Our Team
Lisa Mc Keever -White - BSc.( Hons), MCOptom. - Optometrist
Lisa, a native of County Armagh, graduated with an Honours degree in Optometry from City University, London in 1991. After a Pre-Reg year with Dollond and Aitchison (now Boots Opticians), she qualified as an Optometrist in 1992. The first ten years of her career were spent in the North East of England, mainly working at the Eye Clinic—a pioneering Contact Lens practice in Newcastle upon Tyne.
She moved back to Ireland in 2001 to join our Sligo Practice. She has now been living and working in Sligo for over 20 years, longer than she has lived anywhere else, and absolutely loves it!
Lisa has a special interest in Contact Lenses, Diabetes, and the Ageing Eye.
Rhona Guckian, BSc., MCOptom, ABOC. - Optometrist
Rhona, originally from Sligo, earned her Optometry degree from City University in London. She gained experience in Moorfields' contact lens department, private practice in London, and through volunteer work in Jamaica, Uganda, and The Gambia, before returning to Sligo to join her family's business.
She is available in both Sligo and Tubbercurry practices.
Observing the changes in our lifestyles and the corresponding impact on our vision and eye health, she has expanded her expertise in dry eye treatment to better assist her clients in the upcoming year. Additionally, she specializes in fitting scleral contact lenses, offering an effective remedy for specific ocular surface conditions like keratoconus and dry eye.
Catherine Brennan, BSc., MCOptom. - Optometrist
Catherine graduated with an honours degree from university of Ulster, Coleraine in 2005. She qualified as an optometrist in 2006 following her pre-registration year in private practice in London where she worked in Harley street and North London. She gained experience working in many different types of practice, in the UK and Ireland, before joining the practice in 2013.
Catherine has a keen interest in sport and enjoys spending her free time with her two children Sarah and Amy.
Catherine has a special interest in myopia control, contact lenses and post cataract eye assessment.
Tara Quirke Tancred, BSc., MCOptom. - Optometrist
Tara, a native of Sligo, Trained in Bradford uk and worked for many years in England before returning to Sligo. She has worked in Deirdre Cooke opticians for 15 years and we were delighted that she chose to join our team.
She is currently undertaking the Certificate in Dry eye Management from the BCLA and has a special interested in Childrens vision and myopia control.
Rufina Mc Dermott - Practice Manager
Rufina, a native of Doocastle, Ballymote has over 30 years experience working in the optical industry. Rufina is well known for being able to pick a perfect frame to suit not just your face but your personality.
Over her many years she has gained a wealth of knowledge in lens materials, lens designs, lens treatments and coatings as well as frame materials and fitting. As the area of progressive lens design is contantly changing Rufina is the best person to ask advise on the best option for you.
Louise O Dowd - Optical Assistant and Lab Technician
Louise joined the team at Mulreanys in April 2018, started formal training with the Association of British Dispensing Opticians just before the lockdown in 2020 and completed the Optical Assistant course in August 2020.
She is has completed training in Dry eyes solutions and treatments and is responsible for the operation of the glazing lab on site.
In her spare time Louise loves spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Evelyn Kennedy - Optical assistant
Evelyn has over 5 years experience in optics and is always available to help you choose your new frames. She can also advise you on the best lenses and lean coatings.
Evelyn has been part of the team in Tubbercurry since 2016 after many years experience in customer service all over the world. She decided she likes the west of Ireland best of all.
A little on our history
Mulreanys pharmacy and Opticians was established around 1935 by Michael J. Mulreany MPSI, FAOI. It was located on Wine Street in Sligo, across the road from Lyons Department store. The optical suite was above the pharmacy. Eye examination and spectacle dispensing were the main activities but Mr Mulreany also fitted prosthesis.
Geraldine Mulreany MPSI FAOI, his daughter, took over the running of the pharmacy, in 1964, together with her husband Thomas P. Guckian BSc., MPSI.
In 1975 the optical practice moved from its Wine Street location to consulting rooms at The Mall where there was greater space and Geraldine could keep an eye on her children. She started fitting contact lenses in 1979. In 1983 it moved back to Sligo town centre but this time above the new relocated Mulreanys Pharmacy in the old Cafe Cairo buildings further along Wine Street. The street level reception you see today was first opened next to the pharmacy in 1995 and in 1997 the running of the practice was taken over by Rhona Guckian BSc. MCOptom., grandaughter of the founder.
2004 saw the establishment of Mulreany Guckian Optometrists in Tubbercurry now in Humbert St., beside Teach Laighne.
Rufina Mc Dermott who is the practice manager in Sligo celebrated 30 years with the practice in May 2014.
