Maitland’s in Collooney provides a modern barber service with a vintage backdrop

A BARBER shop in Collooney is enjoying a growing reputation with a customer base coming from near and far.

Maitland’s Barber Shop - owned and operated by Collooney resident Rory Maitland - is based on Collooney’s Main Street having opened in the late 2010s.

Rory brought a wealth of experience with him to the area as he revealed that one of Sligo’s bestknown barbers, Alfie Mahon, served as his mentor.

“I started off in Sligo town in Alfie’s. I used to pass his barber shop every day and I had this idea in my head that it was a career I might be interested in. I took a chance and went into him one morning, told him it was a career I was interested in if he was willing to train me and thanks to his kindness in taking the time to teach me it got me on the road to where I am today.”

Rory found that this was indeed his calling in life and that one day he would like to branch out on his own and it was upon moving to Collooney he saw a gap in the market for a barber in an area that had seen a big population growth in the last 15 years.

“I’ve lived in Collooney since 2017. I felt it was an area needing a barber shop with modern experience, I saw an opening in the market and after a bit of research on what premises were available I found a place that suited. Collooney is a place that has grown a lot in the last couple of decades so I felt it was a case of the right place at the right time to give it a go but like any new business I couldn’t rest on my laurels, I had to earn my reputation before I would be as busy as I am today but thankfully it all just steadily grew over time.”

Rory has received plenty of local business but his reputation has grown far beyond the town.

“The furthest distance someone travels to me is from Galway twice a month.

“There is a perception that when you open in a place like Collooney you want to keep your clientele fairly local, but I never seen it like that, it is a mark of a place when people want to travel to you and I have a healthy mix of people who are from within the area and people who travel to Collooney just to get their haircut.”

Maitland’s Barber Shop premises has a retro look, but it’s approach is very modern with a door open to all ages and not bound to a clientele consisting entirely of one gender.

“Barber shops should be open for everyone. My own place has a bit of vintage look so some people might think it isn’t the place for them, but whether you’re two or 82, everyone is welcome in Maitland’s Barber Shop.

“We are unisex as well, it isn’t just for men, anyone looking for a short haircut that falls within the skills of a standard barber, we are happy to provide it.”

Maitland’s Barbers isn’t just popular for the routine haircut, it has also gained a reputation as a go-to barbershop for clients looking to go the extra mile for a big occasion.

“We do a hot towel shave which is a classic American style.

“We also have a beard cleaning and trimming service which is very popular.

“It is something different, it isn’t the sort of thing you’d do every time you come in, but any time we have someone coming in getting ready for a wedding or any sort of big event, a lot of them tend to go for that.”

Rory’s business has flourished in a few short years and he has thanked his many customers for their continued support in making his business a success.

“The barbershop can’t exist without the clients and we are lucky to work with a lot of interesting, unique and supportive people who come through the door and I can’t thank them enough for coming into us as often as they do.”

Maitland’s Barber Shop can be contacted by calling 087 2259068. They are open from Wednesday to Friday from 10am until 7pm and on Saturday from 10am to 5.45pm.