Philomena hangs up scissors for last time

Philomena hangs up scissors for last time

30 July 2025

A MUCH-LOVED Crossgar hairdresser has decided it is time to hang up her scissors after 57 years in business. 

Philomena Curran (née Miskelly) started working as a hairdressing apprentice in Belfast in August 1968 at the age of 17 and Phil’s Unisex Salon has been a beloved business in Crossgar for 40 years. 

“I had just left school and had always wanted to get into a well-known hairdressers in Belfast called Edward John’s,” Philomena recalled. 

“When I got the apprenticeship, it was a dream come true. It had a good reputation and was one of the few hairdressing places at the time.

“There was a lot of work on Saturdays and evenings in particular, as well as a lot of competition work in it.”

Philomena said she loved working in Belfast, but going into the city became increasingly difficult during The Troubles.

In the wake of Bloody Friday in 1972, Philomena decided to work from home.

So at the age of 21, she started her own local business at her home in Raffrey in a shed her father made for her in the yard.

After building up a clientele, she began hairdressing on Killyleagh Street in 1985.

For the first year, she was in the house to the right of the chemist, before a double shop became available with Harry Degan.

Eventually she was able to buy the house she is in now up the street and turned her front room into a hair salon.

“It worked well most of the time working from home. Though it wasn’t easy at times with three kids in the house,” she said.

“I’ve thoroughly loved the cutting. It has got me through life and the ups and downs along the way.

“I’m grateful to have had my business on such a great street that is so central with such lovely people.

“I love Killyleagh Street and I’ll be here until I’m carried out.”

Philomena, who turns 74 in August, shared how she has talked about retiring for a long time but never knew when the right time was.

“One day it hit me, and I decided it was time to move on.

“It’s not easy to do when you have such loyal customers and you get attached to them”, she explained.

Reflecting on her final day, she said: “I have loved the job. If I hadn’t, I would have been retired long ago.”

Philomena took the opportunity to thank her clients for all their support over the years.

“They have been so loyal and so good to me over the years,” she said.

“They got me through tough times and without them I wouldn’t be where I am. They got me my house and have kept my hairdressers going all these years.

“It’s the end of an era, but I’m looking forward to seeing what comes next.”

Local councillor Callum Bowsie said Killyleagh Street “won’t be the same” without Phil’s Unisex Salon.

“Philomena is a highly respected hairdresser in Crossgar with an extensive list of loyal customers throughout the district. I wish her a very happy and well-desired retirement,” he added.