Sam Donnelly is a fourth-generation master barber and co-director of Sam’s Barbers, a family-run chain of barbershops throughout Dublin, established in 1901, catering for all aspects of men’s grooming from the classic haircuts and hot towel shaving.

Sam has also influenced the introduction of the barbershop into the digital era by introducing the first cashless barbershop in Ireland in 2017 with the participation of AIB Merchant Services and Clover card terminals. They provided clients with a new, convenient and ground-breaking way to book a visit to the barbers with a fully automated self-serve booking system by Resurva Canada in 2014, the first in Europe.

Sam is also a co-founder of Pomp & Co. Grooming Goods which formulates premium cosmetics for the male marketplace and exports them worldwide in partnership with DHL Express Ireland via its extensive e-commerce and logistics platform. It has sold to Brown Thomas in Ireland, Douglas in Europe, and TK Maxx in America.

Although primarily focused on the personal grooming industry, Sam has additionally ventured into the food and beverage industry with the Market Café – a sustainability- conscious coffee shop that aims for zero-waste that uses only fully recyclable packaging and serving up Fair-Trade coffee.

Through his experience in the grooming industry, Sam was able to follow his passion for charity work leading him to become an ambassador for Movember, the men’s health foundation, which raises awareness for men’s health.

When not “running around”, Sam is a keen carpenter and marathon runner, participating in six marathons and spends his time between Dublin and Galway with his wife Marie and two (next-generation barbers) boys Jack and Flynn.