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Mahirwe says he studies English from Tuesdays to
Thursdays and works in the shop most other days of the week. “I enjoy cutting hair because I like making people look good,” he says. “I’m happy doing this.” Although the majority of people who frequent Lucky Hair Designs are African migrants and first-generation African-Irish, Gaspard caters for all people and hair styles.“There is a large Burundi community, Congo community, Nigerian community and we have a lot of different countries. Poland, Spain and wherever. A lot of communities come here,” he says. Pedro Fernandes, originally from Brazil, tells me that the barbers at Lucky’s, “know our hair, you know? Everybody here is very funny and smiling. I could choose any barber shop in Dublin, but I really enjoy it here,” he says. It’s obvious after spending a couple of hours in Gaspard’s barber shop that it’s more than a place where hair is cut. It’s a community hub, a landmark of Stoneybatter and a space where life slows down. Haircuts here can take up to 25 minutes, but nobody seems to be anxious or impatient. Nobody is in a rush to leave. Talking to Gaspard about how his shop transcends regular barber duties, he says that a lot of the people who come in don’t even get a haircut – it’s sometimes just a space for people to find peace. “They sit down and chat,” he says. “If you have any appointments or are going somewhere or just need a place to relax, you can just have a seat.” When the lunchtime rush finally fades, AY begins to relax and for the first time today, allows himself to be pictured. As he sinks into the couch, I ask him why he thinks Lucky Hair Design is so popular. “Lucky is a good guy, he is accepting of people. I wanted to come over here and prove myself and he allowed me to do that,” he says. “That’s all it is.” Before leaving, I ask Gaspard what his plans Lucky Hair Design Salon, 1 Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 01-6350038 are for the future and what he hopes his shop can become. “I don’t know, I don’t know tomorrow. I just keep on going. It’s not easy but I keep on fighting and keep going,” he says with that beaming smile. ● 50