Mullinahone Co-op is a trusted Irish supplier with strong community roots, who provide high-quality grooming supplies — from everyday essentials to larger salon equipment — and understands the needs of professional groomers. They are renowned for their long-standing reputation for reliability and integrity. Their commitment to quality products, dependable service, and supporting Irish businesses makes them a supplier groomers can truly rely on.

For members, this programme unlocks meaningful savings and exclusive offers from trusted, reputable suppliers — giving you real value that supports your day-to-day business and professional growth.
For partners, it provides targeted visibility and direct engagement with the IPDGA membership, creating a mutually beneficial collaboration that strengthens professional grooming businesses and supports the wider industry as a whole.

Here is a special message from Stephen,

“Here at Mullinahone co-op, we are proud to be a long established supplier to the professional grooming industry. We work closely with groomers across Ireland to provide high-quality grooming equipment, consumables, and pet care products that are practical, reliable, and fit for the realities of a busy grooming salon.

Just as importantly, we believe in real support offering expert product knowledge, after-sales service, and ongoing advice to help groomers run successful, sustainable businesses.
We are also deeply committed to the development and professionalism of the grooming industry, which is why we continue to actively support the Irish Professional Dog Groomers Association (IPDGA). The IPDGA plays a vital role in education, standards, and advocacy for groomers, and we are proud to stand behind that work.

Mullinahone Co-op has been an IPDGA partner for well over 20 years, a relationship built on shared values, mutual respect, and a long-term commitment to the grooming community. Our continued partnership reflects our belief that supporting groomers goes beyond supplying products it means investing in the industry's future and the people who make it what it is.

Warm regards 
Stephen”

Grooming Greats is IPDGA’s monthly interview series celebrating the people who help shape and inspire our profession. In each episode we sit down with a different leading groomer or industry figure to explore their journey, experiences and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Through relaxed, unscripted conversations, Grooming Greats offers insight into professional grooming careers, competitions, education, creativity and the realities of working within our industry. Whether you are newly qualified or highly experienced, each episode is designed to inform, inspire, and connect our grooming community.

Watch the pilot episode here and join us as we learn directly from the grooming greats — one conversation at a time.

We hope you enjoyed this episode of Grooming Greats.
New interviews are going to be released regularly, each featuring a different grooming professional sharing their experience, insight, and perspective. Be sure to check back for future episodes as the series continues.

This week, the Irish Professional Dog Groomers Association (IPDGA) met with Neill McDonnell, CEO of ISME, and Sarah Montayne, Membership Relations, to discuss the future of our industry and the potential for meaningful, long-term change for professional groomers in Ireland.

The meeting marked an important step in exploring how the IPDGA can work alongside ISME to advocate for improved conditions for groomers, recognizing the essential welfare role our profession plays and the challenges faced by small, service-based businesses.

What Was Discussed?

What Was Discussed?
Our discussions focused on the realities of running a grooming business today and how targeted advocacy could support both animal welfare and sustainable livelihoods for groomers. In particular, four key areas were identified as priorities for future engagement:

• VAT Reduction
  Recognition of grooming as a welfare service rather than a luxury, and the need to address the impact of the current VAT rate on compliant, small businesses.
• Education and Training Pathways
  Exploring structured routes into the profession, including apprenticeships and affordable educational solutions.
• VAT Registration Threshold
  Consideration of a higher threshold that allows microbusinesses to grow sustainably without being penalized for compliance.
• Owner Education and Welfare Awareness
  Promoting public understanding of coat care and routine grooming as a fundamental part of responsible pet ownership.

Looking Ahead.
We are now in discussions about joining ISME in 2026, which would allow the IPDGA to formally engage in policy advocacy with the support of Ireland’s leading representative body for small and medium enterprises.

While this is the beginning of a process rather than an immediate solution, it represents a significant and encouraging step forward. For the first time, the grooming sector is positioning itself to have a stronger, clearer voice at national level.

A Milestone Moment!
As the IPDGA approaches its 30th anniversary, this moment feels especially meaningful. After 29 years of supporting professional standards, education, and welfare within the industry, we are now looking toward the next chapter — one focused on recognition, fairness, and positive change for groomers and the animals in our care.

We will continue to keep members informed as discussions progress and welcome your engagement as we move forward together.

This is the start of a longer journey, and we are committed to keeping members informed at every stage.

Members can find answers to common questions about this development in our FAQs here →  Member FAQs on ISME Engagement

On 22 November, the grooming community gathered in Belfast for the Celtic Coat Dog Grooming Awards, hosted by long-standing IPDGA members Michael Shiels and Tanya Salas. From start to finish, the day was filled with positivity, connection, and recognition for groomers right across the country.

This wasn’t a grooming competition in the usual sense, in fact, no dogs were groomed on the day, apart from four excellent demo dogs presented by Isabella Doblas Jones, Lyndsey Murphy, James Holberry, and Tracey Douglas. Each demo offered practical learning, helpful techniques, and plenty of easy, relaxed conversation that everyone could relate to.

We were also treated to a wonderfully engaging seminar from Jackie Polson, who delivered a detailed and genuinely useful talk on the skin and coat of the wide range of dogs we see day in and day out in the typical salon. From coat function to condition, challenges to solutions, Jackie covered it all in a way that was accessible, informative, and deeply relevant to everyday grooming work.

The awards themselves recognised an incredible range of categories from technical skills to creative grooming, compassionate handling, customer care, business excellence, and community contribution. With several winners selected through public vote, it was heartwarming to see clients and supporters uplifting the groomers who make a difference in their dogs’ lives.

The event highlighted exactly what makes this industry so special: a community full of groomers with different strengths, approaches, and styles yet united by a shared passion for dogs, learning, professionalism, and supporting one another. That diversity is what keeps our industry vibrant and ever progressing.

When evening arrived, the celebrations truly began. The awards ceremony brought fantastic food, drink, music, dancing, and friends coming together long into the early morning. Not one person arrived covered in dog hair, a rare sight for any groomer! and it was brilliant to see everyone get the chance to dress up, unwind, and enjoy the night. The photos captured only a fraction of the fun, and perhaps that’s for the best!

As an association for Irish dog groomers, we are genuinely thrilled and incredibly lucky  to call the people who run and participate in events like this our members. You continue to fly the flag for what the IPDGA stands for: inclusivity, support, continuous growth, professionalism, kindness, and genuine friendship within the grooming community.

Events like the Celtic Coat Awards reflect exactly the direction we want our industry to continue moving,  uplifting one another, celebrating achievements, creating learning opportunities, and keeping our community strong.

A huge thank you again to Michael, Tanya, everyone involved in organizing the day and every groomer who attended.
We couldn’t be prouder!!

As we look ahead, we need to prebook a venue for 2026. I understand that travel and accommodation can be a challenge and there will always be differing opinions on location. Dublin, unfortunately is simply not a viable option due to costs both for the event and for members attending. We were very lucky to find our current location, would you believe it took nearly two years of searching to find SETU Arena which remains one of the very few venues that truly meets our needs. They are incredibly obliging to our industry allowing dogs on site (which most venues will not), welcoming campervans overnight, providing everything we need within our budget and being on hand throughout the weekend with full support available. With this in mind I have secured the venue for next years Madra Mania. We know we can’t please everyone when it comes to geography, but your comfort and experience remain a top priority.
I’d like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who respected the venue and helped keep the grounds clean and tidy throughout the weekend. Your professionalism and care reflect so positively on our entire community and have ensured we are welcomed back.

I would  also like to reassure everyone that we are addressing the sound issues experienced again this year. Ensuring that all seminars and speakers can be heard clearly is a top priority for the next event.
After enjoying Madra Mania 2025, we now turn our focus to planning the next series of events, especially as we approach our 30th Anniversary next year, a milestone we are very proud to celebrate together.

Please feel free to share any suggestions or ideas for events you may have and equally if you know of a potential future venues that ticks all the boxes - affordable, dog-friendly, spacious and accommodating to hold them in please let the committee or myself know.

Thank you all once again for your support, encouragement, and enthusiasm. I’m so proud to be part of this amazing community and excited for what we can continue to achieve together.

Warmest regards, 
Carol
Chair, IPDGA

The IPDGA blog is back! As the new Chair, I’m eager to use this space to share updates, ideas, and inspiration from across our vibrant community.