Mullingar Store to feature in “Irish Store of the Year” Final

Below is a copy of what we recently sent out local media outlets announcing us reaching the final for  "Irish Store of the Year 2014" - John

A Mullingar store will feature in the final of this years  “Irish Store of the Year”. Highlighting the quality of local indigenous retailers the town has to offer at national level.

The pharmacy at Austin Friars opened just last year in one of Mullingar’s landmark medical buildings, The Old Dispensary directly behind “The Monks” statue, so this nomination is a source of great pride to everyone connected with the store, especially John Keane, Gillian Ryan, Leona Irwin and Eithne Mannering who work in it.

Local pharmacist John Keane opened Market Point Pharmacy in Patrick  Street in 2008; that store’s high quality of service was recognised in “Top 5 in Category” nominations in the same REI competition in both 2011 and 2013. In 2010 John’s brother Robert joined the team, opening Green Road Pharmacy, which recently extended its opening hours until 9pm nightly to meet customers’ developing needs. At the end of 2013 the brothers took a brave step in their decision to breathe new life into the landmark building in Austin Friars with an extensive and tasteful renovation.

All 3 stores have built their business on good old fashioned customer service and value for money while looking after the medical needs of local customers in a professional and welcoming manner. This has been recognised not only in their customers’ reactions over the last 5 years, but also through a range of objective awards from bodies including Retail Excellence Ireland (2011, 2013, & 2014), The Irish Pharmacy Awards (2013 & 2014), and Midlands Gateway Chamber of Commerce (2014).

The 2014 awards ceremony will take place in Galway on November 1st this year. Keanes Pharmacy - representing Mullingar - will find themselves head-to head against strong national and regional brands in this year’s final - Butlers Chocolate Café ( Liffey Street, Dublin), Compu B, (William Street, Galway), Garrett’s, (Castletroy, Limerick), L’Occitane En Provence, (Wicklow Street, Dublin) and Eircom Meteor,( Pavilion Shopping Centre, Swords, Dublin). Each and every one will be fighting it out for the top spot. Regardless of the eventual result, Mullingar’s Keane brothers, along with family, friends and supporters, will be flying the retail flag with pride for their home town and county on the night.

John Keane is the pharmacist owner at Austin Friars Pharmacy and can be contacted at 0868626763.