
Safe & Expert Addiction Treatment & Detox
Smarmore Castle Private Clinic is a residential rehab clinic for the treatment of alcohol, drug, gambling addiction and other behavioural addictions.
We are based in County Louth, Ireland, just a 30-minute drive from Dundalk. We provide an intensive, 12-step rehab and detox programme for alcohol, drugs and gambling problems.

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Alcohol and Drug Abuse Rates in Dundalk, Ireland
In 2011, the North East of Ireland, including Dundalk, had the highest recorded number of drug and alcohol-related deaths in the country. Lack of access to detox and residential rehab facilities was likely to have been a factor in this mortality rate.
Between 2008-2010, County Louth, including Drogheda, was classified in the second-highest category when it came to a number of patients treated with problem drug use, compared to other counties in Ireland. Across Ireland, drug-related deaths have shown an upward trend between 2009 and 2014.
There are high alcohol consumption rates in Dundalk compared to other countries in Europe. The average Irish person aged over 15 years old consumed the equivalent of 10.93 litres of pure alcohol in 2015. In 2014, among drinkers in Ireland aged 18-75, 6.9% were found to be dependent on alcohol. Alcohol dependence was most common for 18-24 year olds (14.7%). Over-consumption of alcohol has tragic results, with the rate of alcohol-related liver disease trebling in Ireland between 1995 and 2013.
Gambling Problems Ireland
The Irish Medical Association estimates that 1% of the Irish adult population experiences gambling addiction problems.

Over 40 Years of Experience Treating Addiction
Inpatient Rehab Treatment Clinic, near Dundalk
At Smarmore, our mission is to provide the highest quality and most effective treatment for our patients and those suffering from alcohol, drug and gambling addiction in Dundalk. We receive patients from Dublin, Dundalk, wider Ireland, the UK, EU and the rest of the world. We offer many different options for referral and admission.
Admissions for Patients from Dundalk and the Rest of Ireland
Patients from Dundalk and the rest of the Republic of Ireland can access detox and addiction rehab treatment at Smarmore in the following ways:
- As a private patient
- Through a private medical insurance plan
- Through the EU cross-border healthcare directive, if based within another EU country.
Contact us for more information on our admissions process.
Our Alcohol, Drugs, Gambling Treatment Programme
At Smarmore Castle, our expert team of therapists, nurses and doctors are led by a highly-experienced Consultant Psychiatrist. We provide an intensive, 12-step rehab and detox programme which includes:
- Rapid admissions process,
- Thorough medical assessment and full physical examination,
- Detoxification from alcohol and drugs, managed by our medical team,
- Specialist addiction therapies including individual therapy, group therapy, CBT, Trauma therapy, grief therapy,
- Complementary addiction therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, equine therapy and drumming therapy,
- Dual diagnosis treatment including eating disorders and depression,
- Use of our 22 metre indoor heated swimming pool with sauna and steam room, gym and sports with our fitness instructor,
- 16 acres of private gardens,
- Family therapy programme,
- Continuing care after discharge.

Our residential rehabilitation treatment programme is based on the clinically proven rehab treatment model pioneered by Castle Craig, our partner establishment in Scotland. This addiction treatment model has been developed over 30 years by a world-renowned team of doctors and psychologists.
Location: 30 Minutes from Dundalk
Smarmore Castle is situated just 30 minutes from Dundalk, in a stunning, countryside location in County Louth. Patients will find both privacy and comfort in a renovated 14th-century castle, housing excellent facilities including a leisure centre, gym and 22 metre, indoor swimming pool. Patients are able to explore the 15 acres of scenic landscape in their spare time.
Alcoholics Anonymous/Narcotics Anonymous Dundalk
We recommend you begin your journey to abstinence by seeking self-help through attending 12 Step peer support groups near Dundalk. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings are organised across Ireland, in Dublin, Cork, Tipperary, Limmerick, Galway, among others. They provide an invaluable network of support for those suffering from alcohol and drug addiction in Dundalk, Ireland.
Free & Confidential Addiction Assessment
Taking the first step in seeking help can be very difficult, our team is here to help you.
Contact Us at Smarmore for Addiction Advice
The team at Smarmore Castle is always available to answer questions about our rehab treatment programme, admissions, or funding. If you are from Dundalk and are thinking of entering rehab or if you are the family member, friend or employer of someone who is suffering from an alcohol or drug addiction in Dundalk, please contact us for support.
- How to Access Rehab With Health Insurance
For those experiencing existing mental health conditions in Ireland, there are private medical insurers who can help you cover treatment. As addiction experts, we know that receiving the appropriate care and support when you have a mental health disorder is pivotal to attaining long-lasting recovery. Below, we will go through the various health insurance options to help you understand your options when it comes to seeking private residential care for substance abuse. Please note that there is no guarantee that you can be covered for all addiction problems as policies are always assessed on a case-by-case basis. Find Out More
- My Loved One Doesn’t Want Help, What Do I Do?
You can’t force someone to go to rehab. At the end of the day, it needs to be their decision because they are the ones that need to be open to turning their lives around. There are ways in which you can encourage someone to enter treatment, one of these ways is via an intervention with a trained interventionist, who facilitates an honest discussion between family members and the addict. This is something Smarmore Castle can arrange – contact us today.
- Which Drugs Does Smarmore Castle Detox From?
We can detox people from any drugs whether they are illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, ketamine; or prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines or zopiclone, oxycodone, zolpidem, klonopin, methadone, cannabis; and legal drugs such as alcohol.
- How Long Is the Treatment Programme?
Our treatment programme starts at 4 weeks and is flexible in length, giving you the opportunity to extend for a longer period if you need it.
- Do You Treat Dual Diagnosis?
All patients are reviewed by a consultant psychiatrist in the first week and we can diagnose and provide treatment for a number of co-occurring mental health conditions.
- Do I Need to Be Abstinent Before Admission?
Our medically managed detoxification with 24/7 medical cover means that we can perform complete and complex detoxes at Smarmore Castle. You don’t need to be abstinent before arrival.
- How Do I Get To Rehab Safely?
Smarmore Castle is one hour north of Dublin international airport and we can arrange a driver to collect you and bring you straight to us for free.
We can also arrange a ‘sober transport’ service with a trusted driver, from anywhere in Ireland or Northern Ireland, at an additional cost.