Gents,

Most modern craftsmen are first generation but a lucky few can claim second generation and there is the rarity of being third generation. William Finnegan started a tradition of barbering that stands at odds with time because his son and granddaughter continue the craft, and in the process uncovered a legendary barbershop in Dublin, Ireland.

The Finnegan barbering craft began at William’s shop in Inchicore, a suburb of Dublin. At the young age of 10, Liam started sweeping, cleaning and running errands at the shop. The barbershop was a mix of working class gentlemen with a laid back atmosphere and story telling. The common topic was the gentlemanly sport of boxing. William, an enthusiast, was enthralled with the combative yet graceful sport and coached for a period. According to Liam his father, “loved to talk boxing in shop. Back then boxing and barbering went hand in hand.” Not only did the working class frequent the shop but also the great Irish playwright Brendan Behan. The shop was a mix of society, culture and life that created fertile soil for the Finnegan tradition to take root.

The relationship between William and Liam was not only centered on barbering skills but many life lessons stemmed from the craft. One piece of advice that was passed on from father to son is, “As a barber you’d always have some money in your pocket, and always to be scrupulously honest in your dealings with everybody.” It is with that philosophy and training that Liam set off on a barbering journey.

After apprenticing for six years in Dublin he moved to London and continued learning the craft. The shops he worked in were from various time periods; the Victorian style had wooden chairs and rounded sinks in Angel Court, on Throgmorton Street and the Queen Anne style at the famous Savoy Hotel. According to Liam, “I liked that these shops were so very different to what was back home in Ireland…these shops were not so much nostalgic back then, ‘Old’ was not that popular then.” During this period customers came from all walks of life, bankers, ordinary folk, Steve McQueen, Rolling Stones and many more notables. Eventually he came home to Dublin and worked at his father’s shop.

If you happen to be in Dublin and walk along Westmoreland Street you just might miss the world famous Waldorf Barbershop and Shaving Saloon. The entrance to the shop is located on the street level but upon entering the historical building, built in 1894, you will find a stairway that goes below the street to a portal to 1946.

The original shop opened in 1929 in the Westin Hotel by Mr. Thomas J. O’Byrne, commonly known as “Tommy Two Guns”. He worked as a journeyman barber aboard Cunard Ocean Steamers in the 1910’s and 20’s and traveled to the United States were he was influenced by the modern decor of New York barbershops. In 1946 Tommy Two Guns opened a second barbershop about one block north in the Adare building. The shop was modern and reminiscent of what he experienced in New York. Essentially, New York barbering was transported to the Emerald Isle.

In 1969 the Waldorf located in the Westin building closed its doors and the Waldorf Adare, as it was called, continued the craft of barbering. The times were changing and so were the hairstyles. Soon after, the shop was transformed into a Spanish Style Café.

Liam was working at his father’s shop when the opportunity to purchase the legendary Waldorf came calling. Liam and his daughter Linda obtained the shop and started the process of uncovering a legend from the grave of linoleum, “The first thing we did when we took over the reins at the Waldorf was to bring it back to exactly the way it was when it first opened in March 1946. There had been some modifications to the shop, back when it was just an old barbershop, and not a vintage shop. But all the changes were just on the surface.” Fortunately most of the modifications done in the 60’s/70’s were only superficial and under the linoleum the beautiful original terrazzo floor waited to be unveiled!

The Waldorf is not a nostalgic themed barbershop because it remains in its original form and contains many barbering artifacts. According to Liam, “There is a barber’s coat hanging in the backroom that is 100 years old. Two of the chairs date from 1908. Let me just say, when I’m at the Waldorf Barbershop, there are always about a half dozen things 100 years old or so within 20 feet of me.” Having the original sinks, fixtures and décor keeps the shop authentic. The backroom serves as a museum of sorts for barbering instruments and memorabilia.

The Waldorf offers world class grooming for men by highly skilled barbers. Liam, a barbering legend, believes the barber chair is an equalizer of ego for the famous and commoner, “Yes, we see them come in to the shop they wait just like everyone else. After all where else would they go? And we treat them just like every other customer. The other way we look at that is that every normal customer gets the movie star treatment. The only time a famous person came in outside of normal hours was when Frank Sinatra was playing Dublin back in ‘86 if I remember correctly. The shop opened a half hour early to accommodate him getting an edge up.”

Not only is Liam continuing the barbering tradition but also Linda, his beautiful daughter, is following in her father and grandfather’s footsteps. She started working in her grandfather’s shop when she was 12 years old.  According to Liam,“She is the other part of the team, who along with Mr. H, drive the business forward. An excellent, word class and competition-winning barber. She brings the old styles to a new level of accuracy.” If you are fortunate to get your hair cut by Liam his approach is open and masterfully honed, “Every one is different – every cut is different, sometimes I don’t know how I’ve done the haircut till I think about it after. But I’ll do whatever is required to get the hair to sit just right.” Liam masterfully feels the cut without giving it too much thought and the craft is like breathing, natural.

The Waldorf is a testament to the tradition of barbering and is propelled by the Finnegan’s and the talented staff of barbers who are influencing barbers world-wide. According to Liam, “People of all ages want to look sharper and more groomed now. This applies especially to younger people. There is a huge interest in the kind of work we do, and a real interest and appreciation for the craft of traditional barbering. For me personally, I am very proud to be a barber. It is a great craft to work at. It wasn’t always seen as such. I believe my legacy will be having been a part of the reappreciation of this old craft.” The Waldorf barbershop, created by Tommy Two Guns has been in continuous business for 84 years, the Waldorf represents the golden age of barbering. Much like William’s shop, the Waldorf is a mix of society, culture and life with roots that are spreading beyond the Finnegan family and Ireland.

Waldorf Barbershop and Shaving Saloon  www.facebook.com/Waldorf.Barbershop

Mr. M

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LYB!

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