Billy O’Sullivan works with Heartbeat Killarney, a voluntary cardiac support group for those with heart disease. It is run by heart patients and carers, and is aimed at helping people to return to a normal life afterwards. Billy is encouraging men to monitor their health by attending regular check-ups. Every week in the month of January, we will share articles from Heartbeat Killarney which will provide more information on how to look after yourself. This week, Billy shares his story with us.
Billy first noticed mobility issues in 1999. While walking, he would plan deliberate stops along his route to make it seem normal, he assumed it was down to being overweight. He said: “I blamed the tightness in my chest to tension and stress. An odd time I would have a tightness in my wrists, but I put that down to lifting things too heavy for me. I muddled along this way for a year or so until I started to get severe indigestion after a bout of tension in my chest.”
Billy went to the pharmacy to obtain medication for his indigestion, and she saw his condition first-hand. The pharmacist advised him to go straight to the doctor. Billy described that moment as a wake-up call.
The pharmacist rang his doctor who saw him immediately, and Billy believes that phone call saved his life. He said: “An ECG was done, an anomaly spotted, and an appointment was booked with a Cardiologist who told me I had blockages in my veins and that an angiogram was needed.”
Billy described his experience with the doctor as very positive, saying he did not feel any anxiety waiting for his appointment. He explained: “I had the Angiogram and was referred to a heart surgeon who told me I needed surgery and would get an appointment in three months. In the meantime, I was to follow his instructions on how to keep my heart safe and got an emergency number to call if needed.”
This happened around the end of November; Billy wanted a family Christmas before his stay in hospital. In early December, he got a phone call asking if he would like his operation earlier due to a cancellation. He accepted it! Billy had his triple heart bypass and was home in time for Christmas.
Heartbeat Killarney is planning a special meeting and clinic on Tuesday, January 27. Billy is inviting men from 30 plus to attend on the night and learn more about how to look after their health.

Kerry Airport is gearing up for another year of growth in 2026, with passenger numbers in 2025 on course to exceed 430,000 for the first time.

The Spring/Summer schedule will be launched in January with increased frequency on routes to sun destinations in Spain and Portugal with Ryanair.

The Chief Financial Officer at Kerry Airport, Basil Sheerin, said the airport’s continued growth has been driven by the professionalism of their staff, with strong performances across fuel sales, retail and car-parking.

He noted the full benefits of the new Arrivals Hall and extended Departures Area will be seen in 2026.

According to Mr Sheerin, the main challenges in 2026 will continue to be attracting new airlines and routes.

He said: “A lack of aircraft availability is still a problem for airlines, and the expansion of fleets is considerably behind forecasts. Administrative expenses remain a challenge, with increased costs in wages, local authority rates, energy, and maintenance exerting pressure on our gross profit margin.”

He added that Kerry Airport continues to monitor these areas rigorously to ensure optimal value for money.

Kerry Airport today contributes more than €18 million annually to the local economy and supports over 135 direct jobs, including countless others in tourism, transport, and service industries that depend upon their success.

Between now to the end of March 2026, Kerry Airport will handle 59 flights per week from Dublin, London Stansted, London Luton, Manchester and Frankfurt Hahn.