Stylists and industry veterans awarded at IHF Championships 2026 in Kilkenny

The Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) Championships 2026 took place at Lyrath Estate in Kilkenny on 11 October, with the event seeing a range of stylists awarded for their work and ongoing committment to the industry.

The evening featured a reception for past presidents of the industry body. Led by current president Mark O’Keeffe, it was attended by well-known names such as Lisa Eccles, Kevin Cahill, Frank O’Keeffe, Greg Clarke, Eoin Wright and David Murray, as well as Irish Hairdressing Council president Fiona Gainfort and vice-president Melissa Hayward.

Eoin Wright and David Murray both recieved an IHF Icon Award 2026,  while the new IHF Salon Legacy Award was won by Aidan Fitzgerald. 

Allure Hair & Beauty in Co Mayo was a big winner on the night as the salon’s Teigan Neary won Irish Hairdresser of the Year and Misha Dmytriiev was named Irish Trainee Hairdresser of the Year.

Meanwhile, Allure Hair & Beauty owner Martha Galvin was presented with the Hall of Fame Award, having won Irish Hairdresser of the Year three times.

Other winners on the night included Amanda Hogan from Ross Adams in Dublin, who won the Fantasy Award, while Darren Luby from Kida Hair & Co. in Cork won the Extensions Specialist Award.

The Barber Full Fashion Award was won by Ciara Haide from The Academy Barber in Kildare. She also won the Barber Classic Specialist Award. Colette Brocklebank from Salon Anu in Dublin took the honours in the Salon Social Specialist category.