Thurles has welcomed the launch of Premier Skills Institute, a new independent centre for veterinary continuing professional development (CPD), marking a significant addition to Ireland's specialist education infrastructure outside of Dublin.

Formerly the CPD division of Duggan Veterinary Supplies, a family-owned Tipperary business established in 1987, the institute became a standalone entity in January 2026 following sustained demand for its hands-on training programmes since their introduction in 2021.

The institute offers surgical and non-surgical education across soft tissue and orthopaedic surgery, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesia, critical care, and medical nursing, with courses running four to five days per week including evenings and weekends.

Its clinical skills lab is currently the only regular teaching facility of its kind outside the UCD veterinary hospital in Ireland, serving veterinary practitioners and nurses from across Ireland and Europe.

CEO Donal Duggan said the institute emerged directly from gaps the business identified in existing provision. "We listened to our customers and identified gaps in education that traditional third-level institutions could not fill," he said. "This led to the creation of a practical, hands-on learning environment that addresses real-world challenges in animal health."

CPD Business Manager Sarah Keane noted the breadth of the current offer. "We provide onsite, online, and on-demand learning across surgical and non-surgical topics," she said.

The institute currently serves over 800 clinics in Ireland and 1,000 in the UK, with expansion to an 11-acre site planned.

Discover how Premier Skills Institute is reshaping veterinary education in the full original report by TipperyLive.