Barry’s Pharmacy in Tubbercurry’s Main Street celebrates 60 years of serving the south Sligo community
A PHARMACY in Tubbercurry is celebrating 60 years in business.
Barry’s Pharmacy opened in 1962 on Main Street and has served many generations of south Sligo residents and families.
Today the business is managed by Ryan Annett, working with a small but dedicated team to tend to medical needs of people across a large local region. He said: “We are in the middle of town so we feel the sense of community here as you look after everyone, among them people who have been coming here since we opened 60 years ago. We are based in Tubbercurry but cover a huge area with people from Charlestown, Bunninadden, Cloonacool and more.
“You build up a relationship and look after people, you treat them well and that’s the only way those relationships build. You see these people grow, bring their kids into us and then you see them grow up so you are dealing with people all through their lives.”
Pharmacies found themselves under unique pressure during the pandemic and for Barry’s it was no different who retained their loyal customer base while going above and beyond to meet their needs.
“We were undoubtedly under pressure. Overnight the numbers of prescriptions went up, people were sick, people couldn’t leave the house because they were isolating so we quickly had to start making deliveries. Covering such a big catchment, it wasn’t like we only had to go five minutes up the road, we had 15-20 minute drives in some cases but we knuckled down and people were understanding that things were going to take longer.” He continued: “People stuck with us and told us they appreciated what we did for them when they were stuck at home with it
“We also made the move to provide vaccines because the nearest place they had otherwise was Sligo so that was something we were happy to do for the community as it made a big difference for a lot of people, especially those who don’t have access to transport.”
A new challenge is on the horizon in the form of energy costs, but having overcome 60 years of whatever ups and downs the world has thrown at them, Barry’s are confident that their vital role to a very loyal community will see them through it.
“There’s not much you can do about costs but we have a solid customer base who are very loyal to us and I would be confident we can ride out whatever new challenge is on the horizon. There is no reason we can’t look forward to more milestones, people will always need their local pharmacy and we have a great team here with vast experience and are part of the community themselves.”