‘A MEN’S shed for millennial dads.’ That’s how Glengarriff hairdresser Ciarán ‘Kiwi’ O’Sullivan describes his latest business venture.

Called Pints & Ponytails, it’s essentially a ‘relaxed, hands-on session for dads who want to learn how to style their daughter’s hair — without the stress’.

But, Kiwi explained, with five sessions behind him and many more in the pipeline for the summer, it’s evolved into something far more meaningful.

Ciarán ‘Kiwi’ O’Sullivan gives a demo to dads.

‘From speaking to the dads after, you realise that outside from sports and family events there’s not a whole pile of offerings for them to get together. This is becoming a really positive movement — a community where dads are willing to push out of their comfort zone and learn something new that helps them feel more involved in the everyday moments with their daughters,’ said the 28-year-old.

Kiwi, who runs his own business KiwiCutz in the city, got the idea from a client of his, who saw something similar in the UK and the US.

‘A lot of my clientele in my barber shop have young kids and I thought it was a really good idea,’ he explained. With entrepreneurial skills as strong as his hair skills, he set about organising his first event in Seventy Seven on the Grand Parade in Cork city, which was a huge success.

‘We’ve had three in Cork since along with one in Killarney and one in Limerick. The plan is to go to Dublin, Galway and of course West Cork,’ he said.

‘Each hour-and-a-half class can accommodate 30 dads who get a pint on arrival and who each have their own mannequin head. They’re taught nine styles including how to do the basic ponytail, a bubble ponytail, traditional plait, a bun and half up and down style.’

He assured that there’s no French plaits or cutting!

‘The big thing is to get the basics right first. Everyone leaves with real skills for school mornings or special occasions — and  can enjoy a beverage on us while they learn. Each attendee also gets a QR code card linking to step-by-step video tutorials, making it easy to practise at home with confidence.

‘I’m 14 years in this business and I know that it doesn’t come overnight, that you have to practise,’ he said.

The classes are attracting dads of all kinds: ‘At our recent class I had a guy who won’t be a dad until the end of the summer – his child isn’t born yet. Some come in groups and some come on their own which I really admire.

‘It’s really becoming a positive movement where dads are willing to be open and to learn and that’s been really rewarding, that wholesome side to it. One woman got in touch recently to say her husband was doing their daughters’ hair for school the next day and that kind of feedback is brilliant, especially at a time when positive male role models and hands-on fatherhood are so important.’

Kiwi also made headlines when he was the official barber for golfers and caddies on the DP World Tour circuit, along with the Irish soccer team. He has also created KiwiSalt, a spray made with Achill Island Sea Salt which provides volume and texture to hair. It’s not surprising he says there’s ‘not enough hours in the day at the moment’ and that’s the way he likes it.

Corporates are also getting in touch with Kiwi to host classes for employees. ‘It’s been really remarkable that something so simple has been so popular and so fulfilling,’ he said.