HIV is more prevalent in the prison population compared to the general population. Prison inmates are at increased risk of blood-borne infections. Considerable stigma has been documented amongst inmates with HIV infection. In collaboration with the schools, healthcare facilities, prison authorities and inmate Irish Red Cross groups in Wheatfield, Cloverhill and Mountjoy prisons, the GUIDE clinic developed a campaign for raising awareness of HIV, educating inmates about HIV and tackling HIV stigma. Following this campaign, large scale point-of-care testing for HIV was offered over a short period. In total 741 inmates were screened for HIV. One inmate tested positive for HIV. We experienced a large number of invalid test results, requiring formal laboratory serum testing, and a small number of false positive results. Large scale point-of-care testing in the Irish prison setting is acceptable and achievable.