Our newsletter "Heartstrings" is published quarterly and is posted free to all members. Copies of the magazine are also left in Our Lady's Hospital Crumlin at the Out Patients Department, Private Clinic, St Teresas Ward and St Brigid's Ward. Some back issues are still available from our office.
The first issue of Heartstrings was published in 1992. It was a great step forward for Heart Children to publish a magazine as it gave members a forum to express their opinions or tell their stories. The magazine was very successful due in no small way to the hard work of Larry Kennedy who was Editor for the first few years. These first issues of Heartstrings were in black and white and contained letters page, notice board and personnel stories. When Larry resigned his position the magazine was neglected for some time. When Niall Haughey took over as chairman he endeavoured to get it started again and it was produced as a smaller photocopied newsletter for some time. In the year 2000, the 10th anniversary of Heart Children, Dublin Branch chairperson, Kay Hickey and Catriona Duffy, produced a special full colour issue, this proved to be very successful.
We have come to realise that because Heart Children is a nationwide organisation, with members scattered all around the country, our magazine is the only point of contact for many of them. Because of this we decided to continue with the colour version in order to make it as interesting and as informative as possible. We feel that Heartstrings is an essential part of the support that we provide, we always welcome stories and comments because the magazine belongs to the members and their input is what makes it special.
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