By Sean Moriarty

Killarney residents will learn all about the importance of healthy hearts and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training at a day-long event.

This Sunday, members of the public will be able to learn how to use a defibrillator at the ANAM Cultural Centre at the event hosted by the Killarney Cardiac Response Unit.

The Irish Heart Foundation will also be in attendance and will be offering free blood pressure tests.

The local event, which runs from 10am to 4pm at the East Avenue venue, coincides with the European-wide Restart A Heart Day.

Killarney Cardiac Response Unit has been hosting a series of events in the run up to Sunday.
Activities include an art competition and entries from 17 schools in the wider Killarney area will be on display.

On Wednesday of this week, the local organisation held a well-attended information evening at the Great Southern Killarney.

“Sunday is a public awareness day,” said Killarney Cardiac Response Unit’s Kevin O’Leary. “We will offer seven different training sessions throughout the day on how to use a defibrillator.”

Former phone boxes in Killarney, that are now homes to defibrillators, will turn blue to mark the occasion. Spin South West will broadcast live from the venue.