The search continues today for missing rock climber Michael Reardon.
The operation enetered its thrid day this morning off Valentia island in Co Kerry the 33-year-old professional climber was sept out to sea by a wave.
The accident occurred at about 5.15pm on Friday 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.
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 along with navy divers.
Reardon had been due to fly home today after a on-month sstaay in Ireland - one of his favourite climbing destinations. 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".