Galway salons top of the chops as 34 businesses win at Hairdressers of the Year awards
Galway were top of the awards pile at the event
The finest professionals and businesses from across Connaught and the North were honoured on Sunday evening as the Irish Hair & Beauty Awards 2026 – Connaught & North Edition took place at the Clybaun Hotel, Galway.
Organised by Oceanic Awards, the prestigious event brought together outstanding salons, clinics, spas, beauticians, make-up artists, nail technicians and industry specialists for a night dedicated to recognising excellence within Ireland’s thriving hair and beauty sector.
Guests from across the region gathered to celebrate the achievements of businesses and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional standards of service, professionalism, innovation and commitment to their clients over the past year.
The 9th annual awards ceremony was hosted by Savannah Bergin, who guided attendees through an evening of celebration and recognition as winners were announced across a wide range of categories.
A spokesperson for Oceanic Awards said:
“The Irish Hair & Beauty Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the incredible talent that exists throughout Ireland. We would like to congratulate all of this year’s finalists and winners for their hard work, dedication and contribution to the industry. The standard of entries was exceptionally high, making the judging process extremely competitive. We are delighted to recognise those businesses and professionals who continue to raise the bar and inspire excellence within the sector.”
The event highlighted the passion, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit that drive the Irish hair and beauty industry forward, while providing an opportunity for professionals to network, celebrate success and showcase their achievements.
The 2026 winners are as follows:
Hairdressers of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Salon 11 (Loughrea)
Outstanding Achievement: Locks of Hair (Roundstone)
Winner: Allure Hair (Donegal)
Hairdressing Experience of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: RNB Hairdressing (Tuam)
Outstanding Achievement: Hair by Serena (Cavan)
Winner: Headerz Hair Studio (Ballaghaderreen)
Hairdressing Team of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Salon 2 Hairdressing (Sligo)
Outstanding Achievement: Sharron’s Hair & Beauty (Letterkenny)
Winner: Peter Mark Hairdressers (Sligo)
Beauty Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: DK Beauty (Buncrana)
Outstanding Achievement: Soul Beauty Clinic (Ballyjamesduff)
Winner: Eva’s Beauty Room (Galway)
Beauty Experience of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Third Eye Beauty (Galway)
Outstanding Achievement: Best of Beauty (Monaghan)
Winner: ilash x beauty studio (Monaghan)
Beauticians of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Sunrise Studio (Bellina)
Outstanding Achievement: Luxstyle Salon (Ardnanagh)
Winner: Sunbar (Claremorris)
Hair & Beauty Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Kellys Hair & Beauty Salon (Castlebar)
Outstanding Achievement: RNB Hairdressing (Tuam)
Winner: Crys Lopes Hair and Beauty (Tuam)
Beauty Salon of the Year – Galway
Recognised for Excellence: The Beauty Quarters (Galway City)
Outstanding Achievement: Michelle’s Skin & Beauty Clinic (Galway City)
Winner: Green Point Beauty (Galway City)
Hair Salon of the Year – Galway
Recognised for Excellence: Hair at 74 (Bohermore)
Outstanding Achievement: The Hair Company (Galway City)
Winner: Aztec Hair Co (Galway)
Hair & Beauty Salon of the Year – Galway
Recognised for Excellence: The Beauty Suite (Tuam)
Outstanding Achievement: Koztello Hair & Beauty (Knocknacarra)
Winner: Noel Maher Hair Company (Galway City)
Nail Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Dazzling Nails and Beauty (Galway)
Outstanding Achievement: Sugar & Co (Kingscourt)
Winner: Erita – Nails & Beauty Boutique (Boyle)
Nail Technician of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Gs Nails and Beauty (Monaghan)
Outstanding Achievement: Lidia’s Studio (Castlebar)
Winner: Pretty Little Nails and Beauty (Tuam)
Nail Salon Experience of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Sunrise Studio (Bellina)
Outstanding Achievement: Emma’s Nail Room (Bonniconlon)
Winner: Nail Envy (Ballina)
Colour Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Redz Hair & Beauty (Clare)
Outstanding Achievement: Empire Hairdressing (Abbeyquarter South)
Winner: Colour Republic (Athlone)
Aesthetic Clinic of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Westend Beauty & Aesthetic Clinic (Rathedmond)
Outstanding Achievement: AliciaVonBrowz Aesthetics (Claremorris)
Winner: DermAesthetics Clinic (Galway)
Skin Clinic of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Vanilla Skin And laser Clinic (Castlebar)
Outstanding Achievement: Skin Laine (Ballina)
Winner: Shelley’s Skin, Laser & Wellness (Galway)
Aesthetics Professional of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Med Aesthetics (Galway)
Outstanding Achievement: Marilux Aesthetics (Ballysadare)
Winner: Oceanskin Clinic (Oughterard)
Spa of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: VOYA Seaweed Baths (Standhill)
Outstanding Achievement: Kilronan Castle Estate & Spa (Connaught)
Winner: Cara Organic Beauty Spa at Lough Eske Castle (Donegal)
Hair & Makeup Specialist of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: B McQuinn Makeup Artistry (Galway)
Outstanding Achievement: Lornas Mobile Hairdressing (Mayo)
Winner: Miss Mercy MakeUp (Galway)
Make Up Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Aisling Leydon Make Up Academy (Sligo)
Outstanding Achievement: Hairdos (Church Hill)
Winner: Eva’s Beauty Room (Galway)
Semi / Permanent Make Up Specialist of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Pauline Cawley Beauty Clinic (Castlebar)
Outstanding Achievement: Anna Allister PMU (Monaghan)
Winner: Amy Christie Advanced Beauty (Ballyshannon)
SPMU Technician of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: The Beauty Box (Killala)
Outstanding Achievement: Derma Ink (Galway)
Winner: Eva’s Beauty Room (Galway)
Massage Specialists of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Inner Calm (Galway)
Outstanding Achievement: Love Yourself Beauty Room (Galway)
Winner: Chada Thai Therapy (Donegal)
Training Academy of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Glam Gals Beauty Salon and Training Academy (Galway City)
Outstanding Achievement: Devilash Lash and Brow Training Academy Ireland (Galway)
Winner: Georgina Price College Of Beauty Therapy (Galway)
Hair Extensions Technicians of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Trisha Kilfoyle Hairdressing (Sligo)
Outstanding Achievement: Marian Dineens Hair Studio (Magheraboy)
Winner: J’adore Hair and Beauty (Monaghan)
Hair Extensions Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Gorgeous Locks (Galway City)
Outstanding Achievement: Patrick Gildea Hairdressing (Letterkenny)
Winner: Sharon Ralph Hair Salon and Scalp Clinic (Castlebar)
Brow Experts of the Year
Winner: Amara Skin and Beauty (Swinford)
Outstanding Achievement: The Lash Lounge & Brow Studio (Sligo)
Recognised for Excellence: The Brow Movement (Cong)
Lash Experts of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Lash Inspire (Sligo)
Outstanding Achievement: Luxury Beauty Academy (Scotstown)
Winner: ilash x beauty studio (Monaghan)
Local Hair Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Kelly’s Hair & Beauty Salon (Knockaphunta)
Outstanding Achievement: Studio 94 Hairdressing (Knockranny)
Winner: Rosies Hair Salon (Roundstone)
Local Beauty Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Evalasting Beauty (Ballina)
Outstanding Achievement: Beauty Studio By Megan (Ballymagan)
Winner: Soul Beauty Clinic (Balllyjamesduff)
Voters Choice Salon of the Year
Recognised for Excellence: Hair by Serena (Cavan)
Outstanding Achievement: Crys Lopes Hair and Beauty (Tuam)
Winner: AliciaVonBrowz Aesthetics (Claremorris)