DARCY'S HAIR DRESSING CELEBRATES 35 YEARS WITH THE LAUNCH OF A NEW STATE OF THE ART SALON IN CORK

27th November 2013

Cork experienced the ‘beauty make-over’ of the year as the new state of the art Darcy’s Hair Dressing salon officially opened on Paul Street on Monday 25th November 2013. Darcy O’Neill first opened the salon in 1978 and this significant 35th anniversary combined with the newly refurbished salon and the return of Darcy’s son Frank O’Neill from London to join the creative team, marks the start of an exciting new era for Darcy’s.

Over €300,000 was invested in this major expansion and refurbishment project. The salon which first opened in 1978 has evolved through four decades always maintaining its position as one of Munster’s leading and award winning salons. In 2005 Darcys D2 opened in Ballincollig Town Centre and a total of 36 people are currently employed between the two salons.

The new salon is now double its original size and is equipped and fitted to the highest specifications. The addition of two floors in the adjoining building has increased the total floor space from 900 square feet to a total of 2000 square feet. The salon is also offering an extended menu of treatments and services, stocking the highest quality products from L'Oréal Professionnel

Frank O’Neill returned from London in September where he worked with many well-known faces including Holly Willoughby, David James and Gerri Halliwell. He started his career in hairdressing with Reds Hair Salon on Dawson Street, Dublin in 2004. He moved to London to join the Vidal Sassoon Academy in 2006 before going on to work for Toni & Guy Hairdressing on Regent Street where as Style Director he worked as part of their creative team and assisted co founder Tony Mascolo. In 2011 he joined the leading London salon Pimps & Pin-Ups, a boutique salon combining classic hairdressing with the latest styles, as Senior Creative Stylist. Frank returns to Cork with a wealth of creative and innovations ideas and skills.

Commenting at the opening owner Darcy O’Neill said, “ Over the past 35 years I have seen Cork city change significantly. The expansion of the hair salon is a significant development. It is a sign of positive growth for business in Cork and a commitment to the regeneration of this important historic area.”

Darcy O’Neill started his hairdressing career in the Morris School of Hairdressing in Piccadilly Circus, London in the 1970s. This was a hugely influential era with industry icon Vidal Sassoon starting to make a huge impact on hairdressing circles in London and later worldwide. During his four years working in London he gained valuable experience before moving to Dublin to work with The Witches Hut and Tony Rodgers on Grafton Street. Three years later Darcy was offered the opportunity to manage the newly opened Witches Hut in Cork where he spent a further three years before opening Darcy’s Hairdressing in 1978.

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