KnowNow Rapid HIV Testing returns to Dublin this weekend with a new partner, HIV Ireland, who took over from the project’s previous partner, The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN).

GLEN’s closure in May 2017 led to the cessation of KnowNow Rapid HIV Testing services in Dublin, while KnowNow partners GOSHH in Limerick and the Sexual Health Centre in Cork continued to facilitate the service outside of the capital.

Excited to announce we're back this weekend offering free rapid HIV testing in #Dublin with results in 60 seconds. Full schedule: KnowNow.ie pic.twitter.com/3fiZe7U3iJ

— Adam Shanley (@Adlers1) September 22, 2017

Now, with HIV Ireland on board as a partner, the free and confidential service will resume with testing taking place in four venues in Dublin’s city centre, starting this weekend.

A KnowNow press release reads:

“The KnowNow Rapid HIV testing project is set to re-commence testing from this weekend in venues across Dublin.

The rapid testing project, which is a free, peer-led and community based service is set to begin testing once more in Dublin following an incredibly successful first phase in 2016/17.

The service is part of a national partnership which sees testing also taking place in Cork and Limerick. The service continued through the summer months in these regions while testing in Dublin was paused as a new partner for the capital was underway following the closure of the Gay & Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) earlier this year.

HIV Ireland has taken up the reigns of the service in Dublin and joins the Sexual Health Centre in Cork and GOSHH in Limerick. HIV Ireland is looking forward to working with all partners of the project.

KnowNow – the Rapid HIV testing service for men who have sex with men (MSM) returns to Dublin-based gay-identified bars, clubs and saunas as well as the city’s LGBT community centre, Outhouse, from this weekend. The service is free to all service users and is operated by trained gay and bisexual male volunteers from the community in which it aims to serve.

Service users are guaranteed a private and confidential space in the venues and offered a low threshold opportunity to test for HIV. The test itself is a painless finger prick test which develops a result in 60 seconds. Peer support, counselling and referrals are all available for those receiving both negative or reactive results should they be needed.”

When & Where

Testing is available at the following locations from tomorrow, September 23:

Pantibar – Saturday’s & Sunday’s – 4:30pm to 6:30pm

Boilerhouse – Sunday’s – 5:00pm – 8:00pm

The George – Tuesday’s – 8:00pm – 10:00pm

Outhouse – Wednesday’s – 6:00pm – 8:00pm

For more information about the Rapid HIV Testing service, visit KnowNow.ie