One of the most important things when it comes to sex is safety. Whether you’re trying to prevent either pregnancy or infection, it’s important to know your options. It’s also important to know what you can do if protection fails or you have unprotected sex and are unaware of the other person’s status. STI checks are simple and there’s not much to the process. They’re not always free though, some private clinics can charge up to €120 for a full STI screen. This isn’t very student-friendly and such important healthcare should be freely accessible and luckily, it is. Below is a list of the clinics you can go to in Dublin for free.

 

 

• St. James’s Hospital, GUIDE Clinic, James’s Street, Dublin 8

 

St James’s GUIDE Clinic seems to be one of the most comprehensive STI screens in the city. The system has recently changed and you can now book an appointment online and all you have to do is show up on the day. At the clinic you will be screened for Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis.

 

If you are aged 20 or younger, there’s a Young Person’s Clinic starting at 10am. You do not book online for this and instead can phone the clinic at (01) 4162315 or (01) 4162316.

 

 

• Mater Misericordiae Hospital, STI Clinic, Eccles Street, Dublin 7

 

The Mater hospital runs a free STI clinic Monday and Wednesday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm for new patients and Tuesdays at the same time for returning patients.

 

These screenings are by appointment only and you can contact the clinic at 01 8032063. Like St James’s, they do a full STI screen.

 

 

• Outhouse LGBT Community Centre, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1.

 

 This service runs a walk-in clinic for men who have sex with men and transgender women on the 3rd Saturday of  every month at 1:30pm to 3:00pm. The number of the service is 01 873 4999 and it is free of charge.

 

• HIV Ireland, 70 Eccles Street, Dublin 7

 

HIV Ireland operates a free HIV and STI Testing Service. This service takes place on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month. The doors open at 1:00pm. They provide a walk-in service and no appointment is needed.

In addition to these services, there are rapid HIV testing services around the city at these locations.

• PantiBar, 7-8 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Saturday and Sunday, 3:30pm – 5:30pm.
• The Boilerhouse, 12 Crane Lane, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. Every Saturday from 5pm – 7pm.
• The George Bar, 89 South Great George’s Street, Dublin 2. Every Tuesday from 8pm 10pm.
• OutHouse, 105 Capel Street, Dublin 1. Every Wednesday 6-8pm 

No appointments are needed for these services and they are walk in.

Alternatively, there are the college’s own health services run a clinic on Wednesdays from 9:30am to 11:30am by appointment only. The cost for the screen is €20 and €5 will be refunded when you attend your appointment.

It is important to get checked and know you status so that if you are having unprotected sex, or suspect you might have an STI, there is no risk to you or others. Thankfully, the city has plenty of options to offer you, without breaking the bank.