The Mater University Hospital in Dublin is marking the 40th anniversary of the first heart transplant, which took place at the hospital on this day in 1985.
Since then, 447 life saving heart transplants have been performed at the hospital.
On 10 September 1985, surgeons Maurice Neligan and Professor Freddie Wood were part of the team that performed the first transplant.
At the time, heart transplantation was in its infancy and available only in a number of major global centres.
Andy Kavanagh from Coolock in Dublin 17 was one the first patients to undergo the surgery in 1986 and he is the oldest surviving heart transplant patient here, and one of the longest surviving in the world.
Andy Kavanagh from Coolock was one the first patients to underwent heart transplant surgery in 1986
He underwent the transplant at the age of 19 after he became seriously ill.
At the time it seemed like the flu but he had cardiomyopathy, which attacked his heart muscles.
Mr Kavanagh said that he was very sick before his transplant and he was taking a chance on something that was new in Ireland.
He has since dealt with cancer and a kidney transplant.
Mr Kavanagh said that four decades later, he is working full-time, going to the gym daily and lives a full and active life.
He is married and the father of one child and grandfather of three.
His heart donor was David Russell, who died after being hit by a drunk driver in 1986, when they were the same age.
Mr Kavanagh remains in touch with the Russell family.