Almost all of Ireland's sexual health infrastructure is concentrated in Dublin. The GMHS and GUIDE Clinic are Dublin-only. If you live in Cork, Galway, Limerick, or a rural area, the system looks different — but it is not absent.

The most important thing to know upfront: SH:24 is nationwide. The postal testing service (sh24.ie) covers the entire country and is the most accessible route for routine testing regardless of where you live. This evens the playing field significantly for testing; it's PrEP prescribing and specialist care where regional variation matters most.

Cork

Cork Sexual Health Centre

Cork's primary sexual health service, offering testing, STI treatment, PrEP, and sexual health consultations.

Location: Typically based at South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) or via the Cork University Hospital sexual health services — check the HSE sexual health service finder for the current address and booking route.

PrEP in Cork: Cork Sexual Health Centre can prescribe PrEP through the HSE scheme. Access has generally been more manageable than Dublin (smaller demand against a dedicated service), though wait times exist.

For specialist HIV care: Cork University Hospital (CUH) is the regional reference for infectious diseases and HIV.

PEP in Cork

Go to the A&E at Cork University Hospital (CUH). As with all A&E departments in Ireland, you may face the €100 A&E fee without a GP referral; Medical Card holders are exempt. Tell triage: "I've had a high-risk sexual exposure to HIV and I need PEP." This is time-critical — do not wait for a GP appointment.

Galway

Galway Sexual Health Service

The HSE operates a sexual health service in Galway. Testing, STI treatment, and PrEP prescribing are available, typically by appointment.

For specialist HIV care: University Hospital Galway (UHG) is the regional reference for infectious diseases. For PEP, go to UHG A&E.

Reality check for Galway: The service has historically had capacity constraints. SH:24 postal testing is particularly valuable here for routine quarterly checks — save the clinic appointment for treatment or PrEP initiation.

Limerick

University Hospital Limerick (UHL): For PEP, this is the A&E to use. For sexual health and STI services, the Midwest sexual health services run through the HSE Mid-West community healthcare.

PrEP in Limerick: Access is more limited than in Cork or Galway. Some GPs in Limerick will prescribe PrEP under the HSE scheme. HIV Ireland (hiv.ie) can provide guidance on the fastest prescribing route in the Midwest region.

Other Cities and Rural Areas

General principle for all regions:

  1. Testing: Use SH:24 (sh24.ie) for all routine quarterly testing. It covers every county. Results come back by text in a few days.
  2. PrEP: Start with your regular GP. Many GPs across Ireland now prescribe PrEP under the HSE scheme — your DPS card makes the medication free regardless of where the prescription comes from. If your GP won't prescribe, PrEP Direct Ireland (Doctor365) offers online consultations nationally.
  3. STI treatment: Your GP can treat most bacterial STIs. For anything complex or requiring specialist input, ask your GP for a referral to the nearest regional sexual health service.
  4. PEP: Go to the nearest large hospital A&E. Every major hospital has access to HIV medications for emergency post-exposure use. Don't go to an urgent care clinic or a GP — they will not have the medication.

HIV Ireland's support line (01 873 3799) is particularly useful for navigating access outside Dublin — they know the current state of regional services and can point you toward the fastest route.

A Note on Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, not the Republic, and runs on the NHS rather than the HSE. However, for practical purposes many people in border counties use services on both sides, and some Dublin-based organisations (particularly BeLonG To for LGBTQ+ youth) operate on an all-island basis.

Sexual health in NI: GUM clinics are the equivalent of Irish sexual health services. The main clinic in Belfast is at the Royal Victoria Hospital.

PrEP in NI: Available free on the NHS in Northern Ireland, consistent with the rest of the UK. Prescribing goes through GUM clinics.

For the full UK picture: See UK: The GUM Clinic & The Firewall.

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