Mr Higgins also leaves Aras an Uachtarain as a figure who has inspired memes, tea cosies and children’s books.

Born on April 18 1941 in Limerick city, Michael Daniel Higgins was the third of John and Alice Higgins’s four children.

A War of Independence veteran, John Higgins struggled with alcohol which exacerbated his poor health and Michael and his brother were sent to Newmarket-on-Fergus, County Clare to live with their aunt and uncle.

After leaving school the future President Higgins worked in a factory and as a clerk before studying at University College Galway, the first of his family to access higher education.

As a student he led demonstrations, the beginning of a life-long commitment to speaking out on issues such as the rights of women and people with disabilities.

An academi

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