r/Kilkenny

Hi 👋

I had ordered a Mario Kart Championship Belt on Etsy, and the seller messed up my shipping info. I live on a little island in Washington State, and somehow my package was delivered to an address in Kilkenny, Ireland.

Just for fun, if anyone on this thread sees this post and happened to have received the belt, could you send a picture of yourself with it? Or maybe just hang it up by a town sign? The item was originally ordered for a silly work event, and since it's too late now to order another one I would love a picture to just tell the story and get a laugh.

I'm relatively new to the area and am looking to join a football team around Kilkenny City.

I'm not looking for anything very competitive, just a decent standard with a good group of lads who enjoy the game.

I'm reasonably fit, but it's been a while since I've played regularly, so I'd probably be best suited to mid league team.

If anyone knows of any clubs looking for players or can point me in the right direction, or let me know the names of teams I can contact, I'd really appreciate it.

I posted here about a year ago on another account when I’d been with Abbott for a year. I’m nearly two years in now, so I thought I’d update it and add a few more things I’ve learned. For context, I came from a retail background with no manufacturing experience and no qualifications related to manufacturing, so everything I learned was on the job**.** I’ve added a few more bits towards the end. I’m happy to answer any questions too.

Pay & hours:

Line operator base pay - €14.50/hr with a shift premium of 33% that you get regardless of working days/nights.
Roughly speaking with shift rate it's €19/hr. Work week is 42 hours. 42k annually with possibility of overtime. Hourly wage goes up in small increments every April on a performance basis. Paid every two weeks. There is an annual bonus paid to all employees every April.
• Lead operator pay is €16.50/hr with shift premium of 33%. Roughly €22/hr.

Benefits:

Basic VHI health insurance covered 100% by Abbott and the option to add dental to it at your own expense. (Can add other VHI plans and Abbott pays towards it)

Pension scheme - you contribute 4% of your salary and Abbott contributes 12%.

Other benefits include:
Life insurance
Employee Stock Purchase Program
Education Assistance (must have 1 years service to apply)
Reward & Recognition programme
Earn & Refer program
Subsidised canteen dinners (€5 a meal)
Free Gym access for employees

Shift pattern:

4 cycle pattern 12 hour shifts 7-7. You have a short week & a long week. 2 days (Weds/Thurs), 5 days (Mon,Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun), 2 nights (Weds/Thurs and 5 nights (Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun) - repeat. - 84 hours worked over two weeks. Paid every two weeks.
Lunch breaks are two 15 mins & one 30 mins.
Line operators, Lead Operators, Maintenance/ manufacturing Techs, warehouse & Quality Techs all work the above shift pattern. Office staff work 8am - 4.30pm Mon - Fri.

Uniform:

Abbott provides employees with workwear when you start. This includes polo shirts, T-shirts, quarter zips, fleeces, jackets all with Abbott logo.

Pre employment medical - what to expect:

During the pre employment medical you’ll complete a number of health checks. These typically include a vision test, hearing test, lung function test and a urine sample (urinalysis). You’ll also have your height, weight and blood pressure checked, complete a medical questionnaire about your health and medications, and discuss any previous injuries or medical conditions with the occupational health nurse or doctor. The medical is generally straightforward and is to ensure you’re fit to safely carry out the role.

The work involved for a line operator:

The work itself isn’t difficult or particularly physical. It’s actually decent pay for what you have to do. The downside is that it can become very repetitive over a 12 hour shift. Most of the role involves monitoring highly automated production lines, watching for machine faults (usually a red light or alarm), clearing simple faults, removing any defective parts if needed and resetting the machine to get it running again. There is also some computer work such as scanning products, creating labels and completing production documentation. Once you’re trained (which takes around 2–3 months), the role is fairly straightforward. The best way I can describe it is that you’re essentially babysitting automated machines for 12 hours while making sure production keeps running. It can get boring but it’s not very stressful.

The culture & progression opportunities:

This is probably the biggest downside for me personally.

The culture will depend on your team, but like many workplaces there can be gossip, rumours and cliques. Some teams seem better than others.

In terms of progression, I’ve found it to be quite competitive. I’ve been with Abbott for nearly 2 years and have applied for both a Lead Operator position and the Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship, but wasn’t successful in either. From what I’ve seen, many people apply for internal roles and there can be a lot of competition.

As a Line Operator, it feels like you reach a ceiling fairly quickly. The job itself is learned within the first few months, so unless you move into another role, there isn’t a huge amount of new learning after that.

Abbott also uses a lot of development/acting up roles, where employees carry out a role for several months before a permanent appointment is made. Some people like this approach as it gives them experience, while others find it can make progression feel slower or more uncertain.

Overall, if you’re happy being a Line Operator, it’s a good job with good pay and benefits. If your goal is to move up internally, just be aware that progression can be competitive and may take time.

Pros & Cons of the line operator role:

Pros

Good pay.
Good benefits.
Modern facility.
Stable roster.
No manufacturing experience needed.
Good first step into pharma/medical devices.
Strong GMP experience for your CV.

Cons

Rotating shifts.
Monotonous work.
Limited progression as a Line Operator.
Long 12 hour days.
Overtime requests.
Team culture varies.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, especially if you’re trying to get into manufacturing with no previous experience. It’s a good opportunity to gain GMP experience, earn a decent wage and build savings. A good stepping stone.

Personally, after nearly two years I feel I’ve learned most of what the role has to offer and I’m looking at other options. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad job—it just means I’m at a different stage in my career now.

Workforce:

I’d say the teams are well balanced. There’s a good mix of men and women, along with a wide range of ages and experience levels. Some people are just starting out in manufacturing, while others have worked in the industry for many years. There is a balance in all the areas.

Canteen:

The canteen is managed by Food Space. I would rate it quite highly. There’s a good variety of hot meals, breakfast options, sandwiches, salads and snacks. It’s subsidised so the prices are reasonable. The menu changes regularly, although after a while you do notice some meals repeating, which is probably to be expected. There are usually 3 different options for lunch with a vegetarian option always listed. Overall, I’d say it’s one of the better workplace canteens I’ve used.

Recruitment process:

This was the recruitment process I went through:

Online Application – Apply through the Abbott careers website and upload your CV.
Aptitude Test – If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to complete an online aptitude test. From what I remember, this assessed areas such as numerical reasoning, logical reasoning and problem solving.
Phone Interview – If successful in the aptitude test, you’ll have a phone interview with a Talent Acquisition representative. This is generally an initial screening call to discuss your background, availability and motivation for applying.
Face to Face Interview – If you pass the phone interview, you’ll be invited to an in-person interview with the hiring managers. Expect competency based questions about teamwork, following procedures, dealing with challenges, safety and working under pressure.
Medical & Pre employment Checks – If you’re successful at interview, you’ll complete a pre employment medical (vision, hearing, lung function, urinalysis, etc.) along with reference checks and any other required pre employment checks.
Offer & Start Date – Once everything is completed successfully, you’ll receive your start date and begin your onboarding and training.

A few notes on the application process:

Recruitment can come in waves depending on business needs, so getting rejected once doesn’t necessarily mean you wouldn’t be successful a second time. There is plenty of jobs still available for the line operator position. Abbott KK is planning on expanding more lines in every area going into 2027 and 2028.

Will be traveling to Kilkenny in the next year and am looking for pubs that have cask ales available. I have had a hard time searching for this online and have only identified one place by photos I can confirm has them. Especially interested in pubs attached to or very near hotels as we decide where to stay as well. Thank you!

Hi - Looking for a recommendation for a small builder/refurbisher who could overhaul several rooms ( bathrooms , kitchens) + doors and windows) in a terraced old house in city centre ( and who might be available ! ) , moving back after a few years away ... Thanks

Staying in KK for a few nights, any recommendations for a decent pint in around city centre

Any puns in Kilkenny have asahi on tap, been looking for it for ages

Anyone know anyone in the area that does this? All the online ads are for outside the county and with the summer months I think be money well spent

Are there any families here that could use a €120 Family Pass voucher to Castlecomer Discovery Park? I received it free with a subscription to the Irish Independent. I'm American and only travel to Ireland for a few weeks each year so I likely wouldn't use it before it expires (31/10/26). I would love to see it go to someone that could use it.

I’m looking for a film camera in Kilkenny for under 50. anyone know where I could find a good deal or even know anyone selling in this price rang. anything similar enough to a canon sure shot is what I’m looking for. Thanks in advance

Hi

I’m looking for a fairy tree- hawthorn tree. Does anyone know if there’s one close by even in Tipperary

Hi all, im interested in buying in castle oaks, the new development near Callan road/robertshill. Im wondering if anyone is currently living there or around that area, maybe Nyne park and what it's like? I've seen some mixed reviews. Thanks!

Is there any CrossFit type gyms in Kilkenny? Or any fitness classes that isn’t just standard gym training?

Any personal trainers in Kilkenny city do 6/6.30am slots? Female/30 wanting to start a fitness journey 😅😅

Switched to Dohenys and bins put out today - Any ideas what usual time they collect in city centre ? Heading away for a week later today so really dont want to leave them outside or will come back to god knows what dumped in them!