Ill wind blows them away

AS the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens: in the case of Mellerick’s Pharmacy in Fermoy, that aphorism might need to be changed to include mention of ceilings and chimneys.

Why so? Because the storms of February 12 2014 caused a chimney from No 16, Patrick Street, Fermoy, to crunch into the pharmacy in No 18, prompting the business to relocate to No 24.

It turned out to be a lucky number, as just two years ago the owners who had acquired this building made a wonderful discovery. Pulling down a lowered ceiling, buyer/owner of No 24, builder Bertie Gowen discovered a beautifully ornate vaulted pitch-pine ceiling, thought to date back to 1900 or thereabouts, which alongside some other features have been lovingly restored.

One beneficiary is Orla Mellerick of Mellericks Pharmacy, who attributes growing footfall in her Fermoy pharmacy to the impressive surroundings of the revived interior of a listed building.

”We built a beautiful pharmacy around it — one that could be anywhere in the world — New York, or Paris or London,” she says. “The sense of pride has been incredible, and the value the people of Fermoy are getting out of it. Your medical card prescription is still going to be €2.50, but you have all this remembrance of time past. It’s a real appreciation of our past, it’s been very positive.”

The building is one of the oldest in Fermoy and was the site of the old Barry’s Hardware and former Co-Op Stores, later acquired by Dairygold.

Local man Bertie Gowen bought it four years ago and it was initially earmarked for an Eason’s store. On discovery of the ceilings, Bertie says: “We knew straight away it had to be restored. It’s fabulous. “We do a lot of joinery, we’re carpenters by trade, but we would never have come across anything like this — it’s like a cathedral or a church inside it.”

Orla Mellerick’s business now occupies 4,000 square foot of this sweeping interior, but an adjoining part of the building with 5,500 sq ft at ground level is also being done up, with Gowen hoping it will be finished next year, with lift acces to upper levels, plus rear car parking. He is on the look-out for a tenant, via neighbouring estate agents Property Partners Dick Barry. With other original features, it is likely to prove an attractive base.

“It’s gorgeous now, it’s divine,” Mellerick says. “The head of Clarins Ireland and head of Lancome Ireland were down here and both were completely blown away by it. I’m thrilled with it, and the town is thrilled with it.”

What’s more, the damaged building in No 18 was also done up after the storm, and Orla’sother opticians business moved in there. Doors closing, doors re-opening, an ill wind, and all that.

Details: Property Partners Dick Barry, 025-31577