The Lansdowne College of Acupuncture and Complementary Medicine is situated three minutes from the Lansdowne Road, D.A.R.T. Station in Ballsbridge. The area is well served with shops, restaurants, transport and parks and offers a pleasant environment in which to study. The college incorporates a busy acupuncture clinic.

Lansdowne College was founded in 1996 and as well as offering a Diploma Course in Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine also offers a certificate in clinical medicine to graduates of other colleges who may not have had opportunity to adequately study western medicine. This is in keeping with the college's aim of multidisciplinary practice and safety.

The emphasis of the college is on teaching the student to attain a high level of skill in the practice of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. Encouragement and practical advice are given on establishing a successful acupuncture clinic.

A comprehensive curriculum in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Clinical Medicine is taught in an encouraging atmosphere which not only teaches the skills necessary to practice, but also to do safely due to the comprehensive training in Western Clinical Medicine.

The aim of the College is for the graduate to have high ethical standards where the welfare of the client is of prime importance. The College, before accepting any student on the course must be satisfied that he / she will agree to abide by a code of ethics which is the same as the code of ethics of the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.  

College Director 

Dr. Vincent Carroll is a Western Medical Doctor and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine. A graduate of University College Dublin, he worked in a number of hospitals rotating through the various specialities. He has a Diploma in Child Health, a Diploma in Obstetrics and studied Epidemiology, obtaining a Master's Degree in Public Health Medicine. Dr. Carroll is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Tropical Medicine and a Member of the British medical Acupuncture Association. Dr. Carroll worked at a senior level in the Irish Health Service before developing an interest in acupuncture. This interest arose from the knowledge that the Chinese health system is the world's largest and he considered that many of its benefits could be brought back to Western Europe. This lead him to study Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Herbalism, qualifying with a Diploma in Acupuncture.

Dr. Carroll saw the need for acupuncture to be integrated into the Irish Health Service but realised that this could not be achieved until there was an accepted standard or recognised qualification available to newly qualified acupuncturists. He was instrumental with a small number of other practitioners in setting up the Professional Register of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners of Ireland and later on the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Organisation.

The forerunner of the Professional Register which included Dr. Carroll, met the Minister for Health. The need for self regulation and public accountability was stressed by the Minister and this led to the formation of the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Organisation which is committed to safeguarding the interests of the general public much in the same way that the General Medical Council safeguards the interest of the public in matters relating to Western Medicine.

Dr. Carroll realised that the Association can only integrate fully into the Irish Health Service if the "title" Acupuncturist is protected in law and he recognises that this is best achieved through legislation. This can only happen when there is a sufficient number of competently qualified Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners practising in Ireland.

Dr. Carroll has established the Lansdowne College of Acupuncture and Complementary Medicine. Students who successfully complete the course will be awarded a Diploma in Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Students will also be facilitated in obtaining membership of the Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Organisation.

The course is specifically moulded to cover the areas of knowledge and practical experience required for the newly qualified practitioner seeking membership of the Association. Dr. Carroll is of the opinion that when Acupuncture is subjected to government control and regulation, the Association will be the approved Register and membership of it will be essential in order to practise.