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PHOTOS National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Capstone Event is an incredible showcase of talent

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2024 National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Capstone Event is an incredible showcase of talent. Pictured in the front row are Shane Cullinane, Principal at our College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus, Helen Irwin, Hairdressing Course Director, Enda Finn, Deputy Principal at our College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus. In the back row graduates are pictured with their models.

The 2024 National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Capstone Event at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus was a showcase of Limerick’s up-and-coming hairstyling talents

The 2024 National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Capstone Event at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus
The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Capstone Event at Limerick and Clare ETB’s College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus on Monday, November 18, was a showcase of Limerick’s up-and-coming hairstyling talents. Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

The apprentice hairdressers demonstrated their unique hairstyling skills, inspired by diverse themes ranging from fantasy to gothic and vintage styles, at the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship Capstone Event with I Love Limerick’s Richard Lynch as MC.

The programme covers team leadership, hairdressing modules such as perming, curling, and cutting, and provides learners with the skills to open their own business in the future.

The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship has been developed by a consortium steering group (CSG) led by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board and has been designed to deliver a nationally-recognised standard that will be responsive to the needs of industry, through robust engagement and liaison with industry and education experts nationwide.


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Speaking of her pride in the learners at the Capstone Event, teacher Helen Irwin said, “I’m a total mammy to these girls and I’m really going to miss them, I have to say. I’m trying to keep my emotions in check, I just want to say how proud I am of all of you and that I just can’t believe how far you’ve come in three years. You’ve gone from little girls into big hairdressers. You’re amazing, I really think so.”

Each apprentice presented a model whose hairstyle reflected a personal passion or aesthetic. One of the learners, Megan Brodigan, embraced the intricate braiding styles inspired by ‘Game of Thrones’ which put Megan’s love for her craft on full display.

Speaking about her National Hairdressing Apprenticeship experience, Megan said, “I absolutely loved it. I loved the girls I did it with and Helen; she’s like another mum to us. It’s full on but you get hands-on experience, you’re in a salon, you’re not just learning in a college.”

Kinga who found her inspiration from a gothic style, putting the full scope of talents in the apprenticeship on display, expressed her love for the programme saying, “I found it very educational. The way it’s spaced out for the three years, I thought it was amazing because usually you’ll find courses that are one or two years and they’re just not enough. Here, you had enough time to actually practice and get all the knowledge.”

From modern styles to vintage era, the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship learners drew inspiration from many areas, Emma Gaffney brought the roaring 20s back to life with her look inspired by The Great Gatsby, Emma explained she began her journey in hairdressing at the age of 15 at HC2 salon in Annacotty and enjoyed her time on the apprenticeship programme at the College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus.

The event allowed learners like Emma to underscore the importance of mentorship, with Emma crediting her salon-mentor Arlene, and the help from her teacher Helen Irwin in helping her grow professionally and academically.

Pictures: Richard Lynch/ilovelimerick

Richard is a presenter, producer, songwriter and actor. He was named the Limerick Person of the Year (2011) and won an online award at the Metro Éireann Media and Multicultural Awards (2011) for promoting multi-culturalism online. Richard says that the ilovelimerick.com concept is very much a community driven project that aims to document life in Limerick. So, that in 20 years time people can look back and remember the events that were making the headlines.