A spectacular journey through the Arctic, as an Irish expedition shadows one of the most tragic stories in polar history.

150 years ago, the most famous arctic explorer in the world sailed his ships into the ice clogged seas of Arctic Canada and vanished without trace. John Franklin was trying to find a Northwest Passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific across the roof of America and his disappearance sparked the greatest search and rescue operation ever mounted. The searchers found skeletons scattered across the Arctic wastes and a story that horrified the world.

A group of Irish adventurers were inspired by the extraordinary drama of Franklin's lost expedition to follow his trail into the Arctic and attempt to sail through the Northwest Passage, one of the last truly challenging voyages left on Earth.

Led by veteran Irish sailors Paddy Barry & Jarlath Cunnane, the eight man crew hand made a 50 foot ice strengthened sailboat in a west of Ireland shed and set sail for the Pacific. On a spectacular three month adventure, they crossed the Atlantic, sailed up the magnificent west coast of Greenland, forced their way through the ice choked channels of the Northwest Passage and safely arrived in Alaska and the Pacific Ocean. They were perhaps the tenth small boat to ever make it through the Northwest Passage.

Filmed, directed and Produced by John Murray

For more information on the Northabout, profiles of the expedition members, Historical Background to the Northwest Passage and updated progress reports see www.northabout.com

For all enquiries please contact sales agent:
RTE Commercial Enterprises LTD
Library Sales, Donnybrook, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Tel: (+353-1) 2082030 / 2083369. Fax: (+353-1) 2083096
Email: librarysales@rte.ie

Northabout website - www.northabout.com
Franklin info - www.ric.rdu/rpotter/SJFranklin.html