A MAN who died after falling from a cliff in a beauty spot has been remembered as one of life's characters.
Alan Hope (71) from Whitehead, died after losing his footing while out walking near the Gobbins cliff walk in Islandmagee, Co Antrim.
Police confirmed that the body of a man was recovered from the sea by the Coastguard after he had been reported missing from the Gobbins area on Sunday.
Mr Hope worked most of his life for the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
It is understood that he was at a well-known look-out point on the cliff path where he was exploring before he died.
Whitehead Golf Club paid tribute to Mr Hope last night.
"Alan loved to play cards, he loved a drink, he loved to socialise and boy, did he love to dance," the club said.
"He was a great athlete at school and had the most natural golf swing that you could ever see. He played off a low single figure handicap for years. Alan represented Whitehead Golf Club on many occasions and in his younger days reached the final of the Ulster Youths Championship, only to be beaten by the now famous, David Feherty."
It added that he was "an extremely caring individual".
"That was plainly obvious in his caring of his terminally ill girlfriend, Jane. Caring for and loving her until her demise."
