Meet the Team

Meet the Team

Head Of European Association
Denis Maguire


Denis Maguire, Principal of the Cork Academy and the Head Examiner for the Associate of British & International Hairdressing Schools has become the Hair and Barber Council’s new Ambassador in Ireland, Greece, Poland, and Spain.

The independently-run hairdressing college under the personal supervision of Mr. Denis Maguire, who is a fellow of the Association of British and International Hair Schools and Hairdressers. Denis received his Master Craftsman Diploma from the Irish Hairdressing Federation and is one of the only hairdressers in Ireland to receive a Fellowship of British Hairdressing award.


Denis would now like to pass on his vast knowledge of hairdressing to any student who would like to take up hairdressing as a career. With the help of expert staff, the College has put together a program to help you learn the art of hairdressing over a period of 8 months by day or 12 months by night. The Cork Academy of Hairdressing is recognized as one of Ireland’s premier Hair Colleges with a proven ability to turn out expert hairdressers.

The College enjoys a high reputation as a high-class hairdressing training centre and this is reflected in the high success rate of its students who have gone on to work as top-class hair stylists at home and abroad. The College attempts to secure employment for its successful students and boasts a 95% success rate in achieving this.


We believe a satisfied and successful student is the best advertisement for the College and we will do everything in our power to achieve this. So do not waste the chance to be part of our success. We are the only College in Ireland to qualify for membership to the Association of British and International Hair Colleges. Guaranteeing recognized Diplomas to each successful student.

The Examining authority is the Association of British and Intentional Hair Colleges. The College is recognized by all leading examination boards and issues its own Diplomas and Certificates.
Since 1993 all Hairdressers and Trainees must have recognized Certificates to comply with The Hairdressing Council and EU Regulations.


We are determined that you should succeed!

President of the European Association
Ivan Marks


Ivan Marks introduced a new concept to hairdressing in 1958 and revolutionised a new way of cutting.

When Ivan wanted something different than the straight cuts of Vidal Sassoon, he began experimenting with Vidal’s cuts by using the scissor tips, which is a technique that is frequently used today.

Ivan Marks cutting method ‘Point Cutting’ used worldwide today, introduces movement, freedom, and texture to hair.

Ivan joined the Association in 1960 and has been an active member ever since. He became a lecturer in 1965 in multiple colleges, including the London College of Fashion and the Waterman School of Hairdressing in London.

He also helped Colin Lewis win the world hairdressing cup in Barcelona in 1971.

Artistic Director Jim Murphy

Jim Murphy Artistic Director and Founder of The Hair Academy and Global Hairdressing School. Jim returned home after training in Vidal Sassoon to take up the position of Manager in charge of training, the general running, and education for the staff in a fashionable Dublin salon at the time.

30 years ago Jim entered the Irish Hairdressing Federation competitions and after winning the cut and colour competition, the cocktail evening style, and coming second in the day style section Jim was asked to join the Irish Hairdressing Federation, artistic team. On a memorable first night, Jim took part in an educational demonstration session in the Gresham Hotel with the Irish artistic team.

On stage, that night was Frank Hession – artistic Director at the time, Robert Chambers, Paul Cummins, and Michael O’Reilly all excellent hairdressers who all went on to greater things in the Hairdressing Industry. Jim was to open his first salon specialising in Avant-Garde cutting and colouring. After a number of years, Jim had opened 4 salons and continued to demonstrate and educate all over the country with the Irish Hairdressing Federation artistic team finally becoming Artistic Director.

Jim has demonstrated in the USA, Canada, Greece, The Philippines, and all over Ireland. Jim also represented Ireland at a number of Events before becoming Chairman of the Irish Hairdressing Registration Board responsible for registering and training and raising the general standards of Hairdressing in Ireland. He has been for 25 years raising qualifications that are recognised throughout Ireland and to this day an all Ireland qualification recognised in the industry has never been achieved.

Head Examiner and Fellow Chris Brown

Chris Brown has been a long-standing member and fellow of the European Association. He has been a Head Examiner for more than 10 years.

Administrator Sharon Cummins Hafidy

Sharon Cummins is part of the Hairdressing industry since her early teenage years with 24 years of experience in Ireland and Spain. Holding her Fellowship and Master Craftsman, she is a member of the European Association since 2018.

Sharon has been teaching since 2018 and is also Examiner and Educator for the European Association.

Sharon started her Hairdressing career in 1998 in all aspects of hair designing. She moved to Spain in 2003 where she opened a Salon with her partner.

Sharon came back to Ireland in 2018 where she started working as an educator.

Hairdressing
Educators:

  • Denis Maguire / Educator
  • Debbie O’Keeffe Crinnion / Educator
  • Sharon Cummins / Educator

Barbering
Educators:

  • Steven Folasade / Educator
  • Anne Marie Mcllgraith / Educator
  • Adil Hafidy / Educator

Examiners

  • Denis Maguire / Examiner
  • Therese O’Rourke / Examiner
  • Sharon Cummins / Examiner
  • Chris Brown / Examiner