2020 marked the 200th anniversary of the discovery of the Antarctic continent by the Irishman, Edward Bransfield from Cork whose 1820 journey began the great era of exploration later featuring Captain Scott, Roald Amundsen and Sir Ernest Shackleton from Kildare. Irishmen such as Bransfield, Francis Crozier and Tom Crean played a significant part in early Antarctic exploration but their pioneering feats have been overlooked by history, even in Ireland.

Michael Smith is an authority on Polar exploration whose books have opened a new chapter in Irish history. He has written nine books, appeared in TV and radio documentaries for RTE and the BBC. He has lectured at many literary festivals in Ireland, including Writers’ Week, Cúirt, West Cork Literary Festival, Mountains to Sea Festival Dublin, Eigse and the Ennis Book Festival. Michael has also spoken at many prestigious venues, including: National Library of Ireland, The National Museum of Ireland, National Maritime Museum, London, Princess Grace Memorial Library Monaco, Queen’s Gallery Buckingham Palace, Royal Geographical Society, Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Scott Polar Research Institute Cambridge. Michael’s books include An Unsung Hero – Tom Crean, Shackleton – By Endurance We Conquer, Great Endeavour – Ireland’s Antarctic Explorers and Captain Francis – Last Man Standing and for younger readers, Tom Crean – Iceman. Michael is a former award-winning journalist with The Guardian and The Observer.

Michael’s most recent book: Icebound in the Arctic. The Mystery of Captain Francis Crozier and The Franklin Expedition has just been published by The O’Brien Press.