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.
Hair by Martha Galvin
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
