Gibbs Pharmacy Celebrate 50 years of Service in Cobh

Healys Sweet Shop now Gibbs Pharmacy

A Family Legacy – helping the Community from the Top of the Hill   

Fifty years ago, Gibbs Pharmacy opened its doors for the first time on the Top of the Hill in Cobh. Founded by Harry Gibbs in 1962, the pharmacy quickly became a central part of the community and has continued to play a crucial role in the everyday lives of the locals ever since.

The 50^th Celebration will take place on Saturday 4^th February. Top of the Hill Rose, Jane O’Connor, who is going forward to represent Cobh for the Cork Rose of Tralee contest under the guidance of Claire Cullinane, will be there to give the younger customers beauty advice. At 5pm, there will be a special blessing by Father Patrick Relihan. Customers are invited to come along for free raffles (prizes presented by our Cobh Rose), refreshments and canapés between 3pm and 5.30pm.  All are welcome!

For those who remember Cobh in the late 50’s, the current premises of Gibbs Pharmacy used to be known as ‘Healy’s Sweet Shop’. When Harry senior took over, he totally refurbished the shop to suit the needs of a modern day pharmacy of the time.

Harry Gibbs was originally from Cork and his wife Maureen came from Macroom. The pair met in Macroom, where Harry worked as a druggist (this was the term used for pharmacist’s at the time). Harry went on to work with the Cork Chemical and Drug Company before deciding to open a pharmacy of his own.  When they set up business in Cobh in 1962, Maureen worked alongside Harry as she herself was a qualified chiropodist – many people in Cobh still recall her skills.

Cobh was a busy industrial town in the early 60’s with the Verlome Dock Yard booming and Irish Steel in full swing. There were three pharmacies ‘down town’ with John Wilson, Jasper Wilson’s and Jack Twomey all running successful businesses and working with the local doctors, Dr. Ledley, Dr. Meagher, Dr. Kelly and Dr. McCarthy, many of whom were located at the Top of the Hill.

There are many stories that bring to mind the early days at Gibbs Pharmacy with fond memories. Ann Gibbs told us that Harry senior was renowned for being extremely good with animals. “Old Mr. Gibbs was particular attentive to the local farmers at the back of the island,” noted Ann, “At the time, druggists were permitted to treat animals to a limited degree. However, this did cause a few family problems! At my sister-in-law’s wedding in the late 1960’s, the wedding car was delayed because her Dad had to attend to a sick cow!” Ann also recalls how the pharmacy was a real part of everyday life for the community. “At the time there were no public health nurses, mothers had no way of measuring the growth of their infants. However, we had an old fashioned weighing scale with a Moses basket perched on the top. I would love to know how many Cobh babies sat on that throne!”  

The Gibbs family settled into life in Cobh with their children, Declan, Evelyn and Harry junior, and the pharmacy integrated with community life. There were no medical cards or free doctor visits in the early days. As time moved on, Harry’s son Declan decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree (BSc) from UCD, going on to complete his training as a pharmacist at the College of Pharmacy in Shrewsbury Rd. With the advent of the medical card scheme in the early 1970’s, Declan took over the running of the pharmacy.

With the advent of the medical card system there was a radical change in the requirements of a pharmacy. This was when Declan took over the full running of the pharmacy. There was increased business, yet there also a necessity to dispense a huge range of pharmaceutical products that required additional space. The pharmacy was once again refurbished to meet this growing need. (It is interesting to note that Harry Gibbs senior purchased Jasper Wilson’s apothecary cabinet when he closed his shop – still in use at Gibbs Pharmacy today!)

Sadly, Declan Gibbs passed away in 2002 and Ann is now running the business on her own with the support of her sons, Declan and Harry. Ann looks to the future positively and recently refurbished the premises yet again. Gibbs Pharmacy continues to be a pivotal component in the local community’s at the Top of the Hill’s wellbeing – and as always, caring and compassionate.