A Kerry county councillor says it's appropriate that a vessel to be named after Kerry's Antarctic explorer would officially take place in the county.

The Marine Institute has commissioned a new research vessel, which is to be named the RV Tom Crean in honour of the explorer.

In 1893 at the age of 16, Tom Crean departed Minard in Lispole and joined the Royal Navy.

In the early 1900s, he was part of three British expeditions which had hoped to be the first to reach the South Pole.

He received an Albert Medal for his lifesaving efforts during the final expedition.

Last year, the Marine Institute commissioned a research vessel, which they intend to name the RV Tom Crean as revealed by Afloat back in January.

For more on the councillor's call, click onto Radio Kerry's coverage in addition the last update on the newbuild's progress.