An American astronaut who has been stranded on the International Space Station while repairs take place to Nasa's space shuttle Atlantis received a morale boost yesterday when he held a live television link-up with his Irish in-laws.
Dan Tani from Illinois, who is married to Kinsale woman Jane Egan, took part in a live satellite feed with young pupils visiting Blackrock Castle Observatory, a new astronomical research centre in Cork.
Mr Tani was quizzed about life in space by his Irish nephews and local schoolchildren and also had the opportunity to have a conversation with his mother-in-law, Mary Egan.
Mrs Egan informed Mr Tani of the birth yesterday of a new boy in the Egan family. The astronaut's brother-in-law Tom and his wife Fiona Egan celebrated the birth shortly before 7am.
Mr Tani has been stuck aboard the space station since technical problems grounded the Atlantis shuttle before Christmas. The delay meant he had been unable to attend the funeral of his 90-year-old mother, Rose Tani, who was killed in a car accident in late December.
Yesterday's event was organised as a belated celebration of the astronaut's 47th birthday.
Mr Tani said it was a "great thrill" to be able to converse with his in-laws, nephews and friends in Cork city and he even did a space dance when a bodhrán was played in his honour. "It is so wonderful to be able to talk with all my friends and family down in Ireland and I can't wait to get back and see everyone in person, and congratulations to my brother-in-law Tom and his wife on their new arrival this morning. It is great news."
When asked by primary school pupils whether there would ever be an Irish astronaut in space, he said that as he was married to a Cork woman he considered himself an honorary Irishman.
Mr Tani's young Irish nephew Conor Egan laughed when the astronaut explained to him one of the downsides of wearing a space suit - the need to "itch your nose". He added: "If you study hard and lead a good life it is possible to be an astronaut."
Mrs Egan paid tribute to Mr Tani's mother Rose, whom she described as an amazing woman. "She went white-water rafting for her 80th birthday . . . We feel sorry for Dan. He is an amazing husband and father and we will be glad to have him home."
Mr Tani met his wife Jane at the Old Head of Kinsale in 1998 when she worked at the golf club in the west Cork town. They wed two years later and now live in Houston, Texas, with their two daughters - Keiko (3) and 18-month-old Lily.
Mr Tani, who left on the Discovery shuttle on October 23rd, hopes to be back on home soil by the end of February. He is expected to travel to Cork in the summer for a holiday with his wife and two children.