Abbott marks 80 years in Ireland, looks ahead to the future of diabetes care in Kilkenny

Abbott is marking its 80th anniversary in Ireland — a milestone that marks eight decades of innovation, investment, and deep roots in communities across the country.

Since 1946, Abbott has grown from its earliest days in Ireland into one of the country's top ten employers, with more than 6,200 people working across 10 sites in all four provinces. The company's Irish operations span nutrition, diabetes care, cardiovascular health, and diagnostics — producing life-changing technologies that are exported across the world and contribute to Abbott's ambition to improve the lives of three billion people globally by 2030.

The Kilkenny site supports Abbott's global diabetes care business. Opened in 2024, the state of the art 30,000 square metre manufacturing facility represents a significant investment in Ireland and has become a global manufacturing centre of excellence.

The facility was built with sustainability in mind. The site is fully electric, powered by six air-to-water heat pumps; has nearly 600 solar panels on the roof, and features tanks for collecting rainwater to use on-site. During construction, no soil went to the landfill. It was instead used in a sustainable landscape that includes a walking track for colleagues and wildflower plantings to provide a habitat for local pollinators. The site also achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in 2025 according to LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction, Warehouses and Distribution Centers at the Silver certification level.

The site manufactures FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors, the latest generation of Abbott's world-leading Libre continuous glucose monitoring portfolio1.

Speaking about the milestone, Sam Kamali, Site Director at Abbott in Kilkenny said: "As Abbott celebrates 80 years in Ireland, we are proud of the role our 6,200 employees across 10 sites have played in advancing healthcare for people around the world. Here in Kilkenny, our team is helping shape the future of diabetes care through the manufacture of innovative FreeStyle Libre technology that improves the lives of millions of people globally. We are proud of what we have achieved and excited about the opportunities ahead."

Abbott's presence in Kilkenny extends beyond healthcare innovation. Across Ireland, Abbott's employee-led community programme, Croí an Óir (Heart of Gold), has raised more than €3 million and supported hundreds of charities nationwide since 2007.

Locally, Abbott employees in Kilkenny support community organisations through fundraising, volunteering and charitable giving. Through Croí an Óir, employees work together to strengthen community health and wellbeing, share their skills and expertise, and support causes that make a meaningful difference across County Kilkenny.

Kilkenny's charity of choice is Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre, which provides vital support services to people affected by cancer and their families. Since 2025, the site has raised more than €22,000 for good causes. Recently, Abbott welcomed 500 employees, families, runners and members of the local community to its inaugural Abbott Festival of Running in Kilkenny. Organised in partnership with the Kilkenny City Harriers, the event raised €7,240 for local charities and community initiatives.

As Abbott marks 80 years in Ireland, Kilkenny continues to play an important role in Abbott's global network. To support its ongoing growth, Abbott is actively growing its team in Kilkenny. 

The Kilkenny site is Abbott's newest Diabetes Care manufacturing facility and a global manufacturing centre of excellence. Officially opened in 2024, the facility manufactures FreeStyle Libre 3 and Libre 3 Plus sensors.

Abbott is also investing in the next generation of local STEM talent, most notably with a $100,000 grant to The Ireland Funds’ No Mind Left Behind scholarship programme. This is supporting three students from Kilkenny DEIS schools to pursue third-level STEM education helping to create pathways to future careers in science, technology, engineering, and maths.