TWO hundred and seventy five cases of meningococcal meningitis and/or septicaemia treated at the Children’s Hospital Temple Street, Dublin between January 1970 and December 1986 were retrospectively reviewed. Peak incidence was in 1981 (50 cases) and these cases were reviewed in greater detail. The mortality declined from 20 per cent for the 5 year period from 1972–1976 to 2.2 per cent from 1982–1986. The overall mortality 1970–1986 was 7.3 per cent. Over 90 per cent of meningococcal infections were caused by Group B neisseria meningitidis. The disease was seen most frequently during the winter months.