President recalls ‘snug’ Limerick childhood

President Michael D Higgins yesterday recalled the snugs of the pubs his father ran in his childhood days in Limerick City.

A rapt audience of almost 1,000 listened to President Higgins as he retraced his early upbringing in Limerick when he was bestowed the Freedom of Limerick, the first person to receive the honour from the new Limerick City and County Council.

The honour, which goes back to medieval times, was historically the preserve of the former Limerick City Council, who gave it to figures such as John F Kennedy, Pope Paul II, and the first president of Ireland, Douglas Hyde.