A search-and-rescue operation is continuing off Valentia island in Co Kerry today after an professional climber was sept out to sea by a wave.
The accident occurred at about 5.15pm when 33-year-old Michael Reardon, one of the world's leading exponents of unaided climbing, fell from rocks into the sea at Dohilla, off the north side of the island.
The location is just underneath Valentia Coast Guard station and is a popular climbing area for enthusiasts.
Reardon who has been staying in Killarney and was visiting Valentia for the day, was with two other climbers, who raised the alarm.
It is understood he was part of a taking photographs of the Skelligs for an American publication when he fell.
Gerry O'Brien of the Valentine Coastguard said it was very unusual for people to be rock-climbing in the area where the accident happened.
The Valentia lifeboat, a Shannon-based search-and-rescue helicopter, Coast Guard and cliff-rescue units, and a large number of locals are involved in the search this morning.
A spokeswoman said the a 14-square-mile area had been searched to date and good sea and weather conditions should lead to naval divers beign used this evening.
Reardon had been due to fly home to his wife tomorrow. His wife and daughter are understood to be on their way from their California home to Ireland.
Reardon's style of climbing is known as free solo - climbing without safety equipment or other aids. He had a developing media profile and used his experiences to produce slide shows for his motivational seminars.
He also worked as a film director and screen writer and owned his own film production company. He also made rock climbing instructional films.
He was particulalrly fond of climbing in Ireland both around the Co Kerry and elsewhere.
On his website, freesoloist.com, Reardon writes, "the only competition is yourself in this game of life".