The Hairy Barber - A bespoke experience with a warm and welcoming atmosphere

Whether it's a simple trim or the latest style, The Hairy Barber offers customers a bespoke experience with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, located in Tullamore's town centre.

The barbershop was opened by Jolene Brennan more than a decade ago and has gone from strength to strength throughout that period becoming one of the main hubs for haircuts for those within Offaly's capital and beyond.

Originally from Ballydaly, Jolene's route to becoming a barber after finishing school in Tullamore was far from traditional but she has always maintained a love for the profession since her teenage years.

"I headed off to the UK for a few years after school. The first job that got back to me was KFC and I was a vegetarian so the last thing I wanted to do was work in a chicken place but I took it. I worked my way up and did quite well but I always loved doing hair."

This passion stemmed from her first experience in the hair industry at the age of 14. She reflected: "It was just a little part-time Saturday job as my aunt worked in the business, I was only a junior washing hair and doing bits like that, it was great to see all the people coming in and chatting to them, I just absolutely fell in love with it."

Upon returning to Ireland, Jolene decided to pursue the profession. "I didn't really want to do women's hair, so I said I'd try barbering. I started in Tommy Clarke's Barbershop, did seven years there and then I moved on to training barbers which was lovely, it was something that I really enjoyed."

This experience shaped Jolene's approach as a barber. "I think chatting and caring about the clients is massive to me, not just having them in and out as quickly as possible. The haircut isn't just a haircut, it means more than that."

She explained: "Many people look forward to the chat with their barber and a bit of banter and craic especially if they have been feeling down. You can really affect people in that half-hour slot. It isn't just about making people look good but making them feel good also and then equally you feel better as a result so it creates a nice little circle of positivity."

Jolene insisted that becoming a barber wasn't without its challenges, particularly being a woman in a male-dominated industry. "When I first started out especially and it still happens, the men only wanted a man to cut their hair. I did find that part of it quite hard at the beginning."

However, she says that attitudes towards gender have advanced in the industry since she started. "It has definitely changed because I've seen it from the beginning. It was more male-dominated but now lads come in and they are happy to have any of the girls cut their hair. I have three girls working in the shop. I've trained all three of them from scratch and I'm really proud of their progress."

Jolene opened her own shop, The Hairy Barber, a little over a decade ago which she described as "a little dream." She says that the most rewarding part of running the business isn't money or awards but fulfillment from helping people.

The Tullamore native cites cutting the hair of children with additional needs, who were originally reluctant to get in the chair at an early age, and seeing them become comfortable with the experience over time as some of the most rewarding moments she's had.

Jolene is adamant that creating a good atmosphere is vital which is quickly apparent when entering The Hairy Barber. "It's hugely important, especially these days as things are harder for a lot of people, many are having a tough time or have bills coming out of their ears.

I think my barbers are quality, we're like a little family here. It can be a very fun place to get your haircut but you also have to read the people in the chair. Not everybody wants to have the craic either so it's paramount to cater to what people want when they come to the barbers so they can have the best experience for them."

When asked about possible expansion plans for the future, Jolene assured:

"I'm probably different than most people, honestly, I've no interest in having loads of shops. I just want to have this little shop and harness all my focus and energy into looking after the people of Tullamore and I'm so happy to do that. I want to do it without having big fat prices as well because it's all about that loyal customer base."

The Hairy Barber on O'Carroll Street is open from 9am to 5:30pm from Monday to Thursday, 9am to 6:30pm on Fridays and 7:30am to 4:30pm on Saturdays.

Bookings can be made online or by phone at 085 115 5333 with walk-ins also welcome for an exceptional barber experience in the heart of Tullamore.

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