Climbing Limerick Hero Is Remembered In Native Limerick

Half a dozen white doves were releases into the dark County Limerick sky yesterday as a tribute to the "free spirit" of mountain climber Ger McDonnell, who died after his historic climb to the summit of the K2 mountain earlier this month.

The 37-year-old, the first Irish person to climb to the world's second highest mountain in the Himalayas, perished with 10 other climbers after an avalanche during their descent from the summit on August 2nd.

Today’s Irish Times reports that McDonnell, described yesterday as a "humble hero", had stopped to help three climbers who were in difficulty when he was hit by the icefall. More than 2,000 mourners converged on his native Co Limerick village of Kilcornan yesterday for a memorial Mass and celebration of his life. Mourners were led yesterday by Gerard's widowed mother Gertie, brother JJ, sisters Martha, Stephanie and Denise, as well as his partner Annie Starkey.