WATCH: Exciting new education and training institute officially launches in Tipperary

Thurles has officially welcomed Premier Skills Institute, a new independent centre for veterinary professional development.

Formerly part of Duggan Veterinary Supplies, the institute now operates as a standalone company, offering advanced education and practical training for veterinary practitioners and nurses across Ireland and Europe.

The institute’s origins lie in the CPD (Continuing Professional Development) division of Duggan Veterinary Supplies, a family-owned business founded in 1987 in Holycross, county Tipperary. 

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Initially focused on supplying medicines, instruments, and consumables to veterinary clinics across Ireland and the UK, Duggan Veterinary recognised a growing need for practical, skills-based education within the profession.

In 2021, the company launched its first on-site CPD courses, providing hands-on training in soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia, critical care, and medical nursing. The courses quickly expanded in both scope and demand, attracting veterinary professionals from Ireland and beyond. 

 “The reaction has been fantastic,” said Donal Duggan, CEO of Duggan Group. “We listened to our customers and identified gaps in education that traditional third-level institutions could not fill. This led to the creation of a practical, hands-on learning environment that addresses real-world challenges in animal health.”

As of January 2026, the CPD division became a separate entity and was rebranded as Premier Skills Institute. The institute is currently based within Duggan Veterinary Supplies Ltd in Thurles, with plans to expand onto a future 11-acre site.

The facility includes a clinical skills lab, conference suite, office space, and dining facilities, allowing veterinarians and nurses to train on the latest instruments and technologies. The lab is currently the only regular teaching space outside the UCD veterinary hospital in Ireland.

Sarah Keane, CPD Business Manager and a qualified veterinary nurse, explained, “We provide onsite, online, and on-demand learning across surgical and non-surgical topics.

Our courses now run four to five days a week, including evenings and weekends, covering everything from large animal surgery to wellbeing and management topics for veterinary teams.”

Donnacha Duggan, Company Director, highlighted the institute’s impact. “We service over 800 clinics in Ireland and 1,000 in the UK. The support for our CPD courses since 2021 has been phenomenal.”

Premier Skills Institute combines Duggan Veterinary’s four decades of industry expertise with a forward-thinking approach to education. “This is a major boost for Tipperary,” Donal Duggan added.

“We employ nearly 70 people and plan to expand further. By keeping training local, we create opportunities for professionals who might otherwise travel to Dublin or Cork. Community engagement remains central to our values, especially supporting youth and female participation in animal health careers.”

With its expert-led courses and practical, hands-on training, Premier Skills Institute positions Thurles as a national hub for veterinary skills development, empowering professionals to deliver exceptional care to both pets and livestock.

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