Baldy Barber’s Legacy Continues in New Cork City Salon

Two former apprentices of the iconic Baldy Barber have launched independent barbershops in Cork, following the retirement of Michael ‘Mick’ Moriarty after 59 years in the trade.

The Baldy Barber, which had operated in Cork city for more than 87 years, officially closed its doors on November 8, 2025. The business was originally founded in 1937 by Peter Moriarty on Merchant’s Quay before relocating to Blackpool on the northside of the city, where Mick Moriarty managed the shop from 1971 until his retirement.

New Ventures in Boherbue and North Cork

One of the new establishments is Sheehan’s Irish Traditional Barbershop, opened in February 2026 in Boherbue by Noel Sheehan. Sheehan brings 38 years of experience to the venture, having worked in Cork, Dublin, London, and New York before returning to Cork to establish his own business.

Sheehan has designed his shop to reflect an old school ethos where the barbershop serves as a community meeting hub, comparing the concept to a mix of 1990s Cork barbershops and a men’s shed. To maintain a focus on customer connection and conversation, the shop does not have a television.

Sheehan has stated that his business focuses on classic cuts more than fad hairstyles, explicitly distancing his model from the current trend of soulless shops that rely on appointment-only systems and ring lights.

A second new barbershop has been opened on the northside of Cork City by Donncha O’Conne, who was described by Mick Moriarty as his right-hand man during the final years of the Baldy Barber’s operation.

Legacy and Asset Transition

The transition from the original Baldy Barber to these new independent shops involved a transfer of professional tools. Mick Moriarty visited Noel Sheehan’s new premises in Boherbue to provide him with tools that had belonged to Peter Moriarty.

Regarding the original physical assets, the former barbershop premises in Blackpool were sold at the end of 2025. Mick Moriarty indicated that he expects the site to be redeveloped into apartments.

It’s time to say goodbye. It’s with a heavy heart, but a mind at ease. Moriarty’s first opened its doors in 1937, founded by my late father, Peter on Merchant’s Quay. We later moved to Blackpool, where I’ve been snipping, clipping, and shaving ever since. I took over the running of the shop in 1971. It’s been a privilege to continue his legacy and serve this wonderful community for so many years.

Mick Moriarty

The closure of the Baldy Barber marked the end of a multi-generational business that served the community for nearly nine decades, while the emergence of the new shops represents a shift toward independent ownership by those trained under the Moriarty legacy.