Smarmore Castle provides residential addiction treatment for patients from across Ireland and internationally. We treat alcohol addiction, drug addiction, behavioural addictions and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Patients can get in touch directly by phone or email, ask their GP to make a referral, or have a family member make an initial enquiry on their behalf.
The admissions process begins with a conversation with our admissions team, followed by an assessment of both your wants and needs. Where residential treatment is appropriate, admission can often be arranged within 24 to 48 hours.
If you’d like to talk through your options, you can get in touch with us directly.
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How to fund your rehab treatment at Smarmore Castle
Funding residential treatment is one of the most common concerns for people considering rehab. The options are broader than most people expect.
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Private pay
Many patients fund treatment privately. This is the most straightforward route, with no third-party approvals or referrals required.
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Health insurance
We accept cover from VHI, Bupa Global, Laya, and Irish Life Health. Before you call, check your level of cover with your insurer.
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HSE funding
Smarmore Castle is contracted by the HSE to provide funded treatment. Get in touch with your local HSE addiction service first to obtain a funding code, then call us.
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Employer schemes
Some employers have schemes in place to cover the cost of residential rehab. Speak to your HR department or occupational health team to find out what your employer offers.
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International insurers
We accept cover from a range of international insurers, including Tricare for US military personnel and a number of Dutch medical insurers. The admissions team can tell you whether your policy is accepted.
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Tax relief for self-funded patients in the Republic of Ireland
Self-funded patients from the Republic of Ireland may be able to claim tax relief on the cost of treatment. This can apply to your own health expenses or those of a family member.
Keith is Executive Director for Smarmore Castle and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the therapy team and operations.
Before joining Smarmore Castle, Keith worked as a private psychotherapist and has four years of solid experience as the manager of another Irish treatment centre. He also has two decades of hospitality experience plus 20 years of his own recovery, as well as a firm belief in the 12 Step model.
On top of this, he is a doctoral candidate in psychotherapy at Dublin University. On joining Smarmore Castle, he said:
“I’m very excited to be appointed the clinic manager of Smarmore Castle Private Clinic. I have always been impressed by the multidisciplinary approach offered at Smarmore Castle and look forward to working with the very professional and dedicated team, who work tirelessly to provide quality care to all patients.”
Keith’s Media Appearances
July 2026 – Keith reported on the hidden nature of gambling and how it can often mean a delay in getting treatment in Ireland. Continue reading.
June 2026 – Keith spoke to LMFM about the crucial subject of the difficulties of securing health insurance to help patients access treatment in Ireland. Continue listening.
May 2026 – Keith discusses ketamine addiction with Deirdre Barry of the Irish Independent. Continue reading.
March 2026 – Keith warns readers about the risks of excessive alcohol consumption around St Patrick’s Day – “[…] as clinicians we have a responsibility to share what the evidence tells us […]”. Continue reading.
November 2024 – Keith discusses the effects of workaholism with journalist Sharon Ní Chonchúir from the Irish Examiner. Continue reading.
June 2023 – Keith talks about the pervasive nature of cocaine and cocaine addiction across Ireland. Continue reading.
June 2023 – Keith talks about cocaine in Ireland. Continue reading.
April 2023 – Keith condemns the new lotto feature allowing players to pre-pay up to a year in advance. Continue reading.
June 2022 – Keith is featured in an article about Smarmore Castle’s international accreditation. Continue Reading.
June 2022 – Keith is pictured in an article about Smarmore Castle’s Accreditation. Continue reading.
Dr Orlagh McCambridge, MB BCh BAO, DMH, MSc, MRCPsych, is the Medical Director of Smarmore Castle Private Clinic. She is a Consultant Psychiatrist, specialising in addictions.
Dr McCambridge previously worked as a Clinical Director and Consultant Psychiatrist in addiction and mental health services in the NHS in Northern Ireland.
She completed her undergraduate medical degree, Postgraduate Diploma in Mental Health and Master’s in Clinical Education (Distinction) at Queen’s University Belfast. She completed her foundation, core, and higher psychiatry training programmes in Northern Ireland.
She is on the Irish Medical Council’s Specialist Register for Psychiatry and is on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register for General Psychiatry (Substance Misuse Psychiatry) with a licence to practise in the United Kingdom.
Dr Orlagh’s Media Appearances
May 2026 – Orlagh discusses the impact of ketamine addiction with Deirdre Barry of the Irish Independent. Continue reading.
Frances possesses a keen awareness of the repercussions of recovery, especially within familial contexts, and always considered securing a modest role within this sector. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Frances to explore opportunities beyond the realm of tourism, leading her to join Smarmore as the Admissions Officer in 2022.
Frances comes to Smarmore with a professional background in Tourism Management spanning over two decades, during which she led both national and international projects. Her efforts in this domain were acknowledged with several tourism innovation awards. Having returned to education as an adult, Frances pursued her studies through Open University, successfully attaining a Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
As a mother of four children, Frances draws parallels between the experience of motherhood and her responsibilities at Smarmore. She perceives both roles as equally privileged, challenging, and rewarding.
Frances spends her spare time camping throughout Germany in her campervan, called ‘Elvis’.
Ciara Kirk is originally from Dundalk Co Louth where she grew up and was educated at St Vincent’s Secondary School and Dundalk Regional College, now DKIT. For the past number of years, Ciara has lived in Knockbridge Co. Louth with her husband where they have raised their 3 children. Ciara joined the Smarmore Team in July 2017 as Admissions Assistant.
Ciara has over 12 years of experience in the field of addiction and recovery. In 2011 she did a training course in group facilitation and has worked with recovery groups on a voluntary basis for the last eight years.
She is passionate about recovery and has a great understanding of how the 2-Step programme can work. Ciara enjoys swimming, Pilates, travelling to Europe, eating out, and catching time with her 2 daughters, son, and husband.
“The people that you meet when you come through these doors – mainly the members of the community – the people that have gone through all sorts of things in life but are still here standing, the resilience that we see in here is incredible.”
– Tracy Houlihan, patient at Smarmore Castle
How rehab admissions work at Smarmore Castle – step by step
Entering rehab treatment at Smarmore Castle requires a few clear steps. Once you get in touch, our admissions team will walk you through them.
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First contact – call us, email, or ask your doctor to refer you
Self-referral is the most common route into treatment at Smarmore Castle, though a referral from your GP or another healthcare professional is also an option.
We accept admissions for adults seeking treatment for addiction, including those with co-occurring mental health conditions. You can find out more about the conditions we treat on our drug, alcohol, and behavioural addictions page.
You can contact us directly by phone or email, or request a callback from a member of our team.
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Your pre-admission assessment
Once you’ve been in touch, an admissions team member will arrange your pre-admission assessment. It’s just a phone call with our admissions team, not a clinical appointment, and it doesn’t commit you to anything.
The assessment covers your current situation and health, including any existing mental health conditions. The purpose is to understand your individual needs, find the right treatment programme for you, and to give you a chance to ask any questions you have.
The call can usually be arranged within 24 hours of your first contact with us. Our addiction assessment page explains the process in more detail.
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Medical records review
Depending on your situation, we may ask for a GP summary or recent blood test results before confirming your admission. We don’t always need these, but in some cases they can help us understand your needs.
If you don’t have them to hand, our team can help you arrange anything required. In cases where we do ask for records, it’s just to make sure your first days at Smarmore Castle are as medically safe as possible.
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Arranging your admission date
Once you’ve been cleared by our medical and management team, you’ll be offered an admission date. This can be as soon as 24 to 48 hours after your assessment.
Smarmore Castle is located off the M1 motorway, just over an hour’s drive from Dublin and Belfast airports. If you need help getting here, our admissions team can talk you through the options.
We can also arrange a sober transport service from anywhere in Ireland or from either airport for international arrivals. A full cost breakdown of this and everything included in treatment is on our how much rehab costs in Ireland page.
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Arriving at Smarmore Castle and beginning your stay
When you arrive, you’ll be met by our admissions team and nursing staff. There’s a brief check-in, and then your orientation begins.
You’ll receive a welcome pack with your programme timetable, guidelines, visiting times, and some written assessments. A senior therapist will go through all of this with you, explain what the coming days involve, and answer any questions.
You’ll then be introduced to the other patients who you’ll be sharing your time with during your stay. Smarmore Castle has a strong recovery community, with patients supporting each other through the process.
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What happens when you arrive at Smarmore Castle
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Your first 24 hours
On the first day, you’ll get a tour, go through the rules, and start to get your bearings.
This is usually a relatively calm day for you while the clinical team prepares your treatment plan. From day one, they look at tailoring support to your needs, and even what happens after you leave.
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Medical assessment and detox support
Detox is the first step for many substance dependencies, though there are some occasions where it may not be needed. Your medical assessment tells our team whether detox is necessary for you, the level of support needed, and what your treatment programme should look like.
A consultant psychiatrist leads the medical team as Medical Director, supported by 24-hour nursing cover on site. The staff-to-patient ratio is four or five members of staff to every patient at full capacity.
Our clinical team manages the drug and alcohol detox process throughout. They adjust medication as needed to keep withdrawal as safe and comfortable as possible.
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Meeting the team and settling in
In the days that follow your arrival, you’ll meet the therapist you’ll be working with and be connected with a peer mentor from within the recovery community.
Your peer mentor has been through the same process themselves and knows what the early days are like.
Your therapist will begin working with you one-to-one from the start. More about the treatment programme is available on our how we work page.
What to bring with you to residential addiction rehab
Once your admission is confirmed, we’ll send you a full packing list. In general, we recommend:
- Personal items that support your recovery (journal, photos, etc.)
- Comfortable clothing for 2–3 weeks
- Toiletries to last the duration of your stay
- Prescription medications (if any)
- Medical records or relevant documents
If someone you know is ready for help with addiction
Sometimes the person making first contact is a family member or close friend. Our admissions team manages this situation regularly, so they know how to navigate what can feel like a daunting process.
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How to make a referral on someone’s behalf
You can call our admissions team and explain the situation. You just need to describe what you’ve been seeing and what your concerns are. You don’t need the person’s consent to make an enquiry.
Having a rough sense of the situation will help, including how long things have been difficult and whether the person has had any previous treatment. The admissions team will talk you through what happens next and advise on how to approach a conversation with the person.
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What to expect if you’re supporting someone through the process
The admissions team will keep you informed as the process moves forward. Once the person begins treatment, our team will let you know what to expect and how to stay involved.
Family therapy is part of the treatment programme at Smarmore Castle, usually beginning after the first two weeks. We also run online workshops for close family members, covered within the cost of treatment.
During the first weeks, outside contact is limited while the patient settles in. It’s a clinical decision that gives patients time to focus on their treatment without distraction. Contact then becomes more frequent as treatment progresses. You can find out more about the programme on our addiction treatment page.
What Our Patients Say
Frequently asked questions about rehab admissions
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Can I visit Smarmore Castle before being admitted?
We don’t offer pre-admission visits. This protects the privacy and the therapeutic environment of the patients currently in treatment.
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Does Smarmore Castle have exclusion criteria for admission?
There are some conditions we’re unable to treat, including severe eating disorders and psychosis. We’re also unable to admit some individuals with a history of violent crime. A screening call will give you a clearer picture of whether we’re the right fit.
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What are your admissions office opening hours?
Our admissions line is open 9am to 5pm on weekdays. Smarmore Castle itself is open 365 days a year.
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Can I claim tax relief on rehab costs in Ireland?
Self-funded patients from the Republic of Ireland may be able to claim tax relief on the cost of treatment. This can apply to your own health expenses or those of a family member, as long as you paid for them. Speak to our admissions team for more information.
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Do you offer women-only treatment options?
We offer women-only group therapy sessions and aqua therapy. If you have specific requirements around this, please mention them when you get in touch.
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What if I need to travel from outside Ireland – can you help with transport?
Yes. We run a dedicated transport service for patients who need help getting here. It covers anywhere in Ireland and includes pick-ups from Dublin and Belfast airports for anyone arriving from abroad. There’s an additional charge. The admissions team can arrange everything when you confirm your date.