Back to results

Sean Taaffe Academy by Aisling Madigan Hosts Six Week Introduction to Hairdressing Course for Down Syndrome Kerry Branch

Share

Fourteen girls from the Kerry Down Syndrome branch have just completed an introduction to hairdressing course hosted and sponsored by the Sean Taaffe Academy by Aisling Madigan in Killarney.

Titled, '6 Week Hair Madness Course', it is believed to be the only course of its kind in the country, and ran every Tuesday from 16th of April to 28th of May. The students all learned about shampooing and conditioning hair, blow-drying techniques, GHD curls, up-styling and what it’s like working in a salon including cleaning the trolleys and organising the rollers! The course also included an evening on how to apply make-up and nail painting with Sean Taaffe’s resident MUA. The response to the course has been overwhelming and plans are underway to organise a similar course in the autumn.

The students on the course were Mary Flynn from Castleisland, Janet O’Donoghue, Katie Gleason, Martian McCarthy, Martian Healy, Breda Healy and Maura Murphy all from Killarney, Grace Murray from Farranfore, Sharon O Sullivan from Milltown, Theresa McGuigan and Orla Murphy from Kenmare; Jessica Power from Abbeyfeale, Labhaoise O Connor from Tralee and Amy Taaffe from Killorglin. The course was given by Aisling Madigan, the co-owner/director of the Sean Taaffe Academy, and Diana Horgan. There was no fee for the course as it was completely sponsored by the academy.

Commenting on the course, Aisling Madigan said,

I was talking to Patricia Griffin, the organiser of the Down Syndrome Group, and she said that the parents of the girls were absolutely delighted with the course. The Down Syndrome Group are always looking for something different and when the Sean Taaffe Academy took the initiative to run this course for them, it highlighted to other employers that anything is possible. Ultimately, it’s their ability, not their disability that really counts and all the girls were amazing and really surprised me with what they can do if given the chance. As far we know nothing like this has ever been done in Kerry and maybe even Ireland, so it was an absolute pleasure to be part of it.

Aisling Madigan is co-founder, director and head tutor at the academy. She qualified in 2002 and has been with the Sean Taaffe Group since 2006. She has excelled in her career as a hairdresser and quickly moved up the ranks from being a stylist to a style director.

The Sean Taaffe Hair & Beauty Group was established as a one man operation in Killorglin in 1989 and today has state of the art salons in Killorglin and Killarney and in the heart of Tralee town. The Sean Taaffe Group employs 42 dedicated and highly trained professionals over its seven businesses throughout Kerry. Download the Sean Taaffe App from iTunes - or visit www.seantaaffe.com.

For more information telephone the Academy on 064 66 22513

Above Image:
Back Row L-R: Diana Horgan, Maura Murphy, Martina McCarthy, Katie Gleason, Mary Flynn, Grace Murray, Sharon o Sullivan, Martina Healy.
Front Row L-R: Orla Murphy, Jessica Power, Janet O' Donoghue, Breda Healy, Labhaoise O Connor Teresa McGuigan.
Front: Aisling Madigan