Ireland's best known twins walked separately -- but hand in hand -- into their first day of "big school".
Formerly conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf (5) seemed un-phased as they joined the other children at the Educate Together National School in Middleton this morning.
They told reporters who had gathered expectantly that they were off to big school to do "Nothing. We were already here".
Their Mother Angie had more to say when she spoke to Newstalk.com's Pat Kenny show:
"We were holding the boys' hands right up 'til the school gate. And then we let go and they held each others' hands and walked independently, on their own. It was their first time to walk independently in public... That was very overwhelming. This was our dream since they were seperated. We dared to dream it but wondered really would it ever come true... It's the happy ending we've always dreamed of for them"
Hassan and Hussein on their first day at school. Photo: Fiona Donnelly, Cork's 96 FM
Hassan and Hussein were seperated in 2010 during a complicated operation in London.
Angie found out she was carrying conjoined twins at her 12 week scan, when she was given little hope that they would survive.
She later found out that they had a heart each, and that they were boys.
When she spoke to Pat last year - during a longer interview - the twins were still facing considerable health challenges, but Angie said from the time she learned they had a heart each she was hopeful they could survive:
