Destination beauty: Boots launches flagship store in Cork city following €4.4m investment 

Joanne McNally and Davina Devine were at hand as Boots launched its first-ever destination store in Ireland, on Cork’s Half Moon Street in recent days.

The opening of the redesigned store follows a €4.4 million investment.

At the launch, Joanne and Davina shared stories of their own beauty loves and routines with guests, recalling their early introductions to beauty and skincare.

Joanne even gave a nod back to the days when she would pick up a tinted Labello or Chapstick at Boots in England as a youngster, before they were a major feature here.

“How things have changed,” said Joanne.

And that, they certainly have.

The flagship facility aims to be a one-stop-shop for all things beauty and is stocking a wide range of global beauty brands and cult favourites including MAC, Too Faced, Benefit, Fenty, Milk, R.E.M., Urban Decay, Kylie Cosmetics, Huda Beauty, Sol de Janeiro, and many more.

Luxury offerings include YSL, Chanel, Armani, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Clarins, and Liz Earle.

There are also accessible brands like Bubbl and trusted names like La Roche Posay as well as trending K-Beauty lines such as Beauty of Joseon.

The store also features the No7 Pro Derm Scan, a skin analysis tool.

Haircare brands include Kerastase, Quai, Redken, Matrix, Pureology, Philip Kingsley, Shu Uemura, L’Oréal Pro, and Bumble and Bumble.

“I’m convinced that the new Boots store in Cork was built specifically for me,” said Joanne,

“It’s like they raided my beauty wishlist and put it all in one glorious location.

“Whether you’re a make-up pro or just looking to replace that mascara you’ve had since 2010 – this place has it all,” she added.

The comedian said that on a day-to-day basis, she doesn’t wear a lot of make-up, but she is “big into skincare”.

“I could be putting serums and creams on myself all day,” she told The Echo.

“I’m a divil for skincare so shops like this set my dopamine off.

“Coming in here was like going to the circus as a child.”

It’s been a busy year for Joanne who is currently writing a book and is working on content for her new tour which starts in spring 2025.

In addition, she is doing two weekly podcasts with Vogue Williams and has recently finished a BBC Sounds podcast ‘Did Furbies spy on us’.

For Joanne, stand-up comedy remains her key passion though and she’s looking forward to getting back on tour.

Stephen Watkins, Managing Director of Boots Ireland said he was “incredibly proud” to bring the first-ever best of Boots destination store to Cork.

“Our investment in our Half Moon Street store is about providing customers in Cork and beyond with an unmatched selection of iconic beauty, skincare, and haircare brands, all in one extraordinary space.

“We know our customers appreciate choice and quality, and we’re thrilled to offer such a comprehensive range right in the heart of the city.

“I can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience all that this unique store has to offer.”

Beyond beauty, the new Boots store aims to reimagine the Boots healthcare experience.

The redesigned upstairs area provides a comprehensive range of healthcare services including the state-of-the-art Boots Hearingcare World of Hearing, designed to deliver the highest standard of audiological care.

Watkins said the Half Moon Street store is “not only our first destination store in Ireland, but it’s also the pinnacle of the Boots retail experience across the UK and Ireland.

“We are delighted to bring this elevated offering to our Cork customers.”