Private

Sonas Nursing Home Ashborough

Lyre Road, Milltown, V93 HH92

Call 066 976 5100

Fair Deal weekly price

€1,262

HSE list #230, 4 September 2026

Registered beds

HIQA maximum occupancy

Registered until

23 August 2029

Current registration since 24 August 2026

Inspection score

98/ 100

Strong inspection record

Steady

Ranked 1 of 21 scored homes in Co. Kerry · 1 of 4 within 25 km

Leadership and management100

Quality and safety of care97

What went into the score

26 March 2026 · counts 50%15 of 16 compliant · 98
27 August 2025 · counts 30%11 of 12 compliant · 97
14 August 2024 · counts 20%22 of 22 compliant · 100

Fair Deal price is about the same as the Co. Kerry median of €1,275 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

Sonas Nursing Home Ashborough is a well-managed, purpose-built care home in County Kerry that provides a very good standard of person-centred care. Residents live in spacious single rooms with en-suite facilities and have access to a range of health services including physiotherapy. The home offers a variety of activities every day and residents and visitors spoke highly of the caring and helpful staff. The environment is clean, bright, and comfortable with secure gardens and communal areas.

Long-term care
Respite
Convalescence
Dementia care

What inspectors liked

Spacious single bedrooms all with en-suite facilities and kitchenettes.
Dedicated dementia unit with secure access and exit.
Wide range of health services including physiotherapy three days a week.
Activities scheduled seven days a week with staff engaging residents individually and in groups.
Strong management and quality assurance systems with regular audits and resident involvement.

What needed to improve

Fire drills including night-time evacuation simulations were not conducted monthly as per policy, which is important for safety assurance.
One resident expressed concern about staff turnover.

What residents said

“this is a wonderful place to live”
“I couldn't speak highly enough of them”
“excellent”
“very helpful”
“they will do anything for you”
“something always on”

Staffing: There was a sufficient number and skill-mix of staff on the day of inspection, including a minimum of two registered nurses on duty at all times. Staff were up-to-date with mandatory training and responded promptly to residents' needs.
Activities: Activities are provided seven days a week, including one-to-one sessions and group games like target and ball games. Residents also enjoy community events and have a newly established residents' committee.
Food: Meals are well-presented and appetising with daily menus displayed. Residents are offered a choice at each course and assistance is provided discreetly and unhurriedly. Fridges and a refreshments trolley provide drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Dementia: Has a dedicated dementia unit. Heather unit caters for residents with dementia, with secure access controlled by a keypad and a system allowing residents who understand the code to move freely.

Summarised by AI from the HIQA report of 26 March 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

26 March 2026
Unannounced inspection · published Jun 2026
15 compliant1 mostly
ShowHide
Leadership and management
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
Directory of residentsCompliant
RecordsCompliant
InsuranceCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Complaints procedureCompliant
Application for registration or renewal of registrationCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planCompliant
Health careCompliant
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Food and nutritionCompliant
Fire precautionsLow risk · fix by 5 May 2026Mostly
Medicines and pharmaceutical servicesCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
27 August 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Nov 2025
11 compliant1 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 planCompliant
Health careCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
VisitsCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsCompliant
Risk managementCompliant
Infection controlLow risk · fix by 30 June 2025Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
14 August 2024
Announced inspection · published Nov 2024
22 compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Statement of purposeCompliant
Written policies and proceduresCompliant
Persons in chargeCompliant
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
RecordsCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Contract for the provision of servicesCompliant
VolunteersCompliant
Complaints procedureCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planCompliant
Health careCompliant
Managing behaviour that is challengingCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
Communication difficultiesCompliant
Personal possessionsCompliant
End of lifeCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Food and nutritionCompliant
Information for residentsCompliant
Risk managementCompliant
Infection controlCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
14 November 2023
Unannounced restrictive practice thematic inspection · published Feb 2024
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	€1,262

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 23/02/2026. 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: 58.

Other homes nearby

Worth phoning too if this home has no bed available.

St Joseph's Home
Private
Killorglin, Co. Kerry· 5.1 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,310 / week
Inspection score
72
Beds
48 beds
Phone
066 976 1124
Whitethorn Lodge Care Home Tralee
Private
Tralee, Co. Kerry· 12 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,200 / week
Inspection score
84
Beds
68 beds
Phone
066 711 9090
Tralee Community Nursing Unit
Public (HSE)
Tralee, Co. Kerry· 14 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,545 / week
Inspection score
77
Beds
46 beds
Phone
066 719 9250
Saint Louis Nursing Home
Private
Tralee, Co. Kerry· 14 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,275 / week
Inspection score
66
Beds
25 beds
Phone
066 712 1891
Ocean View Care Home
Private
Tralee, Co. Kerry· 15 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
Price not published
Inspection score
73
Beds
34 beds
Phone
066 713 0267
Our Lady of Fatima Home
Voluntary
Tralee, Co. Kerry· 15 km away
Fair Deal weekly price
€1,252 / week
Inspection score
82
Beds
68 beds
Phone
066 712 5900

Inspection score

98/ 100

Strong inspection record

Steady

Ranked 1 of 21 scored homes in Co. Kerry · 1 of 4 within 25 km

Leadership and management100

Quality and safety of care97

What went into the score

26 March 2026 · counts 50%15 of 16 compliant · 98
27 August 2025 · counts 30%11 of 12 compliant · 97
14 August 2024 · counts 20%22 of 22 compliant · 100

Fair Deal price is about the same as the Co. Kerry median of €1,275 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

What inspectors liked

Spacious single bedrooms all with en-suite facilities and kitchenettes.
Dedicated dementia unit with secure access and exit.
Wide range of health services including physiotherapy three days a week.
Activities scheduled seven days a week with staff engaging residents individually and in groups.
Strong management and quality assurance systems with regular audits and resident involvement.

What needed to improve

Fire drills including night-time evacuation simulations were not conducted monthly as per policy, which is important for safety assurance.
One resident expressed concern about staff turnover.

What residents said

“this is a wonderful place to live”
“I couldn't speak highly enough of them”
“excellent”
“very helpful”
“they will do anything for you”
“something always on”

Staffing: There was a sufficient number and skill-mix of staff on the day of inspection, including a minimum of two registered nurses on duty at all times. Staff were up-to-date with mandatory training and responded promptly to residents' needs.
Activities: Activities are provided seven days a week, including one-to-one sessions and group games like target and ball games. Residents also enjoy community events and have a newly established residents' committee.
Food: Meals are well-presented and appetising with daily menus displayed. Residents are offered a choice at each course and assistance is provided discreetly and unhurriedly. Fridges and a refreshments trolley provide drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Dementia: Has a dedicated dementia unit. Heather unit caters for residents with dementia, with secure access controlled by a keypad and a system allowing residents who understand the code to move freely.

Summarised by AI from the HIQA report of 26 March 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

26 March 2026
Unannounced inspection · published Jun 2026
15 compliant1 mostly
ShowHide
Leadership and management
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
Directory of residentsCompliant
RecordsCompliant
InsuranceCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Complaints procedureCompliant
Application for registration or renewal of registrationCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planCompliant
Health careCompliant
ProtectionCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Food and nutritionCompliant
Fire precautionsLow risk · fix by 5 May 2026Mostly
Medicines and pharmaceutical servicesCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
27 August 2025
Unannounced inspection · published Nov 2025
11 compliant1 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 planCompliant
Health careCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
VisitsCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Temporary absence or discharge of residentsCompliant
Risk managementCompliant
Infection controlLow risk · fix by 30 June 2025Mostly
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
14 August 2024
Announced inspection · published Nov 2024
22 compliant
ShowHide
Leadership and management
Statement of purposeCompliant
Written policies and proceduresCompliant
Persons in chargeCompliant
StaffingCompliant
Training and staff developmentCompliant
RecordsCompliant
Governance and managementCompliant
Contract for the provision of servicesCompliant
VolunteersCompliant
Complaints procedureCompliant
Quality and safety of care
Individual assessment and care planCompliant
Health careCompliant
Managing behaviour that is challengingCompliant
Residents' rightsCompliant
Communication difficultiesCompliant
Personal possessionsCompliant
End of lifeCompliant
PremisesCompliant
Food and nutritionCompliant
Information for residentsCompliant
Risk managementCompliant
Infection controlCompliant
Read the full HIQA report (PDF)
14 November 2023
Unannounced restrictive practice thematic inspection · published Feb 2024
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	€1,262

Registration conditions

Read the conditions HIQA attached to this registration

Other homes nearby

Worth phoning too if this home has no bed available.

St Joseph's Home

Private

Killorglin, Co. Kerry· 5.1 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,310 / week
Inspection score: 72
Beds: 48 beds
Phone: 066 976 1124

Whitethorn Lodge Care Home Tralee

Private

Tralee, Co. Kerry· 12 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,200 / week
Inspection score: 84
Beds: 68 beds
Phone: 066 711 9090

Tralee Community Nursing Unit

Public (HSE)

Tralee, Co. Kerry· 14 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,545 / week
Inspection score: 77
Beds: 46 beds
Phone: 066 719 9250

Saint Louis Nursing Home

Private

Tralee, Co. Kerry· 14 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,275 / week
Inspection score: 66
Beds: 25 beds
Phone: 066 712 1891

Ocean View Care Home

Private

Tralee, Co. Kerry· 15 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: Price not published
Inspection score: 73
Beds: 34 beds
Phone: 066 713 0267

Our Lady of Fatima Home

Voluntary

Tralee, Co. Kerry· 15 km away

Fair Deal weekly price: €1,252 / week
Inspection score: 82
Beds: 68 beds
Phone: 066 712 5900

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

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

Thematic inspection

Fair Deal price

Registration conditions

Other homes nearby