IPU National Pharmacy Conference is the largest pharmacy educational and networking event in Ireland.
🗓️ The IPU AGM will take place on Friday 9 May and the IPU National Pharmacy Conference on Saturday 10 May.
🗺️ The Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny
🎤Enjoy the opportunity to engage with fellow members, sponsors and exhibitors
🌍Network with pharmacists and cultivate connections that lead to longterm business relationships
SVP and Commercial Lead UKI, EU and Strategic Partnerships – Radiobotics
Darren Stephens is a seasoned leader with extensive experience spanning pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, infection prevention, and healthcare services across Europe, including the NHS and Ireland’s HSE. At Radiobotics, Darren drives strategic partnerships and commercial activities, focusing on advancing the adoption of AI-driven solutions in healthcare.
Before joining Radiobotics, Darren spearheaded the EU commercial business at Qure.ai, where he developed growth strategies, expanded market presence, and built high-performing teams in healthcare and radiology AI. His leadership portfolio also includes serving as UK and Ireland Country Manager at Everlight Radiology, one of the fastest-growing global teleradiology providers, and managing Point of Care and Laboratory Solutions for Roche Diagnostics in Ireland. Earlier in his career, Darren honed his expertise in sales and account management with Pfizer and Ecolab.
Darren serves as Chief Growth Officer for the American Irish Medical Summit, a collaborative initiative between RCSI and Northwestern University, driving thought leadership in ethical AI for healthcare.
Irish Author and Medical doctor
Dr Harry Barry is a highly respected Irish author and medic, with over three decades of experience as a GP. He has developed a holistic approach with an emphasis on the combination of Neuroscience concepts, lifestyle changes and where necessary drug therapy, with the application of simple CBT approaches to effectively manage these conditions. In relation to the workplace, he has spoken regularly about the importance of self-care, combining lifestyle changes and emotional resilience skills to improve our mental well-being and reduce the incidence of mental health difficulties.
Dr Barry is the author of numerous books such as Emotional Resilience, Anxiety and Panic, Toxic Stress, Self-Acceptance and Emotional Healing and many more addressing many different aspects of mental health.
He is also a regular contributor to national media, such as the Claire Byrne Today radio show, where he has taken part in a monthly slot for the past twelve years. His most recent book The Power of Connection was published in 2023 and got to number one in the non-fiction bestseller list.
Registrar and Chief Officer, PSI-The Pharmacy Regulator
Joanne Kissane is the Registrar and Chief Officer of the PSI. Before joining the PSI, she was the Director and National Coordinator for APPEL, a joint office of the three Schools of Pharmacy in Ireland, which manages the student experiential learning placements for the integrated master’s degree programmes in pharmacy. She has worked in community pharmacy as a practising pharmacist, and she was the superintendent pharmacist for Lloyds Pharmacy for seven years and subsequently held the role of Head of Operational Excellence for the organisation.
Joanne was a member of the PSI Council for seven years. She chaired several PSI committees during this time and served two years as PSI President.
The Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny
👉Paulstown Road, Lyrath Kilkenny, R95 F685
🚕 6 minutes by taxi from Kilkenny Railway Station
Room Rates:
The Lyrath Estate hotel is a luxurious five-star hotel in the medieval heart of Ireland, Kilkenny. Lyrath Estate is celebrated for its gorgeous grounds that are spread across 170 acres of Irish countryside, complete with picturesque lakes, historic gardens, and emerald woodlands.
The historic 17th Century Estate House sits alongside its modern-day extension, demonstrating the triumphant marriage of old and new. The preservation of the old house and the clean, contemporary design of the new hotel are blended seamlessly. Attention to detail is key throughout, from international service, indulgent pampering treats, first class events and entertainment venues, an award-winning spa, exciting onsite outdoor pursuits and activities to sumptuous food and wine.
The Spa at Lyrath Estate offers the ultimate experience in luxury, elegance, and style and their highly trained therapists will immerse your mind, body, and soul in pure indulgence.
The treatment list is filled with carefully selected therapies from Elemis, Kerstin Florian and Medik8, to give you a five-star treatment to remember. There are ten treatment rooms, a private mud chamber and a Hydrotherapy suite.
Spa is open subject to availability and pricing depends on the treatment required.
Whether or not you have experienced Falconry before, you will get a chance to handle these magnificent creatures, letting them fly from your gloved hand and returning for feeding. It is an amazing experience to encounter a hunting animal with such close contact.
Falconry can be booked directly with John – john@hawkeyefalconry.ie
Discover the allure of Archery as the expert instructors guide you through an engaging lesson in this ancient discipline. They provide state-of-the-art recurve bows and an array of targets, including straw and 3D targets, to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. Rest assured, no prior experience is required.
A qualified instructor will be by your side, offering personalised guidance to enhance your confidence and precision.
They recommend groups of 12 max per slot, €35 per person.
Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years.
Today, Kilkenny Castle is open to visitors all year round and is largely a Victorian remodelling of the thirteenth century defensive Castle.
St Canice’s Cathedral was built between 1202 and 1285. It stands on an important ecclesiastical site and has been a place of Christian prayer for over 800 years. Cill Channigh is Gaelic for The Church of Canice, which originally stood on the site in the 6th century.
Ballykeefe Distillery is ‘The Birthplace of Irish Whiskey’ and is located among the beautiful Irish countryside of the medieval capital, Kilkenny City. At Ballykeefe Distillery they produce a range of super-premium spirits in an eco-friendly environment.
300 years of brewing experience is recounted in this immersive, sensorially engaging attraction. Discover the history of Smithwick’s, Ireland’s oldest beer. Witness the fascinating heritage of the Smithwick’s family and their significant standing in Kilkenny history.
Rothe House is the only example of an early 17th century merchant’s townhouse in Ireland. Rothe House was built between 1594 and 1610 by John Rothe Fitz Piers. The house is comprised of three buildings, one behind the other. The additional buildings were added in 1604 and 1610 to accommodate the merchant’s growing family of twelve children.
Rothe House Gardens opened in 2008 and are a reconstruction of an early 17th century urban walled garden. The half-acre gardens are also open to the public.
Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum in Inistioge, County Kilkenny dates back to 1740. The gardens were once known as some of the finest in Ireland. The development of the gardens occurred in the Victorian Period, but unfortunately, it fell into disrepair. The gardens and arboretum have been carefully restored by Kilkenny County Council and notably contain a selection of ‘champion’ trees. Woodstock overlooks the Nore River Valley and is the ideal spot for a daytrip.
Peter Marks MacDonagh Junction Kilkenny
MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, Hebron Road, Pennefatherslot, Kilkenny
056 778 9077
Peter Marks Market Cross Kilkenny
Unit 1-3, Market Cross Shopping Centre, James’s St, Gardens, Kilkenny
056 776 2825
William St, Gardens, Kilkenny
056 776 3877
10 Ormonde St, Gardens, Kilkenny
056 777 190
Unit 2-3, Block A, Newpark Shopping Centre, Newpark, Kilkenny
056 775 6055
The hotel offers babysitting services. You can book at reception.
– €14 per hour
– €15 per hour after midnight
