One of those to be uploaded are photographed above which was spotted when we walked along the Cliffs of Moher at the end of August.
When I read the inscription, I immediately remembered hearing of the accident but could not remember why it was significant to the memory.
I never met Dominic again once the project finished. When I met the builder some years later, he mentioned the accident and Dominic losing his life. I had not realised this but I did remember Dominic with a smile – a pleasant and happy outlook does have an effect on others.
More than 10 years later, reading the plaque on the Cliffs of Moher, I could not recall why the accident was tagged with significance in the memory. Reverting to the internet, that smile returned with some disappointment that the memory had faded so far.
More recently, I met with someone who was part of the abseiling group that day who filled in some details. All had descended in the morning and had lunch at the base of the cliff. Louis O’Driscoll remained on the sand as safety man for the ropes while all others walked back to the top of the cliff – 633 ft. Lots were drawn to establish the order for the afternoon descent and Dominic and Jenny Farrell were drawn as the first to descend.
They safely reached the bottom and were unroped. The next pair were readying themselves when a huge clap was heard – a massive rockfall from the cliff face between those at the top and the three at the bottom.
I am fairly sure that I do not wish to skydive, bungy-jump or complete a triathlon but with each passing day I am more and more convinced that I have seen enough television to last the rest of my life, and, that the repetitive humdrum of everyday life needs to be hit with new challenges and experiences much more regularly.
I am now older than Dominic was when he died.
To steal from Shawshank Redemption,
'I guess it comes down to a simple choice, you know – Get Busy Living or Get Busy Dying’