Private

Drakelands House Nursing Home

Drakelands, Kilkenny, R95 YR02

Call 056 777 0925

Fair Deal weekly price

€1,281

HSE list #230, 4 September 2026

Registered beds

HIQA maximum occupancy

Registered until

30 November 2027

Current registration since 1 December 2024

Inspection score

89/ 100

Strong inspection record

Improving

Ranked 8 of 17 scored homes in Co. Kilkenny · 7 of 18 within 25 km

Leadership and management94

Quality and safety of care85

What went into the score

29 June 2026 · counts 50%9 of 11 compliant · 94
25 June 2025 · counts 30%10 of 12 compliant · 94
9 January 2025 · counts 20%1 not compliant · 2 of 5 compliant · 68

Fair Deal price is about the same as the Co. Kilkenny median of €1,277 a week.

How we calculate this score

Every regulation HIQA judged on an inspection earns points: Compliant 100, Substantially compliant 65, Not compliant 25.
Where the compliance plan rates the risk of a failing regulation, orange (moderate risk) takes off 15 more points and red (high risk) takes off 40. Yellow (low risk) takes off nothing.
An inspection's score is the average over the regulations it looked at.
A home's score combines its last 3 inspections: the newest counts for 50%, the one before for 30% and the one before that for 20%. With fewer inspections the weights are scaled up to 100%.
The trend compares the newest inspection's score with the average of the earlier ones: 5 points or more higher is improving, 5 or more lower is declining, anything else is stable.
Homes are ranked by score within their county and among scored homes within 25 km. Homes with the same score share a rank.

Method v1. It uses only HIQA's published judgments, not our opinion, and is recalculated whenever a new report is published.

What the latest inspection found

Drakelands House Nursing Home in Kilkenny provides care for up to 70 residents, with 61 present during the inspection. Residents and visitors generally praised the kindness and respectfulness of staff, the quality of food, and the activities offered, especially live music sessions. The home is clean, well-maintained, and offers mostly single rooms, some with en-suite facilities. Staffing levels are appropriate, and management is committed to continuous improvement. However, some improvements are needed in meeting specific dietary requirements and infection control practices.

Long-term care
Respite
Convalescence
Dementia care
Palliative care
Younger adults

What inspectors liked

Staff are consistently kind, respectful, and know residents well.
Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including live music sessions twice weekly.
The home is clean, bright, and well-maintained with safe outdoor spaces.
Food quality is excellent with choices available and staff provide person-centred meal service.
Management has clear governance and regularly monitors quality and safety.

What needed to improve

Some residents experience delays when pressing call-bells for assistance.
Specific dietary needs prescribed by dietitians are not always met, such as high-protein or fortified diets.
Infection control practices need improvement, including inadequate sluice room and limited clinical hand wash sinks.
A recent serious incident notification was submitted late.
Some care plans are overly complex, making it hard to identify current care plans.

What residents said

“every one of them is lovely”
“nothing is too much to ask”
“they are very respectful”
“I know in my heart they are safe here”

Staffing: Staffing levels are appropriate for the number and needs of residents, with sufficient clinical and support staff on duty day and night. Staff receive good training and supervision, including mandatory fire safety and moving and handling training.
Activities: A wide range of activities is available, with residents enjoying live music sessions at least twice weekly, outings to local attractions, and social engagement in communal areas.
Food: Food is of excellent quality with choices offered daily. Staff provide person-centred service, accommodating special requests. However, some prescribed dietary needs like high-protein or fortified diets are not consistently provided.

Summarised by AI from the HIQA report of 29 June 2026. Check the report for the full picture.Source report (PDF)

Inspection history

HIQA judges each regulation as Compliant Substantially compliant Not compliantRisk: Low Moderate High

29 June 2026
Unannounced inspection · published Sept 2026
9 compliant2 mostly
ShowHide
Leadership and management
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
RecordsCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Notification of incidentsCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planCompliant
Health careCompliant
VisitsCompliant
Food and nutritionLow risk · fix by 31 July 2026Mostly
Infection controlLow risk · fix by 31 August 2026Mostly
Fire precautionsCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
25 June 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Aug 2025
10 compliant2 mostly
ShowHide
Leadership and management
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Notification of incidentsCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planLow risk · fix by 30 June 2025Mostly
Health careCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
VisitsCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsCompliant
Risk managementCompliant
Infection controlLow risk · fix by 28 February 2026Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
9 January 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Apr 2025
2 compliant2 mostly1 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Statement of purposeCompliant
StaffingCompliant
RecordsLow risk · fix by 30 June 2025Mostly
Governance and managementModerate risk · fix by 21 February 2025Not compliant
Quality and safety of care
PremisesLow risk · fix by 30 July 2025Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
26 July 2024
Unannounced inspection · published Jan 2025
11 compliant4 mostly1 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Written policies and proceduresCompliant
StaffingCompliant
Directory of residentsCompliant
RecordsLow risk · fix by 30 September 2024Mostly
InsuranceCompliant
Governance and managementLow risk · fix by 31 October 2024Mostly
Contract for the provision of servicesCompliant
Application for registration or renewal of registrationCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Managing behaviour that is challengingCompliant
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
Communication difficultiesCompliant
End of lifeCompliant
PremisesLow risk · fix by 31 October 2024Mostly
Infection controlModerate risk · fix by 30 September 2024Not compliant
Fire precautionsLow risk · fix by 31 December 2024Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
17 August 2023
Unannounced restrictive practice thematic inspection · published Oct 2023
1 mostly
ShowHide
A focused inspection of restrictive practices, such as bedrails, locked doors and sensor alarms, judged against HIQA's National Standards rather than the regulations. It isn't counted in the score.
Thematic inspection
Restrictive practices (overall judgment against the National Standards)Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)

Fair Deal price

This is the most the home can charge a week for residents on the Fair Deal scheme. Under Fair Deal you pay up to 80% of your income and 7.5% of the value of your assets a year, and the State pays the rest. Homes may charge extra for things like activities, hairdressing or newspapers, so ask about these when you call.

List	Published	Weekly price
HSE Section 40 #230	4 September 2026	€1,281

Registration conditions

Read the conditions HIQA attached to this registration

Condition 1: Subject to any prohibitions or restrictions contained in any other condition(s), the designated centre shall be operated at all times in accordance with the Statement of Purpose within the footprint of the designated centre on the floor plan received on 12 December 2024 (excluding the description of Room 40). The registered provider shall only provide for the specific care and support needs, and services, within the facilities as set out the Statement of Purpose, as agreed with the Chief Inspector at the time of registration. Any changes to the specific care and support needs and services provided must be agreed in advance with the Chief Inspector. Condition 2: Only persons aged 18 years or older shall be accommodated at the designated centre at any time. Condition 3: The maximum number of persons that may be accommodated at the designated centre is: 70

Other homes nearby

Worth phoning too if this home has no bed available.

Tinnypark Nursing Home
Private
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 2.5 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,269 / week
Inspection score
73
Beds
47 beds
Phone
056 777 1550
Kilkenny Care Centre
Private
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 3.3 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,245 / week
Inspection score
78
Beds
90 beds
Phone
056 780 0004
The Residence Kilkenny
Private
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 3.5 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,275 / week
Inspection score
94
Beds
80 beds
Phone
056 771 9740
Archersrath Nursing Home
Private
Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 5.5 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,280 / week
Inspection score
79
Beds
61 beds
Phone
056 779 0137
Prague House Care Company Limited By Guarantee
Voluntary
Freshford, Co. Kilkenny· 12 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
Price not published
Inspection score
92
Beds
15 beds
Phone
056 883 2281
Mount Carmel Supported Care Home
Voluntary
Callan, Co. Kilkenny· 14 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
Price not published
Inspection score
76
Beds
20 beds
Phone
056 772 5301

Inspection score

89/ 100

Strong inspection record

Improving

Ranked 8 of 17 scored homes in Co. Kilkenny · 7 of 18 within 25 km

Leadership and management94

Quality and safety of care85

What went into the score

29 June 2026 · counts 50%9 of 11 compliant · 94
25 June 2025 · counts 30%10 of 12 compliant · 94
9 January 2025 · counts 20%1 not compliant · 2 of 5 compliant · 68

Fair Deal price is about the same as the Co. Kilkenny median of €1,277 a week.

How we calculate this score

Every regulation HIQA judged on an inspection earns points: Compliant 100, Substantially compliant 65, Not compliant 25.
Where the compliance plan rates the risk of a failing regulation, orange (moderate risk) takes off 15 more points and red (high risk) takes off 40. Yellow (low risk) takes off nothing.
An inspection's score is the average over the regulations it looked at.
A home's score combines its last 3 inspections: the newest counts for 50%, the one before for 30% and the one before that for 20%. With fewer inspections the weights are scaled up to 100%.
The trend compares the newest inspection's score with the average of the earlier ones: 5 points or more higher is improving, 5 or more lower is declining, anything else is stable.
Homes are ranked by score within their county and among scored homes within 25 km. Homes with the same score share a rank.

Method v1. It uses only HIQA's published judgments, not our opinion, and is recalculated whenever a new report is published.

What the latest inspection found

Long-term care
Respite
Convalescence
Dementia care
Palliative care
Younger adults

What inspectors liked

Staff are consistently kind, respectful, and know residents well.
Residents enjoy a variety of activities, including live music sessions twice weekly.
The home is clean, bright, and well-maintained with safe outdoor spaces.
Food quality is excellent with choices available and staff provide person-centred meal service.
Management has clear governance and regularly monitors quality and safety.

What needed to improve

Some residents experience delays when pressing call-bells for assistance.
Specific dietary needs prescribed by dietitians are not always met, such as high-protein or fortified diets.
Infection control practices need improvement, including inadequate sluice room and limited clinical hand wash sinks.
A recent serious incident notification was submitted late.
Some care plans are overly complex, making it hard to identify current care plans.

What residents said

“every one of them is lovely”
“nothing is too much to ask”
“they are very respectful”
“I know in my heart they are safe here”

Staffing: Staffing levels are appropriate for the number and needs of residents, with sufficient clinical and support staff on duty day and night. Staff receive good training and supervision, including mandatory fire safety and moving and handling training.
Activities: A wide range of activities is available, with residents enjoying live music sessions at least twice weekly, outings to local attractions, and social engagement in communal areas.
Food: Food is of excellent quality with choices offered daily. Staff provide person-centred service, accommodating special requests. However, some prescribed dietary needs like high-protein or fortified diets are not consistently provided.

Summarised by AI from the HIQA report of 29 June 2026. Check the report for the full picture.Source report (PDF)

Inspection history

HIQA judges each regulation as Compliant Substantially compliant Not compliantRisk: Low Moderate High

29 June 2026
Unannounced inspection · published Sept 2026
9 compliant2 mostly
ShowHide
Leadership and management
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
RecordsCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Notification of incidentsCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planCompliant
Health careCompliant
VisitsCompliant
Food and nutritionLow risk · fix by 31 July 2026Mostly
Infection controlLow risk · fix by 31 August 2026Mostly
Fire precautionsCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
25 June 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Aug 2025
10 compliant2 mostly
ShowHide
Leadership and management
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Notification of incidentsCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planLow risk · fix by 30 June 2025Mostly
Health careCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
VisitsCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsCompliant
Risk managementCompliant
Infection controlLow risk · fix by 28 February 2026Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
9 January 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Apr 2025
2 compliant2 mostly1 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Statement of purposeCompliant
StaffingCompliant
RecordsLow risk · fix by 30 June 2025Mostly
Governance and managementModerate risk · fix by 21 February 2025Not compliant
Quality and safety of care
PremisesLow risk · fix by 30 July 2025Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
26 July 2024
Unannounced inspection · published Jan 2025
11 compliant4 mostly1 not compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Written policies and proceduresCompliant
StaffingCompliant
Directory of residentsCompliant
RecordsLow risk · fix by 30 September 2024Mostly
InsuranceCompliant
Governance and managementLow risk · fix by 31 October 2024Mostly
Contract for the provision of servicesCompliant
Application for registration or renewal of registrationCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Managing behaviour that is challengingCompliant
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
Communication difficultiesCompliant
End of lifeCompliant
PremisesLow risk · fix by 31 October 2024Mostly
Infection controlModerate risk · fix by 30 September 2024Not compliant
Fire precautionsLow risk · fix by 31 December 2024Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
17 August 2023
Unannounced restrictive practice thematic inspection · published Oct 2023
1 mostly
ShowHide
A focused inspection of restrictive practices, such as bedrails, locked doors and sensor alarms, judged against HIQA's National Standards rather than the regulations. It isn't counted in the score.
Thematic inspection
Restrictive practices (overall judgment against the National Standards)Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)

Fair Deal price

List	Published	Weekly price
HSE Section 40 #230	4 September 2026	€1,281

Registration conditions

Read the conditions HIQA attached to this registration

Other homes nearby

Worth phoning too if this home has no bed available.

Tinnypark Nursing Home

Private

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 2.5 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,269 / week
Inspection score: 73
Beds: 47 beds
Phone: 056 777 1550

Kilkenny Care Centre

Private

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 3.3 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,245 / week
Inspection score: 78
Beds: 90 beds
Phone: 056 780 0004

The Residence Kilkenny

Private

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 3.5 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,275 / week
Inspection score: 94
Beds: 80 beds
Phone: 056 771 9740

Archersrath Nursing Home

Private

Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny· 5.5 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,280 / week
Inspection score: 79
Beds: 61 beds
Phone: 056 779 0137

Prague House Care Company Limited By Guarantee

Voluntary

Freshford, Co. Kilkenny· 12 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: Price not published
Inspection score: 92
Beds: 15 beds
Phone: 056 883 2281

Mount Carmel Supported Care Home

Voluntary

Callan, Co. Kilkenny· 14 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: Price not published
Inspection score: 76
Beds: 20 beds
Phone: 056 772 5301

Inspection score

What went into the score

What the latest inspection found

What inspectors liked

What needed to improve

What residents said

Inspection history

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Thematic inspection

Fair Deal price

Registration conditions

Other homes nearby

Inspection score

What went into the score

What the latest inspection found

What inspectors liked

What needed to improve

What residents said

Inspection history

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Leadership and management

Quality and safety of care

Thematic inspection

Fair Deal price

Registration conditions

Other homes nearby