SLEEPING PATTERNS

THE SLEEPING PATTERNS AT THE CAHILL MAY ROBERTS SITE IN LIMERICK

Sleeping Patterns murals by the Church of Best Ever. This particular mural no longer exists but the second one of the pair is still to be seen on the wall of Abbey House where the Tina Hills legal practice is based.

It's a striking image, with the bold colours and geometric shapes contrasting with the architecture of the buildings. The composition and the figures' poses create a sense of intimacy and introspection, which is quite fitting given the title "Sleeping Patterns".

It's a shame it's no longer there, but it's great that I photographed it in 2017.

Cahill May Roberts traces its roots to 1902, when Sam Roberts moved to Ireland from England to expand May Roberts. PC Cahill Ltd was set up in 1936 and the two businesses merged in 1972. The business was acquired in 1995 by Gehe, a company related to Celesio


Cahill May Roberts: A History in Irish Pharmaceutical Distribution
Cahill May Roberts (CMR) held a prominent position in the Irish pharmaceutical wholesale landscape for over a century. Though its physical presence in Limerick may be gone, its legacy lives on as a significant part of Ireland's pharmaceutical history.

Early Days and Merger:

1902: The story begins with Sam Roberts, who brought the May Roberts name to Ireland from England, establishing a foothold in the pharmaceutical distribution sector.
1936: PC Cahill Ltd enters the scene, marking the rise of another player in the Irish pharmaceutical market.
1972: May Roberts and PC Cahill Ltd merge, forming Cahill May Roberts and solidifying their combined strength in the industry. This strategic move likely expanded their reach and resources, allowing them to better serve pharmacies across Ireland.

Growth and Acquisition:

1995: German pharmaceutical giant Gehe, related to Celesio, acquires CMR. This acquisition likely brought significant investment and potential for expansion to CMR.
Bank Place, Limerick: CMR operated a significant distribution centre at Bank Place in Limerick. This facility played a vital role in their distribution network, serving pharmacies in the region.

Uniphar Acquisition and Beyond:

2012: Irish pharmaceutical wholesaler Uniphar acquires CMR for €50 million. This marked a significant consolidation in the Irish pharmaceutical wholesale market. Uniphar, a cooperative of community pharmacists, likely saw this acquisition as a way to strengthen its position in the market and expand its service offerings.
Post-Acquisition: Following the acquisition, CMR's wholesale and pre-wholesale businesses were integrated into Uniphar. The Doc Morris retail pharmacy chain (previously Unicare), which was owned by CMR's parent company Celesio, was not included in the deal.

Challenges and Legacy:

Pricing Pressures: Like many in the pharmaceutical sector, CMR faced challenges due to price cuts imposed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). This ongoing pressure likely contributed to the company's eventual acquisition.

Lasting Impact: Despite its acquisition, CMR's legacy in the Irish pharmaceutical industry remains. It played a crucial role in the evolution of pharmaceutical distribution in Ireland, serving pharmacies and patients for over a century.

Finding Information: Information about CMR online is limited. This is often the case with companies that have been acquired or merged, especially those without a strong online presence during their operational years.