Galway barber, Michael 'Chick' Gillen of Dominick Street is known as one of Galway's most famous characters. A man with a larger than life personality, an accomplished boxing trainer and barber. Two decades ago, we spent time with both Chick and his clientele as they talk their through the world of hair and life.

Gillen was a champion boxer himself, who ran a popular barber shop by day in Galway City but he was known to many more for his work with young fighters in Galway City. In the year 2000, we spent some time with Chick and got to know him better over this time. 

Chick died at aged 87, on Saturday 30th of May 2020.

Compiled by Seamus Kelly and Mary Owens

Produced by Lorelei Harris

First broadcast 11th October 2000

Repeated RTÉ Radio 1, Saturday 6th of June 2020

An Irish radio documentary from RTÉ Radio 1, Ireland - Documentary on One - the home of Irish radio documentaries