PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has led tributes to the bestselling Irish author Emma Hannigan, who has died following an 11-year battle with cancer.
In a blog post last month, the 45-year-old revealed that her breast cancer had become terminal.
The Wicklow-born writer was first diagnosed with the disease in 2007, having discovered she was carrying that BRCA 1 gene, and fought the disease 10 times over the last decade.
On Saturday afternoon, Breast Cancer Ireland broke the news of the death of its "dear friend" on social media.
The mother-of-two had started a fundraising campaign to raise money for the charity, which has raised more than €100,000.
"It's never too late to dream big, keep dreaming," she told her followers on Twitter.
"Thank you so much, please keep those donations coming in and don't stop until we reach the top."
Fans and fellow authors had also rallied together in recent weeks to promote Ms Hannigan’s later book, her 13th to be published, to make it another bestseller.
The novel, Letters to My Daughters, currently tops the Irish charts with more than 4,000 copies sold last week.
President Higgins said she "leaves a lasting legacy not only through her work as a much-appreciated author but also through her exemplary courage in dealing with terminal illness".
"She will be remembered as a powerful advocate for Breast Cancer Ireland, a great cause worthy of all of our support.
"To her husband Cian, her son Sacha and daughter Kim, and to her wider family and circle of friends, Sabina and I send our deepest sympathies."
Majella O'Donnell, wife of singer Daniel, was also among the many to express their condolences online, saying the author "inspired me at a very difficult time" when she had breast cancer and "fought such an amazing battle".
