Discover The Winners At The IHF Hairdressing Championships 

A hat trick of wins sees one stylist entering the Hall of Fame 

by AMANDA | INFORM

Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, and Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty

Martha Galvin, owner and stylist at Allure Hair & Beauty in County Mayo, is the IHF Hairdresser of the Year for the third consecutive year. 

Her hat trick of wins earns her a place in the IHF Hall of Fame – and she also scooped trophies in four other categories, including the Creative Colour trophy. 

“What Martha has accomplished is nothing short of extraordinary. To win and enter the Hall of Fame is a huge honour, and it reflects her unwavering commitment to excellence,” said IHF president, Lisa Eccles. “Martha’s passion, creativity and hard work over the years have earned her this well-deserved recognition, and she continues to set the bar for others in the industry.”

It was a good night also for Vanilla Hair Design in Carlow, as Laurna McGrath won IHF Irish Trainee Hairdresser of the Year, and Samantha Byrne scooped both Hair Up and Fantasy titles. Menspire’s Patrick Browne was also celebrating, as he took home first and second place in the Barber Technique category. 

2025 IHF STAR Team

The 2025 IHF STAR Team was also revealed, welcoming Emma Killeen (Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo), Jade Hennessy (Albert’s Hair Design, Wexford), Ellie Purdy (Brown Sugar, Dublin), Danielle O’Sullivan (Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow) and Caitlin Smith (Hair Creations, Dublin). 

Three IHF Icon Award recipients were also celebrated – Cats Hair Salon’s Ian Brady, Reds Hair Salon’s Carolann McGuirk and an honorary award for the IHF’s first president, the late Robert Byrne. 

Hosted at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny, the event showcases exceptional work from leading stylists across the country, judged by a panel of national and international experts.  

IHF president Lisa Eccles and IHF Icon Award recipient Ian Brady, Cats Hair Salon

And the winners are…

IHF Irish Hairdresser of the Year (sponsored by Wella Professionals)

Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

IHF Irish Trainee Hairdresser of the Year (sponsored by ALFAPARF Milano Professional)

Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow  

Newcomer of the Year – Trainee (sponsored by Davines) 

1st Rhiannon Black, Brown Sugar, Dublin 

2nd Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

3rd Rebecca Donegan, Olivia’s Hair Studio, Wicklow 

Creative Colour – Trainee (sponsored by Image Skillnet) 

1st Tiegan Neary, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

2nd Sara Gilhooly, Our Salon by Derek & Fergal, Meath 

2nd (Joint) Danielle O’Sullivan, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

3rd Ella Clarke, House of Colour, Dublin 

Trend Upstyle – Trainee 

1st Tiegan Neary, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

2nd Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

2nd (Joint) Leah Caroll Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

3rd Mia Massey, Ashleigh Kelly Hairdressing, Dublin  

Fantasy – Trainee (sponsored by EasyDry) 

1st Danielle O’Sullivan, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

2nd Emma Killeen, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

3rd Laurna McGrath, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

Creative Colour – Senior (sponsored by L’Oréal Professionnel Paris) 

1st Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

2nd Nadine Brady, La Mode, Dublin 

3rd Anthony McNally, Ross Adams, Dublin 

Hair Up – Senior (sponsored by Phorest) 

1st Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

2nd Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

3rd Amanda Ryan, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

Fantasy – Senior (sponsored by Schwarzkopf Professional) 

1st Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

2nd Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

3rd Lisa McGuiness, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

Barber Technique – Specialist (sponsored by Remi) 

1st Patrick Browne, Menspire, Dublin 

2nd Patrick Browne, Menspire, Dublin 

3rd Sandra Keegan, The Academy Barber, Kildare 

Textured – Specialist (sponsored by The Tattooed Accountant) 

1st Saoirse McDermott, The Hair Space, Galway 

2nd Samantha Byrne, Vanilla Hair Design, Carlow 

3rd Patrick Browne, Menspire, Dublin 

Salon Social – Specialist (sponsored by LanaiPro) 

1st Caitlin McCarthy, Salon Anu, Dublin 

2nd Mark Sherwood, Zeba Hairdressing, Dublin 

3rd Aishling Moriarty, Rustiq, Kilkenny 

Extensions – Specialist (sponsored by Hairtalk) 

1st Emily Whelan, MD Hair, Carlow 

2nd Kelly Murray, Cut Social, Dublin 

3rd Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo 

3rd (Joint) Martha Galvin, Allure Hair & Beauty, Mayo