END OF AN ERA FOR BARBERS
“IF ever there was an end of an era, this is it.”
The words of Julia Kierans, as she prepares to close the doors on Paddy Kierans’ barber shop after more than 100 years in business.
The barber shop first opened a few doors down the North Quay from its present location in 1908, but rising rents have forced Julia to call time on this part of local history.
“It is very sad, and we’ve had grown men coming through the door very upset when they heard the news,” says Julia, who is married to the late Paddy Kierans’ son, also Paddy.
“We’ve had so many great and loyal customers throughout the century, with men who’ve brought their sons in, and who are now bringing their grandsons in. It’s a huge blow to them and to the town.”
The original barber shop was opened by Peter ‘Pixer’ Kierans in 1908 in 9 North Quay, and was simply three chairs, and the promise of a cut, hot shave and an hour’s peace and quiet!
“Don’t ask me where the nickname Pixer came from, it’s just something they always did in Drogheda,” says Julia, with a wistful smile.
“They were very different times, and the lads would come in to escape the wives and knew they could have banter in a bit of privacy for an hour or so.”
When the business eventually outgrew the premises, the shop moved location in the early 1970s, with Pixer’s son Paddy now taking the reins.
“They were both very alike – real characters that everyone loved – and they both had a genuine passion for greyhounds which they would race in Dublin and Dundalk,” she recalls.
“The heartbreaking thing is we will be closing the same date as the last time Paddy ever worked here – October 27th, so it will be an extra-sad day.”
Many will recall Paddy as a legendary champion for people with cystic fibrosis who passed away in 2006. A fundraising walk in his memory is held every year, and the CF house in Windmill Road was also named in his honour.
Julia says her heart also breaks for the elderly ladies and gentlemen who have been coming to the business for decades, with Isobel’s salon having also started with the move 45 years ago.
“We are one of the only barber shops on the flat, which means anyone could just walk off the street without climbing stairs,” she points out.
“There was always a great bit of banter, and I know I will miss that too, as well as the customers.”
The decision to close has come after significant rent increases in the past few years.
“We are sorry to go, but it would be too much to try and move into somewhere else at this stage, so it’s time to say thank you to all our customers and staff over the decades, and goodbye.”