I recently took the plunge and got my first tattoo, done by the lovely Niamh Coughlan.

Getting a tattoo had been on my mind for a long time. I've always been interested in learning about new styles, chatting to people who have tattoos and knew that inevitably, one day I'd get inked. When I finally had a bit of a lightbulb moment in terms of what I'd like to get tattooed, style and placement were two easy decisions. I've always adored the minimalist style of tattoos and was looking to get a rocket inked on the side of my wrist. I follow a plethora of tattoo artists on Instagram, but something about the quirky, feminist vibe of Dublin based artist, Niamh Coughlan, drew me to contact her. It was a dreary Tuesday morning on the day I had the appointment booked but when I arrived in Spilled Ink, the former tattoo studio that Niamh worked in, she couldn't have greeted me with a warmer welcome. Any nerves I had were instantly alleviated as Niamh was patient and accommodating when it came to the design and placement and just had the best vibe about her. To be honest, I didn't even really notice getting tattooed as she chatted away while working...plus she was playing Fleetwood Mac, which really made me feel at ease. Niamh does a range of different tattoos but has quite the portfolio of feminist focused ones... and they're deadly! Chatting about her style to me in an email, she says:

"When I started tattooing I always said that I wanted to only do American traditional tattoos but I actually do a mix of everything. It can go from something really bold and colourful to something really minimal and dainty! I really enjoy doing both. As long as I get to tattoo I don’t mind what style I do."

Her career has gone from strength to strength since beginning as an apprentice almost four years ago in Spilled Ink, aged 21. Niamh is now moving to a studio in Dublin 2, Dinky Ink, and it's a change she feels positive about:

"I’m very excited about the move and to be working along side another female artist. It will just be the two of us in the shop and then there is space for guest artists to come every month."

With a girl power attitude, a love for Fleetwood Mac and bucketloads of talent, there's no stopping this girlo.