If you want the best hair experience in the country, you had better book a trip to the Shannon side…. Niall Colgan Hairdressing, Co. Limerick has been crowned ‘Salon of the Year 2013’ at the 2013 Schwarzkopf Professional Irish Hairdressing Business Awards which were held last Monday at the Aviva Stadium Dublin. The Awards, which were attended by over 450 industry professionals, are unique in that they recognise exceptional business acumen, and the most talented and committed salons in the Irish hairdressing industry. The overall title of ‘Salon of the Year’ is awarded to the salon who “not only excels in the creative side of the hairdressing industry, but shows outstanding business strategy and implementation”. Niall Colgan and his team, who are based in the Limerick Strand Hotel, fended off stiff competition from around the country including Leinster and Dublin Salon of the Year Brown Sugar and fellow Munster Salon Hype Hair from Waterford who collected four awards on the day; the joint highest number alongside Yourells of Galway. According to Michael Berggren, General Manager UK and Ireland for Schwarzkopf Professional, Niall Colgan was a deserving winner of the ‘Salon of the Year’ title, showing professionalism, a strong focus on business and a dedication to customer service. “Huge congratulations to Niall and all of the team at Niall Colgan Hairdressing who are truly deserving of the title, beating exceptional salons from all over the country. His team have shown incredible dedication to the business and their passion, drive and understanding of their customers shone through in their application.” He continued; “Over forty salons entered our awards here today and they really have reflected all that is great about the Irish hairdressing industry which has shown real resilience and innovation in the current economic climate. The professionalism that these salons have shown is a credit to the SME sector in Ireland and shows that strategic planning and a team focus in implementing the core business plan is the key to not just surviving, but excelling.” The full list of winners: National Salon of the Year – Niall Colgan Hairdressing, Limerick Munster Salon of the Year – Niall Colgan Hairdressing, Limerick Dublin and Leinster Salon of the Year – Brown Sugar, Dublin Connacht Salon of the Year – Allure, Co.Mayo Ulster Salon of the Year – Natural Hair Company, Lisburne Marketing Salon of the Year – Yourells, Galway Customer Care Award – Yourells, Galway Reception/ Front of House Award – James Nixon, Yourells, Galway Connacht Trainee of the Year – Sarah Joyce, Yourells, Galway Retail Salon of the Year – Hype Hair, Waterford Training Award – Hype Hair, Waterford Munster Trainee of the Year – Riona Linane, Hype Hair, Waterford National Trainee of the Year – Riona Linane, Hype Hair, Waterford Dublin Trainee of the Year – Chris O’Dwyer, Foundation Hair, Dublin Leinster Trainee of the Year – Michaela O’Mara, Lynda Maher Hair Salon, Carlow Website of the Year – Davey Davey, Dublin Social Responsibility Award – Sean Taaffe Hair and Beauty, Killarney and Paul Meekin Partners, Belfast Irish Tatler Readers Choice Award – Paul Meeking Parnters, Belfast Ulster Trainee of the Year – Bobby McCullough, Kevin Kahan Salon, Bangor Salon Design Award – Kevin Kahan Salon, Bangor Hall of Fame Award – Kevin Kahan Salon, Bangor