Coming up in the Irish Heart Foundation

Here’s a look at some of the events and activities the Irish Heart Foundation has planned over the coming months.

The 2026 Heart Heroes Abseil Challenge has been rescheduled to Saturday, 8th August, and will now take place at the iconic Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This unique event gives you the opportunity to abseil from one of Ireland’s most iconic landmarks, all while raising vital funds and awareness for heart health.

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss your opportunity to take part in this incredible experience. If you’re interested, be sure to contact jconway@irishheart.ie today and secure your place!

Priority cardiovascular care needs in Ireland’s Regional Health Areas – 14th July, Leinster House. 

This July, the Oireachtas Heart and Stroke Group will host a briefing at Leinster House to address priority cardiovascular care needs across Ireland’s new Regional Health Areas.

As funding for health services is delegated to these six new regional structures, prioritising cardiovascular funding is vital to support the thousands of people seeking treatment or living at risk in every region. The healthcare system must adapt swiftly to ensure that regional delivery structures can meet the urgent clinical, rehabilitation, and long-term support needs for heart, stroke and thrombosis patients nationwide.

The event will give a platform to patients, alongside leading clinical consultants and advocates, to outline critical national and regional care requirements. Attendees will hear first-hand accounts from Irish Heart Foundation Patient Champions about the reality of living with these conditions, alongside expert clinical insights, creating a call to action for TDs and Senators to safeguard funding for vital medical and patient support services.

Launch of the Irish Heart Foundation pre-budget submission 2027 

This autumn, the Irish Heart Foundation will launch its Pre-Budget Submission 2027 ahead of the government budget announcement in October. Developed in collaboration with staff and our Patient Champion network, the submission presents evidence-based fiscal recommendations to focus investment on public health, stroke prevention, and cardiovascular disease strategies. These recommendations will be presented to Ministers, TDs, and Senators to secure vital funding and protection for patients over the following twelve months.

Ireland assumes Presidency of the Council of the European Union  

In July, Ireland assumes the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, presenting a welcome opportunity to progress European health policy. The Irish Heart Foundation will use this influential six-month period to amplify the collective voice of cardiovascular patients at a European level. The presidency provides a platform to ensure that the EU Safe Hearts Plan addresses real patient needs, while also advancing critical updates to tobacco control legislation to protect future generations.

The Irish Heart Foundation’s Heart Connect Service is an information service offered over the phone in addition to your usual medical care.  It offers support around coping with psychological impacts, and reinforces education around symptom-management, encouraging the use of social supports and signposting services.

Originally developed for heart failure patients, we are delighted to announce that from 1^st August the service will cover all heart conditions.

For more information, please contact heartservices@irishheart.ie

Celebrating 60 Years of Care through Creativity 

A Stroke of HeART is a national creative wellbeing programme developed for heart, stroke and carer members of the Irish Heart Foundation in collaboration with the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA). The project provides a safe, supportive environment where participants can use art to aid emotional recovery, reduce isolation, build confidence and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Two workshops of 4-week duration were run with two cohorts this year. One was an in-person workshop at IMMA and the other was online, allowing us to offer greater access to our members. Lisa Kenny (pictured above) was one of our members attending the IMMA workshop. The programme will culminate this September in a major 60th Anniversary Showcase and a documentary capturing the journey. More details to follow.

This September, challenge yourself by taking part in our “60 in September” event! Whether you choose to walk, jog, or run, aim to complete 60 miles (or kilometres) over the month while helping to ensure that the Irish Heart Foundation continues to be here for every heartbeat. It’s a fun, flexible way to stay active, boost your wellbeing, and make a real difference.

Every participant will receive an exclusive event t-shirt, and those who complete the challenge will earn a special souvenir medal to celebrate their achievement.

Sign up, get moving, and be part of something meaningful this September! For more information, contact jconway@irishheart.ie

As we look ahead over the next few months, we’re excited to bring colleagues, partners and supporters together for two key initiatives that put health and wellbeing at the heart of the workplace.

Launching for the first time this year, our 60 in September Workplace Challenge is all about team participation and shared goals. Designed to be inclusive and flexible, the challenge encourages colleagues of all fitness levels to get involved, whether through lunchtime walks, after-work runs, or team step goals. It’s an opportunity to build stronger connections, create a sense of shared achievement, and embed healthier habits into the working day.

Alongside this exciting new campaign, we are delighted to host our annual Corporate Golf Classic at Monkstown Golf Club, Cork, on Friday 11^th September. Set on one of Ireland’s most scenic parkland courses, the event promises a fantastic day of networking, friendly competition and purposeful engagement. It’s a valuable opportunity for corporate teams to come together, strengthen relationships and support lifesaving programmes.

Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to healthier workplaces and communities. By getting involved, organisations not only invest in employee wellbeing but also help fund vital work in heart health prevention, patient support and advocacy.

We encourage you to rally your colleagues, sign up your team, and make September a truly collective effort for heart health. For more details on either activity please contact corporate@irishheart.ie

September is Heart Month and there will be lots of activity across the organisation to mark the month. This year the theme for our Heart Month campaign is cardiovascular disease, focusing on awareness of the risks of heart disease and stroke, and prevention. The campaign will kick off in early September with advertising and PR across the month.

We’ll also be inviting landmark buildings across Ireland to light up red in support of World Heart Day on 29^th September. World Heart Day is an annual global event which raises awareness of cardiovascular disease and the importance of taking care of your heart.

Culture Night takes place on Friday 18^th September. The Irish Heart Foundation will be inviting people to visit our virtual photo exhibition. The virtual exhibition tells the story of the Irish Heart Foundation over 60 years, through photography.

The National Ploughing Championships will take place in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, from 15^th -17^th September, and we’ll be there again this year.  Our Mobile Health Unit will be there with our nurses offering free heart health checks and advice across the three days. This year we’ll also have an Irish Heart Foundation marquee where people can find out more about our work, our supports, CPR, real-life stories, our 60 years and get lots of information and tips on looking after their hearts. We’ll be in touch with more information over the summer months.

Family workshop: the beat of your heart

Saturday 11^th and 25^th July 11.30-12.15, Humanarium, RCSI, 118 St Stephen’s Green

Join us for a family-friendly workshop exploring what your heart gets up to. Find out where your heart really is, how big it is, how it pumps blood around the body, and why it starts thumping away when we run, jump or get excited. There’ll be plenty of movement, questions and “hang on, is that my heartbeat?” moments.

This workshop will be delivered by Simply Science facilitator, mathematician and GAA county footballer Cliodhna Ni Shé. It’s the perfect blend of exploring science, sport, and the incredible machine inside all of us! Suitable for children aged 7-12 and their grown-ups.

Free event. Booking essential:

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/family-workshop-the-beat-of-your-heart-tickets-1992654567452

Humanarium will be running more family workshops on Saturdays during July and August – sign up here to be first to find out!

Short Courses:

We have a number of courses commencing in the next few months. All courses are free and available to Irish Heart Foundation members. For more information, or to register for a course, please contact heartservices@irishheart.ie

Vocational Return to Work Programme – Online

4 weeks, 1.5-hour sessions. For stroke members only.

Start time and date: 11.30am, 24^th August 2026

The Vocational Back to Work Programme is a series of Zoom workshops delivered over six weeks for people who are considering a return to work after a stroke. The programme provides a supportive space for participants to come together, learn, and build confidence around work‑related challenges.

The course focuses on increasing awareness of what returning to work may involve, while supporting stroke survivors to develop the personal and professional skills needed for this transition. It is designed to help participants explore readiness for work, identify supports, and build practical strategies to move forward at their own pace.

Hero’s Journey – Online

8 weeks, 2-hour sessions. For Young Stroke Survivor Network members only.

Start time and date: 2.30am, 15^th September 2026

The Hero’s Journey course is an 8-week program designed specifically for young stroke survivors who want to regain confidence, build resilience, and take control of their personal growth. Inspired by the classic Hero’s Journey framework, this course provides a structured, supportive space to explore the emotional and cognitive challenges that come with life after a stroke.

Throughout the program, participants will:

• Recognise the call to change – Understanding the shifts in identity and lifestyle after a stroke.
• Step into the unknown – Exploring new perspectives, challenges, and possibilities.
• Face obstacles and struggles – Identifying personal barriers and learning strategies to overcome them.
• Develop new strengths – Building confidence, self-awareness, and emotional resilience.
• Return transformed – Gaining a sense of empowerment and moving forward with renewed purpose.

The course combines discussion, reflection, practical exercises, and peer support to help you navigate this journey. By the end, you’ll feel more prepared to embrace life beyond your comfort zone, equipped with strategies to handle challenges and a stronger sense of self.

Mindfulness and Self Compassion – Online

6 sessions, 1.5-hour sessions. For stroke and heart members.

Start date: 22^nd September 2026 [Time to be confirmed]

This course introduces mindful self‑compassion, which involves treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend. It combines mindfulness with self‑kindness and an awareness that life’s challenges and setbacks are part of the shared human experience.

Through guided learning and reflection, participants explore how being gentler with themselves, relating differently to difficult emotions, and recognising that mistakes and setbacks are normal can build strength and resilience. Research shows that practising self‑compassion is linked to improved emotional wellbeing, greater resilience, and reduced stress and anxiety.

Fatigue Management – Online

6 weeks, 1.5-hour sessions. For stroke members only.

Start time and date: 11am, 24^th September 2026

The Fatigue Management Programme is a series of Zoom workshops delivered over six weeks. It provides a supportive space for participants to come together and learn more about fatigue—what causes it, how it affects daily life, and why it is a common challenge after illness or health changes.

Through shared learning and practical discussion, participants are supported to understand their own experience of fatigue and identify strategies to manage it more effectively. The programme focuses on helping individuals develop personalised approaches so they can better balance energy, reduce the impact of fatigue, and improve overall quality of life.

Activate Your Life – In Person, Cavan Monaghan

4 Weeks, 2-hour sessions. For both heart and stroke members

Start time and date: 11am, 28^th September 2026

Venue: Teach Na Daoine Resource Centre, Oriel Way, Monaghan, H18 D218

The AYL course helps you to take greater control of your actions so daily life feels less distressing and more enjoyable. It focuses on practical, easy‑to‑use techniques to help manage difficult thoughts and emotions.

Developed by Dr Neil Frude, the course helps you clarify what truly matters to you and builds skills to live with greater confidence, purpose, and direction. It’s suitable for anyone looking to feel more in control and make positive, value-based changes in everyday life.