Name: Dr Barra Nevin
Location: Roscam
Occupation: Pharmacist
Favourite thing about Galway: The community spirit
Worst thing about Galway: Lack of facilities for integrating communities

Growing up, all Barra Nevin ever wanted to do was run a pharmacy. Now he has realised his dream and become a fixture of the Roscam community.

As a young boy, Athenry native Barra Nevin often asked his mother what you had to do to run a pharmacy. She obviously set him on the right path and, after completing his secondary school education at the Bish in Galway, he moved to Wales to study for a pharmacy degree and PhD at Cardiff University.

Barra was immediately enthralled with his studies and found the human body and its workings a gripping subject. He focused his doctorate on asthma and allergies and developed a drug currently in clinical trials.

On completing his studies in Cardiff, Barra received an offer of a place in a prestigious Post Doctorate programme at the McGill University in Quebec. However, he had had an affinity for home and decided to return to Ireland instead.

Barra'a dream of opening his own pharmacy was still at the forefront of his mind, so he began to work on setting up his practice in Roscam. As the fastest growing area outside of Dublin, there was an urgent need for a pharmacy to service the local residents.

Most important to Barra was making a connection with the local people and becoming involved in the community.

"People do need a sense of community and, with a local pharmacy, I think it's important that they see the same face every time they come in. With independent pharmacies, it is generally the same pharmacist that is there for a lifetime, whereas in the bigger chains you could have 20 different people coming in and out."

After returning to Roscam, Barra noticed that for such a large area with a high-density population, social and recreational facilities were not in place.

Rather than rest on his laurels, he decided to do something about it and put himself forward as a Fine Gael candidate in the City East division of the local elections.

While he narrowly missed out on a seat in the constituency, Barra received over 600 first preference votes and succeeded in raising awareness about the issues facing the Roscam area.

"I just felt it needed to be highlighted. A lot of times politicians go around door to door and its more about ‘what you can do for me?' rather than ‘what can I do to help you?' I wanted to help foster a sense of community and do my bit for the area."

Barra's current focus is on expanding the pharmacy to offer a more holistic approach to care. He has a keen interest in healthfoods and believes that people appreciate dual advice from a pharmacist and healthfood specialist.

Outside of work, Barra is involved in a number of different organisations, including the Roscam/Doughiska Parish Council, the Irish Pharmacy Union, Junior Chamber of Commerce and Galway Rotary Club.

He is also a big sports fan and is an active member and PRO of the Galway Bay Sailing Club. He dispels the notion that sailing is an activity of the elite and urges anyone with an interest in the water to give it a go.

"There is this misconception that it is only for the elite, but that is completely wrong. You don't even have to have a boat to sail with the club; you can crew on another boat and get a lot of experience that way. The sea is an asset that we have in this city and it is open to everyone. We should take advantage of it."

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