Liam passed away on 6th January 2024. At his funeral we learnt of his many facets aside from being a dedicated climber and a wonderful family man.
In the IMC Liam was very active, serving on the committee including a stint as President, engaging in training and a regular attendee at club meets. As a teenager he showed his drive by finding his place on Blackrock College Junior and Senior Cup teams. As an adult Liam was involved in Orienteering, Scottish country dancing , a member of the Guinness Choir. In each activity, he brought his good humour and a talent for making friends and giving back to others. This was a side of him that came through strongly in the tributes at the time of his death.
In his professional life as a dentist he set up Ireland’s school of Paediatric Dentistry on returning from training in America. He passed on his love of the Outdoors to his four daughters of whom he was very proud.
Climbing ‘Hyperion’ in Dalkey Quarry on the IMC introduction course had him hooked. He enjoyed trips to the Alps with Bob Norton and climbed with a wide variety of IMC members on Meets. He loved new routing with Gerry Moss and the pair climbed together in Ireland, England, the Swiss and French Alps and Italian Dolomites – later enjoying hot rocking in Spain, Croatia, Malta and Morocco. He shared a love of climbing and orienteering with Joss Lynam and was a regularly in the quarry in later years with his good friend Bill Hannon. He enjoyed passing his knowledge and passion for climbing to new club members – as the many tributes after his death acknowledge.
In later years , as he sadly slid into dementia, Liam set himself a challenge of hiking the highest peak in each county. It was a pleasure to share with him his final ascent, Errigal . His quiet dignity in facing this challenge is a lasting inspiration.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam .
John Duignan