Barber, Westbury, Corbally

FROM an early age, Limerick man Andrew Glennon was always creative, whether it was doodling and sketching characters on his homework in the classroom as a young fella or as an adult, writing for television shows on RTE.

Now, after a time away working in the barber trade, he has put years of his creative work skills into action by returning to his native city to open his own business in Corbally, where he is known as ‘Andy the Barber’.

“I trained with Hugh Campbell in the late eighties and then I opened ‘Blond on Blonde’, (a nod to Dylan fans), which was a hair salon and art gallery. I then moved to Dublin and worked in some barbers. According to the owner, The General’s (Martin Cahill) henchmen used to come in but the owner wouldn’t point them out so I had to be very careful not to mess anyone’s hair up,” Andy quipped.

The 41-year old has been barbering for the past 23-years and has built up a wealth of experience and a vast knowledge of the business.

“I specialise and pride myself on doing exactly what the customer wants. I listen to what they say. If someone comes into me and asks for a specific haircut that’s exactly what they get,” Andy said.

Situated in the suburban surroundings of Westbury in Corbally, Andy’s barbers shop is steadily building up trade among men, both young and old, who are living and working in the area.

It’s clear from watching him in action inside his barbershop that Andy loves what he does. As a steady stream of clients walk in and out of the premises, the banter goes from the soccer match the previous night to the state of the country to the economy-and don’t forget ‘the weather’.

Andy “loves meeting the public” and having a chat over a haircut, and if someone doesn’t feel like conversation, that’s fine too.

Aside from creating the latest hairstyles for his customers, Andy is “big into the Arts”.

He ended up getting a job in RTE writing and performing on a comedy television show called ‘THE END’ with Barry Murphy from ‘Apres Match’-fame for a couple of years.

“It was presented by Sean Moncrieff, who’s now on Newstalk 106FM. Working in television is basically sitting around for a long time. You wait for three hours and then a guy points a camera at you and it’s all over in a matter of minute.”

According to Andy, “the whole family are very creative”, with his younger brother’s band having just been signed to a French record label.

“His album was produced by Hugh Cornwall, the singer with The Stranglers. My Dad is more sporty though, he used to coach the Irish squash team.”

After living and working in Dublin, Andy travelled to London and worked in many barbershops, building up more and more knowledge of the trade over a five-year period.

“I was learning different techniques before returning to Limerick when I began working for Knights Barbers and Barberello’s, a family-run business in Raheen.

It’s no surprise that Andy ended up working in an industry where one has to be creative in order to excel ell at the trade, which is ever changing because of celebrities’ latest looks.

“I applied to get into Art College a couple of times but I never had the points. So I opened an art gallery/barbers in Limerick (Blond on Blonde). I used to let the lads in Art College hang their work on the walls. We even used to have open-mic sessions there,” Andy remembered.

To get to Andy’s barber shop in Westbury, Corbally, simply turn right at the main entrance gates of the estate opposite Reilly’s Bar. Follow the road around and the barber’s is located beside Westbury Stores shop.

“I’m well-priced too. All dry cuts are €10, which is nice with a recession looming,” Andy said.

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