Celebrating 40 years of Talking Heads Design

It was December 1984 when an ambitious 23-year-old businesswoman named Ann Walsh first opened Talking Heads Hair Design for business at its original site in the old St Clare's Convent building on Main Street, Cavan Town.

The first of its kind in Cavan, the salon offered a sleek, modern 'high street' aesthetic exemplified by the striking hand-painted window design by Jane McCormick. The ‘Talking Heads’ emblem went on to become an iconic landmark for many years in the town.

The salon itself boasted a contemporary Art Deco design reflecting Ann’s passion to bring a trailblazing edge and modernist approach to hairdressing. The salon was an immediate success and, within its incredible first few weeks of business, people were regularly seen queuing on the street outside the building in the hope of getting an appointment!

Ann and her team enjoyed 16 amazing years in the convent building until the opportunity arose to purchase her own premises at what is now the salon’s current location on Thomas Ashe St. The move was a courageous one and proved to be a tremendous success with Ann's loyal clientele happily following her to the new site.

During her 40 years in business, Ann has seen many changes in the town and has dealt with all the challenges of running an independent business while never losing the passion she holds for her work.

Her reputation as both a renowned stylist and master colour expert was sealed in 2017 when she completed a masters degree in the field. Ann is proud to have given employment opportunities to many young hairdressers over the years, several of whom have gone on to open their own salons and she remembers them all with great fondness.

However there is one stylist who has come to embody all that is special about the Talking Heads Hair Design team and that is the wonderfully talented Irene Johnston. Irene has been a constant in the salon for over three decades and her professionalism and work ethic have made her an invaluable part of its success. Her care for her clients and work colleagues has been second to none. Both Irene and Ann remain passionate about their work together and continue to produce incredible results for their loyal clients on a daily basis.

The other long standing and invaluable member of the Talking Heads team is Annette Maguire Hudson who, having initially trained with Ann, moved to work in the UK before returning to Ireland to settle down. Ann was delighted when Annette returned to the salon and complete the dream team! She too is a fabulously gifted stylist with a personality that is loved by her colleagues and clients alike.

Ann would like to thank both Irene and Annette for their many years of valued friendship, hard work and support as well as enormous thanks and gratitude to all her ‘salon family’ - clients, staff and friends.

“They helped make Talking Heads the joyous and loving place that it is. Our customers’ loyalty has meant the world to me over the past four decades, and to think we have been through so much together and can still put a smile on people’s faces when they walk through the door is an absolute dream come true.

"The salon has always been more about passion than business to me but I can honestly say it wouldn’t have been anything like the success it has been without the love, support and friendship of all our staff and clients.”

Ann would love to see as many as possible call to the salon to celebrate the milestone.

“Drop in, say hi, have a cup of tea and help celebrate 40 fabulous years of Talking Heads Hair Design!”