A two-man team of climbers from Northern Ireland reached the summit of Mount Everest early today.
Mr Terence "Banjo" Bannon from Newry, Co Down and New Zealander Mr Jamie McGuinness reached the top of the world's highest mountain after taking nine hours to climb the final 500 metres.
It is the first time a team from Northern Ireland has reached the summit and follows the success of an team from the Republic earlier in the month.
Speaking by satellite phone from the summit, Mr McGuinness said the pair were overjoyed. "It is two or three hours after sunrise and we are feeling great."
The two men are understood to have suffered some frostbite in their hands.
They made it to the top at the second attempt, having been beaten back by the weather on the same day the other Irish team succeeded.
Mr Bannon's mother Rose said she was extremely proud of her son's accomplishment.
As she celebrated she said: "I'm just over the moon, I haven't come back to earth yet.
"I heard Terence on the radio that they have up there with them - it only went for a few seconds - I just heard him say, 'This is Banjo and I'm on top ofMount Everest at the summit'."
PA