The Irish-American writer, Frank McCourt, has died in New York at the age of 78.
He was suffering from meningitis and had recently been treated for skin cancer.
Frank McCourt was the author of 'Angela's Ashes' - a narrative of his childhood in Limerick - which won him a Pulitzer Prize and was translated throughout the world.
'Angela's Ashes', which was named after his mother, also won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the Los Angeles Times Book Award in the US and was made into a film directed by Alan Parker.
He taught creative writing to high school students in New York City for 30 years before achieving literary acclaim with his 1996 biography.
Frank McCourt is survived by his wife Ellen and daughter Maggie.
The Mayor of Limerick and the University of Limerick have paid tribute to Frank McCourt.
Mayor Kevin Kiely described him as one of Limerick's most successful and talented sons.
Acting UIL President Professor Paul McCutcheon said the university was very saddened to learn of the passing of a dear friend and supporter.
Frank McCourt was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the University in 1997. He was also a director of the Board of the UIL Foundation and also spent time there as a writer-in-residence.
