Philip Hyland, who will look after Cróga until her release in three days, weather permitting.
Kevin Flannery, who brought the turtle from Oceanworld this morning, said she was in feisty form and warned her minders that once she was released back into the water, she would take off like a rocket.
His last-minute instructions included keeping her moist using a water spray and petroleum jelly.
Lieutenant O'Brien smilingly agreed the turtle would be travelling first class rather than steerage and is a very welcome guest on board the vessel whose mascot is a shark.
Ensign Hyland said once they reach the Island of Madeira and Cape St Vincent, Cróga will be taken on board a launch and released back into the water, which should be a very comfortable 20C.
Mr Flannery said it was typical for the young turtles to spend their teenage years - up to around 20 years of age - swimming in the Mediterranean before making their way back to the Gulf of Mexico.
Mr Flannery said it was serendipitous that Cróga was travelling on the LÉ William Butler Yeats quoting the poet's line, "I shall arise and go now and go to Innisfree".
Read more: 'An absolute miracle' - loggerhead turtle washes up on Mayo coast
