It is not the long-overdue haircut, but rather the human contact that elicits tears of joy in a homeless man visiting Joseph’s Hair Salon in Glasheen, Cork City. The reflection staring back from the mirror is unrecognisable. His beaming smile is telling.
The satisfied customer is one of hundreds who have benefitted from the kindness of Joe Byrne and his staff at Joseph’s Hair Salon over the years. Joe is visibly emotional as he talks about plans to open the doors of his salon to the homeless one last time on December 3.
It’s a tradition that he and his supportive husband, Darren Kilkenny, have been embracing for the last 14 years. As Joe prepares to close his salon for health reasons on December 31, the couple reflect on their time helping others.
Darren reminisced about one moment that remains etched in their minds.
“I was helping with the shampooing. I was doing a man’s hair who started to get very emotional. He was living on the streets. He was embarrassed about the condition of his hair and apologising a lot about it.
“After I had finished drying his hair he turned to me and said ‘that’s the first human touch I’ve had in so long. You have no idea what that means’.
“He was just there to get his hair cut and yet there was this huge impact on his self-confidence. He headed out with sandwiches and boxes of chocolates and was like a new man.”
Joe added: “The fact that someone touched him, and spoke to him, that’s a huge thing. I’ve also had certain people coming to me who are in a bad way mentally.
“A man came to us who was living in a doorway. He was happy for the time but it was hard sending him back out on the street, knowing there was nothing else we could do for him.
“A couple who were living in their car came to us to have their hair done. We paid for them to stay in a B&B for the weekend just so they could have a break.”
Children’s requests are often the most heart-wrenching.
“A child who was nine years old came up to us to say that his mum was wasn’t with him,” Darren recalled.
“It was really important to him that she got a present like everybody else.
“He asked us if we could help him so we put together a bag of gifts for him. He was so delighted to have something to give his mum for Christmas.”
Joe and Darren’s experiences have taught them to savour and appreciate life.
“We have cut the hair of people with addictions, only to hear they have overdosed or passed away shortly afterwards,” Joe told the .
“One woman was clean and pregnant but you could see that mentally she was very disturbed. She got her colour done and was so grateful.
“With some, you don’t ever hear about the rest of their story or how things turned out for them. They come into your life and go.
“Then there are the ones who have kept in touch over the years. A woman who used to come to us sends us a Christmas card every year with a donation to spend on someone in need.”
Some of the cases are particularly heartbreaking but Darren casts his mind back to one heartwarming story.
“A customer tipped very generously one day after getting a full head of highlights.
“She said, ‘you don’t remember me, do you?’ As soon as she mentioned her name, it all came flooding back.
The exchange between the pair is one Darren and Joe will always remember.
“She said ‘you brought me back’. You showed me that there is goodness out there.” She was able to move on and get a job.
“I have a couple of women who came to me when they were struggling who are now my regulars. They are doing so well that I often forget they went through such an awful lot.”
Joe and Darren’s voluntary work has a strong emphasis on the welfare of children.
“We started doing the back-to-school stuff two years ago,” Joe explained.
“We had school bags, biros, markers, copies, lunchboxes, anything that kids needed for going back to school. We look after the communion children every year too.
“My family didn’t exactly have a lot when I was growing up so I know what it’s like to struggle as a child. We are adamant that this is not a charity. Going by the grace of God, this could be any of us tomorrow.”
People from all walks of life have reached out to Joe.
Donations are now being accepted for Joe’s upcoming Christmas party.
The couple are appealing for donations of items like pyjamas, cosmetics, and vouchers to gift to clients in need.
Flannery’s Bar have come on board to serve hot food, with magician Gerard Kearney providing entertainment for kids.
Joe’s clients over the years have included service users of Edel House which provides accommodation to homeless women and their families.
He also caters for clients of Cork Penny Dinners in Cork City, a charity providing hot meals to those in need.
