The Five Best Barbers Newry

barbers newry

Here we break down the five best barbers in Newry City Town center, check it out and tell us all the reasons you disagree!

Barbigerous Barbers

barbigerous barbers newry
Barbigerous Barbers Newry

Don’t let the name confuse you! Actually, the name is pretty confusing but that doesn’t matter. This is a great barbers to get your hair sorted before you head out on the tear in Newry. Many young men have been complimented on their great haircuts (but probably not by their fathers) that they got in Barbigerous.

Located in Bridge Street Newry it’s a great place to go if you live in the Bridge Street area. You can find their website here: barbigerousbarbers.co.uk And you can check out their Facebook page image if you’re in need of a good laugh.  

Camlough Barbers

Camlough Barbers Shop
Camlough Barbers Shop

Does what it says on the tin! If you live in the Camlough area then this is the place for you to get the bop chopped and maybe get some craic while you’re at it! Camlough Barbers is a self confessed old school barber shop that keeps the tradition of an old school traditional barbers shop. 

These guys are the original protectors of the fade and offer quality precision barbering, not to be sniffed at. Get down to the Main Street in Camlough and sort your head out now!

Chop Shop Barbers Newry

Chop shops used to be places where unethical gentlemen broke down stolen cars to make money from the parts. But now it’s time to forget all that because the Chop Shop Barbers Newry give great haircuts and there’s no car parts in sight, and that’s a fact!

Known for their cheerful staff and treating the younger customers very well (including lollies for the well behaved), this is a great place to go get your haircut. Located at 7 Saint Mary’s Street Newry, why not get yourself down there and sort your head out son.

Gerry’s Barber Shop

Gerry’s Barbers Newry

Gerry’s barber shop is one of the oldest barber shops in Newry, opening shortly after the beginning of time. In fact it opened as soon as the first haircut was required by a man. That’s some serious tradition. 

Gerry’s has a five out of five rating on facebook and that speaks for itself. It must be a great wee place to get your head fixed up. 

Located across from the world famous Newry City Town Hall at 1a Kildare Street Newry it’s a great place to get your hair cut in Newry City Town centre.

Mastercuts Barbers 

Mastercuts Barbers Newry
Mastercuts Barbers Newry

Mastercuts isn’t just a name, they are literally masters of the cut. And not just one cut, but as many cuts are required to make the necessary repairs to your head. Located across the road from the best bar in Newry (The Bridge Bar) it’s the perfect place to get yourself looking sharp before a drink in the pub or court appearance (after too many drinks in the pub).

Get some amazing business advice from Conor while you get your hair cut and you can sort your life out while you get your head sorted out. This time next year you’ll be a millionaire and follow the instructions you receive while you get yourself looking good (and if you win the lottery as well). 

Reasonably priced and a great place to have craic with other patrons, this stop comes recommended by Newry Journal!

Singing Lessons Are More Than Worth It

singing lessons

One of the greatest of the simple pleasures in life is singing, and here in Ireland we have a long and great tradition of the ‘session’. 

A cultural phenomenon where local people aggregate in a pub, house or local hall to enjoy music and fun together.

The session serves many functions with the main one being the enjoyment of performing and listening to music.

But what happens if you don’t know how to play an instrument or sing? Or what if you have just started to learn but you have no confidence to do it in public? Well session to the rescue! 

One function of the session is to provide a space for people who are not very good at singing and playing to get used to doing it in public and practicing.

So in an interesting and fun way the session is  a practice session as well as a public performance.  

Depending on who is running the session and how serious the players are, the session will provide a greater or more limited opportunity for those on the learning journey to get involved.

Some sessions will be much more serious than others and if the players are being paid then there may be no opportunity for learners to get involved at all.

So if you live in an area that doesn’t have a welcoming session what then? The answer might be singing lessons. The joy of singing is truly one of the most wonderful pleasures we can engage in.

And if someone is really great at singing then there can be a lot of wonderful compliments that come from singing as well. Which is just fantastic if you’re the one who is doing the singing and getting all of the positive attention. 

So you might be living in Ireland and be looking for some really great singing lessons Belfast and if you are then the advice is to go for it. While it might take a little time and effort, and you might be very nervous about eventually performing in public it will still be more than worth it to give it a go. 

After all life is never as long as we might want it to be and regrets are never something we like thinking about as we lie in bed trying to welcome sleep. 

Even though I myself have had a few moments when I publicly made mistakes in my singing and playing there is no doubt that the times I have performed for people in public have enriched my life tremendously. 

Likewise watching family members perform in public, no matter the quality of the performance, has always been enjoyable and has given me some memories that I will never forget and always cherish, till the end of my days.  

So if you are considering entering the world of public performance then take my advice and get doing it. The sooner the better because you can start making those memories with family and friends now, rather than later. Your life will be richer and more fulfilled for the experience. Trust me, I’ve done it and so can you!

Irish Lucky Charms – Why and How

Irish Lucky Charms

There are many lucky charms and symbols that are related to the Irish and are considered lucky. Many of these Irish lucky charms have historical significance, and many are simply based on myth, legend, or folk tales. Here’s a good way to get an idea of the mythical and cultural history of the Irish and their luck (and also have a good laugh): If you have never seen the movie ‘Darby O Gill and The Little People’ – you need to sit down and watch it to get sucked in to the magic and tales of Irish folklore and fairies.. and of course the luckiest battle of wit you will ever see!

Any true believer in Irish Folklore will inform you that catching a leprechaun fairy (leprechauns are members of the Fairy Folk) will bring good luck. If you can hold on to him tight enough, and technically hold him hostage for long enough, the leprechaun will grant you three wishes in exchange for his freedom. The mischievous little green man is also well known to hide his pot of gold at the end of rainbows, so if you’re lucky enough to get to the end of the rainbow, finders keepers.. eh?.

History of Irish Good Luck Charms

According to the book “The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures,” by John and Caitlin Matthews, the legend of the leprachaun can be traced back to eighth-century tales of water spirits called “luchorpán,” meaning small body, according to John and Caitlin Matthews book the legend eventually evolved into a mischievous household fairy said to appear in cellars, play tricks on people, and drink heavily. Like any good Irish man or woman, right? Although a mascot of Ireland and supposed bringer of luck in the form of gold and wishes, the leprechaun is not the only symbol or charm in Irish tradition.

Four Leafed clover

Four-leaf clovers are a rare find, and were used as magical charms by Celtic priests who believed the little gem would protect them against evil spirits. The Celts believed that four-leaf clovers would allow them to be able to see mischievous fairies, and dodge their shenanigans, which were viewed as unlucky. And you would understand why if you had experienced the little menaces as many an Irish man has – just ask Darby O’Gill! They are to this day still believed to have magical powers including luck, hope, love, and faith. Four-leaf clovers are incredibly rare, which is one of the things that leads to them being seen as so lucky.

A Lucky Penny

As long as you have a penny in your pocket you are never broke! The idea of a lucky penny is “a small sum given back ‘for luck’ to the purchaser or payer by the person who receives money in a bargain or other transaction,”. In It is still a tradition to some Irish people to give a luck penny in some instances like buying a new home, or your granny will always pop a lucky penny in the new purse she buys you for Christmas. Not so nice when she puts one in the mix of her yummy fudge and forgets to tell you! Giving a Luck Penny originates back to an old Irish tradition originally associated with the buying and selling of farm animals. After buyer and seller agree their deal, it is sealed by each spitting into the palm of their hands, and closed with a lovely firm handshake.

Irish Lucky Penny
An Irish Lucky Penny is an Example of Traditional Irish Lucky Charms

Now, the seller must immediately give back the buyer a gift of a sum of money for “Good Luck”. This is an important ritual because failure to give back a Luck Penny could bring ill fortune to them both. Traditionally, (and you couldn’t break tradition now, could you?) both buyer and seller then head to the local pub where the “Lucky Penny” is used to buy the first round of celebratory drinks for them both.

In the days when a penny had a lot more value, the “Luck Penny” was just that, a penny. These days the “Luck Penny” gift is more of a token than of any real monetary value. Nevertheless, the tradition of referring to this gift of cash as a “Luck Penny” remains.

Horseshoe

Horseshoe charms are one of the hugely popular good luck charms popular throughout Ireland. Again, there’s a fairy link here – horseshoes were made of iron, which fairies cannot stand, so it was important for warding off their mischief. There’s another legend about Saint Dunstan, a blacksmith who was ordered by the devil to shoe his horse. Instead, he nailed the shoe to the devil’s foot only removing it after the devil promised to stay away from any home with a horseshoe. Hence, displaying a horseshoe in the house is considered to be lucky for warding off evil.

Irish Good Luck Charm Horse Shoe
Irish Lucky Horseshoe Lucky Charm

Luck of the Irish

‘Irish luck’ might seem like a strangely pervasive term in light of a nation that has experienced a devastating potato famine, generations of English oppression, and a history of relentless rain. Nonetheless, Ireland is imagined by many as a nation brimming with lucky gold coins and shamrock charms.

The phrase, ‘luck of the Irish’ is commonly thought to mean “extreme good fortune.” However, according to Edward T. O’Donnell, an Associate Professor of History at Holy Cross College and author of “1001 Things Everyone Should Know About Irish American History”, the term has not an Irish origin but in fact an American one.

During the gold and silver rush ears in the 19th century, some of the Irish miners (or of Irish American descent) made great fortunes. Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the development of the expression ‘luck of the Irish’. Of course, it carried with it a certain tone of sarcasm, with an undertone of the idea that, only by sheer luck, and not brain power, could these eejits succeed.

Many suggest the phrase stuck around in part because of the note of irony attached to it, considering how actually, the Irish have actually been pretty unlucky throughout history – from the ruthless pillaging of the Vikings, to families pulled apart by emigration, death and famine, and today’s prevailing discrimination against redheads. But despite this, and partially fueled by the fact that thee Irish have suffered their fair share of ill fate, they have developed a dark sense of humour.

Needless to say, Ireland’s folklore is embellished with luck, even if its factual history is not. Ireland is a luscious and welcoming country full of cosy pubs, friendly faces, beautifully haunting music and gorgeous moors of emerald green.

Irish Lucky Charms

With an incredible heritage of which to be proud, and a global significance of which to be proud – it seems that the Irish are a little lucky after all. And that is most definitely worth a toast and a singsong over a pint of Guinness on St Patrick’s Day!

So in the words of the Fairy King according to Darby O Gill himself;

 ‘Tis more than your wish was. Nayther you nor anyone who sits at your table, through all your life, will ever want a bite to ate or a sup to drink, nor yet a silver shilling to cheer him on his way. Good luck to all here and goodbye!”

Famous Irish actress Valene Kane The Fall is well known for her love of lucky charms as well!

Leprechaun Good Luck Charm


Some Irish people still see the leprechaun as a good luck charm. Leprechauns are not real, but they do come from popular Irish folklore. These small people were the shoemakers who took what they made from making shoes and put them in a pot at the end of a rainbow.

People often times look for leprechauns to try and get them to give away a piece of gold, but also because leprechauns are supposed to be good luck!

Old Bill at the Door

Boris Johnston Cocaine

Now Boris was starting to warm to his task
He considered his team, and who he might ask –
First, scores to be settled, he’d ring Donald Tusk
To tell him he stinks like the wild deer musk –
That back-stabbing Gove, who betrayed him last time
He’d make Brexit chief and post him off to the Rhine
The poisoned chalice he now would imbibe
And quickly discover he’d no place to hide.

Fatigued from his labours, Bojo suggested a lay
To Carly, but surely it wasn’t his day
‘Get off me, you hobo, and out of my flat
I’d sooner do anything other than that!’
From a nearby apartment, Tom Penn heard her call
And contacted Old Bill – who appeared in the hall.
Hello! Hello! Hello! said Old Bill to Bojo
When she tells you to leave, then you just gotta go!

Now the future Prime Minister started at that
And took a quick glance around her luxury flat ..
Cripes! Jolly Hockey Sticks! Don’t you know who I am?
If I cared to I could post you to far-off Siam!!
But Carly was keen to avoid this disgrace
So she put the Met Officer back in his place
Bojo she banished to sleep in the bath
And the officer showed out down the short garden path.

… more later …