WEALTH October 1, 2026 0 Comments

Why McCabes Pharmacy’s Bold Move into Kerry Could Rewrite the Rules of Local Healthcare Expansion

Ever wonder what it takes for a hometown staple to level up and join the big leagues without losing its local charm? McCabes Pharmacy just pulled off a slick move by snapping up O’Doherty’s Pharmacy in Milltown, Co Kerry—a spot that’s been the heart of its community for over half a century. Now, with this addition, McCabes isn’t just another pharmacy chain; it’s a powerhouse of 112 outlets all across Ireland, blending national reach with that rare, grassroots trust you just can’t fake. It’s like watching a seasoned family-run business plug into the big network’s resources without skipping a beat on local care—that’s savvy growth and smart investment at play. And with the O’Doherty’s team staying on board, you can bet the personal touch that’s been their signature won’t just survive—it’ll thrive. Curious how this acquisition fits into McCabes’ broader vision and what it means for communities like Milltown? Check out the full story right here. LEARN MORE

McCabes Pharmacy has acquired O’Doherty’s Pharmacy in Milltown, Co Kerry, bringing the pharmacy group’s total network to 112 outlets across Ireland.

O’Doherty’s has served the Milltown community for more than 50 years, having first opened in the mid-1950s. The pharmacy has been under its current ownership since 2003 and is led by Supervising Pharmacist Anne Sheahan Casey and Gerry Casey.

The pharmacy is the only one within a five-kilometre radius of Milltown, a rural community with a population of around 1,100, and has developed long-standing relationships with patients and families in the area.

The acquisition forms part of McCabes Pharmacy’s strategy of expanding its national footprint through investment in established community pharmacies with strong local connections.

The Milltown deal follows the acquisition of Kinvara Pharmacy in Co Galway earlier this year.

The O’Doherty’s team will remain in place as the pharmacy transitions to the McCabes brand over the coming months.

The group said the move would ensure continuity of care for patients while giving staff access to the wider operational infrastructure and clinical resources of McCabes and parent company PHX Ireland Group.

Brian O’Keeffe, managing director of McCabes Pharmacy, said the company was “delighted to welcome Anne, Gerry and the wider team to the business”.

“Our purpose is to help people live healthier lives through accessible, high-quality healthcare delivered within their local communities,” O’Keeffe said.

“As we continue to grow our retail footprint across Ireland, our priority is to ensure continuity of care and service for patients, while providing our teams with the scale, infrastructure and resources of the wider McCabes Pharmacy and PHX Ireland Group.”

He added that the group would look to introduce new products, health screening services and digital solutions to improve the customer experience.

Sheahan Casey said joining McCabes represented “an important new chapter” for the pharmacy and its team.

“We have built strong relationships with patients and the wider Milltown community over many years, and it was important to us that this local focus and commitment to patient care will continue,” she said.

Brian O’Keeffe, Ann Sheahan Casey and Gerry Casey

“Becoming part of McCabes Pharmacy provides our team with the support and resources of a larger pharmacy group and allows us to better serve and support the health and wellbeing of our local community.”

The acquisition adds to McCabes’ growing presence across Ireland, combining the resources of a national pharmacy group with the local relationships established by community pharmacies.

Photo: Brian O’Keeffe and the O’Doherty’s Pharmacy team