About the Hospital
St. Luke's General Hospital in Kilkenny is the acute general hospital serving County Carlow and County Kilkenny, and it also provides services to bordering counties Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Laois. St. Luke’s General Hospital, Carlow /Kilkenny (SLGHCK) is a Model 3 Teaching hospital with Academic links to University College Dublin (UCD), University of Limerick (UL), the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and the South East Technological University (SETU).
SLGHK provides a wide range of acute surgical, medical, paediatric, maternity, gynaecology, anaesthetic, dental, psychiatric care & diagnostic services including Emergency Department, Oncology Department, Acute Medical Assessment Unit and Paediatric Assessment Unit.
The hospital has approximately 344 beds and features diagnostic and therapy services like radiology (including CT), pathology, physiotherapy, and more. In addition to the acute services that are provided on site at St. Luke’s, outreach services are also provided to Kilcreene Orthopaedic Hospital (SE), Carlow and Thomastown, District /Long Stay/Rehabilitation Care Units and Castlecomer District Hospital.
SLGHK features administrative facilities, a main concourse with a cafe, a library, education and training unit.
Clinical Services in St. Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny
- Emergency Medicine
- Acute Medicine, Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC)
- Paediatrics
- Anaesthetics & Intensive Care Medicine
- Medicine: General Internal Medicine/AMAU
- Respiratory
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
- Hepatology
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Older Person including Stroke Care
- General and Gastro-Intestinal Surgery
- Radiology
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology (including maternity unit)
- Microbiolgy
- Oncology
- Neurology
- Pallaitve Care
- Psychiatry
- Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine
- Diagnostic: Radiology (including 128-slice CT and MRI), pathology, cardiac diagnostics, and endoscopy, Bronchoscopy, OGD, Colonoscopy, ERCP, TOE.
- Therapy: Physiotherapy, speech and language, dietetics, and occupational therapy.
Recent Developments in St. Luke's General Hospital Kilkenny
2025
Refurbished Medical 3 Ward - Three other wards will be refurbished in 2026.
2022
The Ormond Wing - This four-storey modular ward block provides 72 new beds across three floors.
MRI Unit Expansion - A new MRI unit and a separate plant room extension.
Ongoing Expansion and Planning - Early-stage planning is underway for hospital expansion, including new wards and additional beds.
Ambulance and Access Works - A new ambulance set-down area and a new access road were constructed as part of the project to improve hospital access.
CT Suite Extension - A new CT suite extension was completed to ensure continuity of service during upgrades and building work. A second CT Scanner is planned for completion in 2026 Q3.
About Kilkenny
Kilkenny is located in the South-East Region and in the province of Leinster. The population of County Kilkenny was 104,160 (2022 Census) of which 33299 were under the age of 25 years, and 7409 were over 75 years. The average age was 39.7 years. Further information on the county.
The urban centre of Kilkenny as defined by Census, had a population of 27,184 in 2022. A thriving industrial hub, it has plenty of shops, restaurants and lively pubs, and offers lots to do for those living locally. There is a selection of other small villages and towns near Kilkenny, in which consultants may choose to live. There are a number of primary and secondary schools in the town and surrounding areas. Social and cultural activities available within the town centre include a museum, arts centre, theatre, Golf, swimming pool, library, cinema and numerous sports clubs.
Kilkenny's medieval town with creative culture, and supportive business community make it the perfect location, its environs include historic buildings such as Kilkenny Castle, St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower. Kilkenny offers a variety of outdoor activities, recreations, and sports. There are also numerous parks, gardens, and scenic routes, to explore on walking tours.
https://www.discoverireland.ie/kilkenny
Living in Kilkenny
Moving to start a new consultant post is not just a move for the doctor, but also for their family. Working in St. Luke’s General Hospital Kilkenny allows the consultant and family to live either in Kilkenny or in nearby towns and villages. A wide variety of housing is available, both period residences and newer builds, within the towns and in the countryside.
For spouses and partners, local employment opportunities may be relevant. Kilkenny's economy is diverse and growing, with key sectors including technology, manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism. The region is home to numerous multinational companies and innovative start-ups, providing a wide range of employment opportunities.
Living in Carlow
Carlow is a town and county in the South-East of Ireland with a blend of small-town life and growing economic activity. Accommodation is generally more affordable compared to Dublin. Driving distance between Carlow to Kilkenny is 39 km. It takes approximately 28 minutes to drive from Carlow to Kilkenny. Carlow is located along the main Dublin to Waterford motorway, the M9 bypasses Carlow town to the south.
Many residents describe Carlow as safe and welcoming. Good mix of outdoor spaces, local events and community atmosphere. There are various clubs and activities (sports, golf, arts, cinema, parks, running groups) that help with meeting people and staying active.