Laois pharmacist who resat Leaving Cert fulfills dream of opening own chemist

In a story that gives hope to anyone who didn't get the Leaving Cert results they needed, a Laois pharmacist has shown how alternate routes can work to achieve dreams.

Audrey Kingston from Castletown has wanted to be a pharmacist owning her own chemist ever since she began a part-time job as a teenager in O'Rourke's chemist in Mountrath in the 1980s. 

Two years ago that dream came true when she opened Audrey's Chemist in the centre of Mountrath town. 

"I came from a family of seven, there was not enough money for university. At the time you needed 600 points and there were only 50 places to study in Ireland. I thought that points equalled intelligence and I'm not that brainy, so I just enjoyed my time in school in the Brigidine Convent and I played sport.

"After my leaving cert I interviewed for Trinity College and they suggested a pharmacy technician course, it wasn't even on the CEO list. I flew through that and then did a sales and marketing course.

"Back then pharmacies were very male dominated, and it was considered that you had to be a pharmacist to own a chemist, now they can be run by business managers," she said.

While working, Audrey still felt she wanted to be a pharmacist, so she joined Griffith College and resat the Leaving Cert in biology and chemistry, studying at night and then getting the As she needed. 

"Then I got a place in the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, I spent four years there, graduating when I was 29. I got advice from other people in the field and one told me to apply to do a year's experience in Guy's Hospital in London. I wanted to do a six month split between Guy's and retail because I loved retail, there were only two places, its very coveted, but I got one. That was what I had set my sights on, what I always wanted," she said.

Audrey then came home to Laois and spent many years working as a pharmacist in Lloyd's Pharmacy and Chemco in Portlaoise. She also married Kevin Flanagan from Borris-in-Ossory and they had two children, now teens. She also "took a backseat" and worked part-time for some years after her son was diagnosed with Autism, to put her focus into his care.

In December 2021, Audrey spotted the derelict shop in Mountrath town centre and saw her opportunity.  

"I decided to rent it and do it up. It had been empty for 13 or 14 years and fallen derelict. It was an eyesore in the town. There was a tree growing inside it. There were no floors or stairs," she said.

She chose to go independent rather than join a pharmacy franchise, and got hands on for the renovation and interior decor of the shop. Inside it has salvaged stained glass, funky signs, plants and wallpapered sections. 

"I didn't want to be told what way to do it, or put up plastic signs. Most of the things in the shop are repurposed as it is very important to me to be eco friendly. I sourced a lot of stuff from secondhand online sites. I designed my own logo. I didn't want a clinical white interior, I wanted it to reflect the country town its in, to be a hub of the town. We employed all local tradesmen.

"It was a huge investment, both personal, financial and mental. Rental prices in Mountrath are like Portlaoise. I don't feel the weight of it though. I have great support from my husband and my kids. It doesn't feel like work. I'm very comfortable in my job," Audrey said.

She said that having a child with Autism has educated her about neurodivergence, which in turn enriches her understanding and advice for customers.

She availed of the Laois County Council shopfront grant to install a new timber facade.

"We had to do it backwards to meet the grant deadline, long before the inside was ready, people kept asking when we were opening.”

Opening it up two years ago was a huge day. 

"The first day was fantastic, it felt nearly like my wedding day, the amount of cards, it was such a gorgeous reception, it felt like I was really coming home, I know an awful lot of people here. I felt very welcomed from the minute I took over the premises, I felt the community was very much behind us," she said.

Audrey celebrated her second year in business on Friday, September 6, with balloons and special offers, with customers coming in to congratulate her and even give her gifts, including little Sadie Cutler (below).

Sadie's nana is customer Mary Dunne.

"Audrey is a lovely girl, with lovely staff, they are always there to help you out, and even open up if you need something," she said.

Sadie Cutler, who turns three this September, giving pharmacist Audrey Kingston a 2nd anniversary gift.

Business is brisk she said.

"It's always busy, it's great. I employ three local staff. There is another pharmacy in Mountrath and we support each other, there always were two pharmacies in the town.  Business is definitely improving in the town, thanks to the development forum and the BloomHQ hub, and even the tidy towns. There's a lot of work going on behind the scenes, Mountrath has a lot to offer. It's nice to be part of the business community," Audrey said.

"I just want to say a big thank you to everyone. I am very happy to see new customers come in all the time," she added.