One More Thing: Kirby clients take a leap as Hector pulls the strings

There were probably a few knees wobbling at the Aviva Stadium last weekend, as a group of construction industry executives and their multinational clients gathered high up on the stadium’s roof to take a leap into the unknown.

Fear not. Nobody was hurt and it was all for a good cause.

Kirby Group, the Limerick-based engineering company that employs 600 staff, sponsored the roof jumpers (mostly Kirby clients) as they abseiled off the roof for charity.

The company, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of its founding by members of the Kirby family, donated €500 to a charity nominated by each of the participants, raising a total of €40,000. Executives from companies including Eddie O'Connor's Mainstream Renewable Power, the PM Group, and John Sisk & Son took the plunge, as the Six Nations match was kicking off between Ireland and England over at Twickenham.

A myriad of good causes benefited from the event, such as Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, nominated by Des O'Broin, a partner in Bruce Shaw; the St Vincent de Paul, nominated by John Glynn, who helps run one of CRH's joint ventures in China; and Spinal Injuries Ireland, represented by Niall Gunne of London & Regional, which owns the Four Seasons hotel in Ballsbridge.

Kirby, still majority-owned by a member of the family, says it had a good year last year, with revenues of more than €90 million. It specialises in work such as the erection of wind turbines and the building of pharma plants.

Rugby stalwarts Eoin Reddan, who played for Ireland in last year's Six Nations, and Malcolm O'Kelly, now retired, also took part in the event. The MC was Hector Ó hEochagáin, who is to broadcasting what Marmite is to world cuisine. There is no shortage of folk who would take great pleasure in catapulting him off a roof sometime.

Rahu rahu rahu . . .