The word “Gainfort” has become synonymous with flair and excellence in the hair and beauty industry for 30 years now. We’ve been supplying salons with their everyday needs and helping new establishments with their design and fit out. And so it was only natural to take it one step further and open a state-of-the-art training academy in 2007.

With centres in Wexford and Waterford and satellite locations in counties around the country, Gainfort Academy is fully equipped with the latest facilities and teaching technology. Our intimate classrooms and spacious amphitheatre are specially designed for a wide variety of courses, seminars and workshops for industry professionals and aspiring amateurs. The Academy has been selected in RSVP Magazine’s Elite selection of “Leading Beauty Schools in Ireland since 2014”. Proud winners of The Wexford Business Awards Training Provider of the Year 2012, 2014, 2015 & 2016. In 2019, we were voted – by public vote – as winners National Training Academy of the Year at the Hi Style awards. Gainfort Academy is a, VTCT and AIT accredited training centre. We offer certificates and diplomas in Hairdressing, Barbering, Beauty Treatments, Beauty Therapy, Professional Make Up, Holistic Massage, Nail Technology, and Teacher Training.

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We have an overall pass rate of 100% in our ITEC courses to date. Our past students have secured positions with Disney Cruises, Keville for Hair, Peter Mark, Aidan Fitzgerald, AC Pure, Cheveau Studio, Seafield Hotel Spa, Whites Hotel, Brandon House Hotel, to name but a few, others have set up their own successful businesses. Last year, our hairdressing student, Sarah Harris, won National Best Blonde Image at Crossans Be Fabulous Awards.

We offer students tailored payment plans to help them budget to succeed in their studies. We give all our students a discount card that is valid for one-year post-qualification which helps them in their first year as professionals. Academy Director, Fiona Gainfort, oversees successful recruitment of our students who are head hunted by discerning salon owners. We also work closely with Monart Spa, Steiner, OSMO, Amber Springs and Ashdown Park Hotel who recruit directly from our students.

Train at Gainfort Academy now a centre of excellence for Revlon, L’Oreal, Affinage, American Crew, & Dermalogica, along with guest tutors such as Paul Mac Special, Sean Taaffe, Chris Munt, Gemma Crossan, Marie Misfit MUA, Anne Veck & David Cashman. ITEC courses are also approved for lntreo funding. Please check at your local office to see if you are eligible.

EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Meet the Team

Fiona Gainfort

Fiona is the Gainfort Academy director and plays a major role in helping the next generation of hairdressing and beauticians kickstart their careers. She is a qualified tutor with qualifications in hair, beauty, life coaching and career guidance. Fiona is also a member on the Executive Board of Hairdressing Council of Ireland, and aims to be the voice for hairdressers in the South East.

Gina O Flaherty

Gina has been in the beauty industry since 2010, after she received her diploma. She is ITEC, CIBTAC, and CIDESCO qualified. Gina received student of the year in 2010 from Enniscorthy Cocational College. She has worked with Dermalogica, Decleor, Payot, Elemis, Mamamio, Biodroga, Dr.Hauschka, Guinot, Vita Liberata Tan and He-Shi Tan.

Mary Ogilive

Mary has a wealth of experience in the training field being on of South East’s leading educators for numerous years. She has a vast knowledge of colour having completed The Loreal and Wella colour specialist degree. Mary commands a high level of tutoring. The results show with her individual care with her students.

Sharon Sheehan

Sharon is proprietor of award winning salon AC Pure. She has worked as Artistic Director for Toni and Guy for 12 years. Sharon was a franchisee for Toni and Guy Waterford and was staff educator within the company. Specializing in cutting and Red Carpet/ Bridal Hair having worked with a vast celebrity clientele.

Guest Artists

Susan Ryan

Susan is a professionally trained Freelance Makeup Artist specializing in Bridal and High Fashion makeup. Susan always had a flair for the creative. On leaving school, she attended the Limerick College of Art & Design. After that, she obtained a degree in Architectural technology but always felt a pull towards a more creative path. Having always had a passion and natural talent for applying makeup for family & friends, she decided to pursue a career in makeup artistry. Susan specialised in advanced Bridal and High Fashion makeup at the LA Makeup Academy in Dublin.

Margo Kilkenny

With over thirty years of hairdressing experience Margo is an official educator and technician for Affinage Salon Professional. Travelling and educating both nationally and internationally working with some of the Britain’s top hairstylist at their seminars, courses and shows. Her work with Affinage allows her to educate everyone in the hairdressing industry in the latest hair and colour trends which are ongoing in the current hair industry. She also has been running her own salon since 1992.

Marie Murphy

Marie trained in skin and bridal make up, working for various companies and was a finalist in Illamasque Distinction of Make Up Artistry Awards 2013. She won the Cinema Make Up School Legends of make Up School to study special FX in Hollywood. Since then she has worked for Disney channel, the media industry and most recently is a make up artist for Kat Von Dee Make Up