Heart health decisions are among the most significant a person can make. When you or someone close to you needs to see a private cardiologist in Dublin, the information available online tends to be either too general to be useful or too outdated to be trusted.
This guide is different. Every cardiologist listed here has been verified against hospital directories, academic profiles, the Vhi Healthcare consultant directory, and clinical publications. No one appears here on the basis of advertising or self-promotion.
You will find ten of Dublin’s most respected consultant cardiologists, their sub-specialisations, the hospitals where they currently practise, and practical guidance on what kind of patient each one is best suited for, including those who collaborate closely with specialists connected to the Children Hospital Dublin network.
There is also a section on what to expect when booking a cardiology consultation in Dublin, including costs, insurance, and referral requirements.
What to Know Before Booking a Cardiology Consultation in Dublin
Before exploring the cardiologists themselves, a few practical points are worth understanding. They can save you considerable time and money.
GP referral:
Most Dublin cardiology consultants require a GP referral letter before they will confirm an appointment. This is standard clinical practice rather than a bureaucratic obstacle. Your GP’s letter gives the cardiologist your relevant history, recent blood results, and any ECG findings, which allows the consultation to be genuinely productive rather than starting from scratch.
Cost:
A private cardiology consultation in Dublin typically costs between €200 and €300 for an initial appointment. Follow-up appointments are generally in the range of €150 to €200. Costs vary by consultant and clinic. Any procedures or tests are charged separately.
Health insurance:
Most major private health insurance plans in Ireland, including Vhi, Laya Healthcare, and Irish Life Health, cover consultant cardiology consultations at recognised facilities. Coverage levels vary significantly between plans. Always confirm your specific benefit directly with your insurer before attending.
Public vs private:
All ten consultants in this guide see patients privately. Several also hold public consultant posts at HSE hospitals. If you are a public patient, speak to your GP about a referral through the relevant hospital’s public cardiology outpatient department, which may involve a waiting period.
Confirm before attending:
Hospital affiliations, consulting days, and availability can change. Always confirm your appointment directly with the consultant’s secretary before attending.
The Best Cardiologists in Dublin in 2026
These ten consultant cardiologists cover the full spectrum of cardiac care in Dublin, from general cardiology and preventive medicine through to highly specialised interventional procedures, electrophysiology, congenital heart disease, and structural heart disease.
1. Professor Robert Byrne: Interventional Cardiology and Coronary Intervention
- Hospitals: Mater Private Network, Heart and Vascular Centre, 72 Eccles Street, Dublin 7
- Sub-specialisation: Interventional Cardiology, Coronary Intervention, Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Academic role: Professor of Cardiovascular Research, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences; Director, Cardiovascular Research Institute Dublin (CVRI Dublin)
Professor Byrne is the Director of Cardiology at Mater Private Network and one of the most internationally recognised interventional cardiologists currently practising in Ireland. He trained at University College Dublin, completed a fellowship at the German Heart Centre in Munich, and later served as deputy director of Cardiology there.
He was Co-Chair of the European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Acute Coronary Syndrome in 2023. He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications in journals including the New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, JAMA, and the European Heart Journal. He is Deputy Editor at EuroIntervention, and hosts the annual Dublin Heart Summit in partnership with RCSI and the Irish Cardiac Society.
As Director of CVRI Dublin, a collaboration between Mater Private Network and RCSI, Professor Byrne leads one of the most active cardiovascular research programmes in Ireland.
Best suited for: Patients requiring interventional cardiology for coronary artery disease, stenting, acute coronary syndrome assessment, or those seeking a cardiologist Dublin with access to cutting-edge research-led care.
2. Professor David Keane: Electrophysiology and Atrial Fibrillation
- Hospitals: Blackrock Clinic (Suite 11, Rock Road, Blackrock); St Vincent’s University Hospital; St Vincent’s Private Hospital
- Sub-specialisation: Cardiac Electrophysiology, Atrial Fibrillation, Catheter Ablation, Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Qualifications: FHRS, FRCPI, PhD
Professor Keane is the Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Service at St Vincent’s University Hospital and is internationally regarded as one of Europe’s leading specialists in catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. He is Chair of the EP Subgroup of the Irish Cardiac Society and a Fellow of the Heart Rhythm Society.
His training path is unusually distinguished. After qualifying at the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, he trained at Guy’s Hospital London, completed his PhD at Erasmus University Hospital in Rotterdam, and spent eight years at Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, where he served as Director of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. He has 84 published research papers with over 6,900 academic citations.
Best suited for: Patients with atrial fibrillation, cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms. Among the strongest options in Dublin for anyone who has been told they may need catheter ablation. Also highly suited to patients whose GP has identified a heart rhythm disorder and who want to see a heart rhythm specialist in Dublin for a definitive assessment.
3. Professor Joseph Galvin: Inherited Cardiac Conditions and Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention
- Hospitals: Mater Private Network, 72 Eccles Street, Dublin 7; Mater Misericordiae University Hospital; Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown
- Sub-specialisation: Cardiac Electrophysiology, Inherited Cardiac Conditions, Sudden Cardiac Death Prevention, Syncope
Professor Galvin trained at the Mater Hospital Dublin, University of Vermont, and Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, where he was appointed as a Cardiac Electrophysiologist and Director of Cardiac Pacing before returning to Dublin.
His primary clinical focus is on cardiac arrhythmias, genetic and inherited cardiac diseases, syncope (unexplained blackouts), and the prevention of sudden cardiac death.
He holds a particular interest in conditions such as Long QT Syndrome, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and other inherited cardiac muscle disorders that carry an elevated risk of sudden cardiac events. Family screening for these conditions is a significant part of his practice.
Best suited for: Patients and families affected by inherited cardiac conditions, those with unexplained blackouts or palpitations, and anyone with a family history of sudden cardiac death who wants a specialist assessment. Also suitable for patients seeking an electrophysiology consultant Dublin for device therapy including pacemakers and ICDs.
4. Professor Ivan Casserly: Structural Heart Disease and TAVI
- Hospitals: Mater Private Network, 72 Eccles Street, Dublin 7; Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- Sub-specialisation: Structural Heart and Valve Disease, TAVI, Interventional Cardiology, Peripheral Artery Disease
Professor Casserly is one of Ireland’s foremost experts in structural heart disease and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation, known as TAVI. This minimally invasive procedure replaces the aortic valve without open-heart surgery and has transformed the outlook for older patients with severe aortic stenosis who would previously have had no viable surgical option.
He trained at the Mayo Clinic, the Cleveland Clinic, and Barnes Jewish Hospital in the USA, developing a focused subspecialty in coronary intervention, peripheral endovascular procedures, and structural heart disease. Following this, he spent seven years at the University of Colorado before returning to Ireland. Since 2008, he has led the TAVI programme at the Mater, where he has performed over 150 procedures.
Best suited for: Patients with aortic valve disease, valvular heart conditions, or structural cardiac abnormalities. Particularly relevant for older patients or those with complex medical backgrounds for whom traditional open-heart surgery carries elevated risk. One of the strongest options in Dublin for anyone seeking a structural heart disease consultant.
5. Professor Kevin Walsh: Congenital Heart Disease in Adults and Children
- Hospitals: Mater Hospital; Mater Private Network; Beacon Hospital, Sandyford
- Sub-specialisation: Congenital Heart Disease (Adult and Paediatric), Structural Heart Disease, Coronary Intervention
- Academic role: Clinical Lead, National Adult Congenital Heart Service, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
Professor Walsh occupies a uniquely important national role. He is the Clinical Lead for Ireland’s National Adult Congenital Heart Service, which means he oversees care for adults living with conditions present from birth that affect the heart’s structure or function.
His record of clinical firsts is notable. He performed the first transcatheter ASD (atrial septal defect) closure in the UK in 1993, the first CE-approved Melody pulmonic valve implantation in Europe in 2006, and the first Amplatzer Cardiac Plug implantation for atrial fibrillation in 2008 at the Beacon Hospital. His expertise spans both the paediatric and adult congenital cardiology spectrum.
Best suited for: Adults living with congenital heart conditions, patients transitioning from paediatric cardiac care into adult services, and families whose child has received a congenital cardiac diagnosis and requires a specialist with both surgical and interventional expertise. The primary point of referral in Ireland for complex congenital heart conditions.
6. Dr. Paddy Barrett: Preventive Cardiology and Cardiovascular Risk Management
- Hospital: Blackrock Clinic, Rock Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
- Sub-specialisation: Preventive Cardiology, Cardiovascular Risk Management, Coronary Artery Disease, Cholesterol and Metabolic Syndrome
Dr. Barrett is one of Ireland’s most recognised preventive cardiologists and one of the most accessible for patients seeking a heart health assessment in Dublin rather than treatment for an existing diagnosis.
He trained at the Scripps Translational Science Institute in California and Columbia University Medical Centre in New York. His research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine and The Lancet. He is the author of the bestselling book “Heart: An Owner’s Guide” and runs a weekly newsletter on heart disease prevention that reaches over 120,000 readers monthly. He has collaborated with NASA evaluating medical technologies in zero-gravity environments.
His practice focuses on identifying and managing cardiovascular risk before a cardiac event occurs. This includes cholesterol management, blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, lifestyle-based interventions, and coronary artery calcium scoring to identify disease early.
Best suited for: Patients with a family history of heart disease who want a thorough personal risk assessment, those seeking a preventive cardiologist Dublin for proactive long-term management, and anyone who has been told they have borderline cholesterol or blood pressure and wants a specialist view on how to act on it.
7. Dr. Jonathan Lyne: Heart Rhythm Disorders and Cardiac Imaging
- Hospitals: Beacon Hospital, Sandyford, Dublin 18; Blackrock Clinic, Rock Road, Blackrock
- Sub-specialisation: Electrophysiology, Cardiac Imaging, Atrial Fibrillation, Cryoablation, Heart Rhythm Disorders
- Academic role: Associate Clinical Professor, University College Dublin
Dr. Lyne is a Cambridge medical graduate who trained in both electrophysiology and cardiac imaging at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, one of the UK’s leading specialist cardiac centres. He is a Fellow of both the Heart Rhythm Society and the European Society of Cardiology.
He has a particular interest in cryoablation for atrial arrhythmias and is highly regarded by patients for his communication style and thorough follow-up care. Patient testimonials consistently reference the clarity of his explanations before procedures and the attentiveness of his post-procedure support team.
Best suited for: Patients with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, palpitations, or other heart rhythm disorders who want a heart rhythm specialist Dublin with access to Beacon and Blackrock facilities. Also well suited to patients who require cardiac imaging alongside electrophysiology assessment.
8. Dr. Angie Brown: General Cardiology, Valvular Disease and Women’s Heart Health
- Hospitals: Bon Secours Hospital, Glasnevin, Dublin 9; Beacon Hospital, Sandyford; Hermitage Medical Clinic, Lucan
- Sub-specialisation: General Cardiology, Cardiac Imaging, Valvular Heart Disease, Ischaemic Heart Disease
- Role: Medical Director, Irish Heart Foundation
Dr. Brown is a Cambridge University medical graduate who completed her cardiology training at King’s College Hospital London. She is the Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation and one of Ireland’s most prominent public voices on heart health, particularly on the often under-recognised presentation of cardiac symptoms in women.
Her clinical practice covers coronary angiograms, CT angiograms, transoesophageal echocardiograms, and dobutamine stress echocardiography across her three Dublin hospitals. She has been a consistent advocate for primary prevention and has led the Irish Heart Foundation’s Go Red for Women campaign, which raises awareness of cardiac symptoms specific to female patients.
Best suited for: Patients seeking a general cardiologist Dublin for a comprehensive assessment, those with valvular conditions or ischaemic heart disease, and women in particular who want a consultant with deep expertise in how cardiovascular disease presents differently across genders.
9. Professor Pat Nash: Cardiac Imaging and Heart Failure
- Hospital: Blackrock Clinic, Rock Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin
- Sub-specialisation: Cardiac Imaging, Heart Failure, Echocardiography
Professor Nash trained at University College Cork and completed subspecialty fellowships in Cardiac Imaging and Heart Failure at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio, one of the world’s leading cardiac centres.
He is listed as a consultant cardiologist at Blackrock Health and is regarded as one of Dublin’s leading experts in advanced cardiac imaging and heart failure management.
Blackrock Clinic operates Ireland’s only full-time dedicated cardiac imaging centre, making it a particularly strong setting for patients whose diagnosis requires detailed echocardiographic or cardiac imaging assessment.
Best suited for: Patients who have been told they have heart failure or reduced cardiac function and need specialist management, those requiring detailed cardiac imaging Dublin as part of a diagnostic workup, and patients whose GP has identified an abnormality on echocardiogram that warrants specialist review.
10. Dr. Mark Hensey: Interventional Cardiology and Transcatheter Valve Therapies
- Hospitals: St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8; St James’s Private Clinic
- Sub-specialisation: Interventional Cardiology, Transcatheter Valve Therapies, Structural Heart Disease
Dr. Hensey is a UCD medical graduate who completed specialist training in interventional cardiology in Vancouver, Canada, with a focused fellowship in novel transcatheter therapies for valvular heart disease. This is one of the fastest-evolving areas of modern cardiology, and he returned to Ireland with a highly current skill set in minimally invasive valve procedures.
He is now a consultant interventional cardiologist at St James’s Hospital, one of Dublin’s largest public teaching hospitals and a national cardiac centre. His practice sits at the intersection of coronary intervention and structural heart disease, with a focus on transcatheter approaches that avoid the need for open-heart surgery where possible.
Best suited for: Patients referred for interventional assessment of valvular conditions, those seeking a consultant interventional cardiologist Dublin at a major national cardiac centre, and patients for whom minimally invasive transcatheter valve therapy may be appropriate.
The Best Cardiology Hospitals in Dublin: Where Each Consultant Practises
Understanding where each consultant works helps you navigate the private cardiology landscape in Dublin more confidently.
| Hospital | Key Strength | Notable Consultants |
| Mater Private Network, Eccles Street | Largest private heart centre in Ireland; CVRI research institute; widest sub-specialisation across interventional, structural, EP, imaging, and vascular | Prof. Byrne, Prof. Casserly, Prof. Galvin, Prof. Walsh |
| Blackrock Clinic, Blackrock | Longest history of pioneering procedures; Ireland’s only full-time cardiac imaging centre; dedicated EP Cath Lab | Prof. Keane, Dr. Barrett, Prof. Nash, Dr. Lyne |
| St Vincent’s University Hospital | National Cardiac Arrhythmia Service; strong public EP programme | Prof. Keane |
| Beacon Hospital, Sandyford | Good access and range; congenital and general cardiology; Luas accessible | Prof. Walsh, Dr. Brown, Dr. Lyne |
| Bon Secours Dublin, Glasnevin | General and interventional cardiology; cath lab on site | Dr. Brown |
| St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8 | Major national public cardiac centre; structural heart; national ACS programme | Dr. Hensey |
How to Choose the Right Cardiologist in Dublin for Your Situation
The right cardiologist depends on your specific clinical situation, not on a single ranking. Here is a practical summary to guide your thinking.
If you need an interventional cardiologist in Dublin for coronary artery disease, stenting, or acute cardiac assessment, Professor Byrne at Mater Private or Dr. Hensey at St James’s both offer this expertise.
If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or a heart rhythm disorder and want to explore catheter ablation, Professor Keane at Blackrock and St Vincent’s or Dr. Lyne at Beacon and Blackrock are among the most experienced options in the country.
If you or a family member has an inherited cardiac condition or a history of unexplained blackouts, Professor Galvin at Mater Private has a dedicated focus in this area.
If you need structural heart or valve disease management, including TAVI, Professor Casserly at the Mater is Ireland’s most experienced practitioner in this field.
If your primary goal is understanding and reducing your long-term risk of heart disease, Dr. Barrett at Blackrock Clinic specialises in exactly this.
And if heart failure or advanced cardiac imaging is the priority, Professor Nash at Blackrock Clinic has subspecialty training from the Cleveland Clinic in both areas.
A first consultation with any of these consultants will give you a far clearer picture of your specific situation and what steps are appropriate next.
Practical Things to Know Before Your First Cardiology Appointment in Dublin
What to bring:
Bring any recent blood test results, previous ECGs if you have them, a list of your current medications, and a written note of your symptoms including when they started. If a GP has already done any cardiac tests, bring those results too.
What happens at a first consultation:
A first appointment with a private cardiologist in Dublin will typically last 30 to 45 minutes. The consultant will take a detailed cardiac history, listen to your heart, review any existing test results, and may order further investigations such as an echocardiogram, a Holter monitor, a stress test, or blood work. Some tests can be done the same day at the same facility.
On referral letters:
If your GP has not yet provided a referral letter, contact the consultant’s secretary and ask whether they accept self-referrals in the first instance. Some do. Others require a formal GP referral before they will allocate an appointment slot.
On insurance pre-authorisation:
If your health insurer requires pre-authorisation for consultant visits, arrange this before your appointment rather than after. A rejected pre-authorisation claim is more difficult to reverse after the fact.
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FAQs
Q: Do I need a GP referral to see a private cardiologist in Dublin?
Most consultant cardiologists in Dublin require a GP referral letter before confirming an appointment. It is worth contacting the consultant’s secretary directly to confirm their specific requirements.
Q: How much does a private cardiology consultation cost in Dublin in 2026?
Initial consultations typically cost between €200 and €300. Follow-up appointments generally range from €150 to €200. Tests and procedures are charged separately. Most major Irish health insurance plans cover consultations at recognised facilities, but benefit levels vary by plan.
Q: What is the difference between an interventional cardiologist and a general cardiologist in Dublin?
A general cardiologist assesses, diagnoses, and manages heart conditions medically. An interventional cardiologist performs catheter-based procedures inside the heart or arteries, such as coronary stenting, angioplasty, or valve therapies.
Q: Who are the best cardiologists in Dublin for atrial fibrillation?
Professor David Keane at Blackrock Clinic and St Vincent’s, and Dr. Jonathan Lyne at Beacon Hospital and Blackrock Clinic, are among Dublin’s most experienced consultants in atrial fibrillation, catheter ablation, and electrophysiology.
Q: Is there a cardiologist in Dublin who specialises in heart health prevention?
Dr. Paddy Barrett at Blackrock Clinic is one of Dublin’s most prominent preventive cardiologists. His practice focuses specifically on identifying and reducing cardiovascular risk rather than treating established disease. He is contactable through myhearthealth.ie.