I would like tell anyone who has been keeping an eye on this weekend’s events on K2 (and the rest of the board), that one of those lost was a friend of Irish traditional music. Gerard McDonnell, was a fine bodhran player and had a great love for the music. He was also, of course, a top climber and adventurer, having summited both Everest and reached the South Pole, and a proud Irishman, he pucked a sliotar from Everest’s peak and was eulogized today by Mary McAleese. Upon first climbing Denali (McKinley), he took with him an Eamonn McGuire bodhran and played it while at the top.
He introduced me to Irish traditional music.
He was a great man.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7539506.stm