Wildcat Ink

206B St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre Dublin 2

Tel :(01) 4784273

www.wildcat.ie

Wildcat Ink located on the top floor of St. Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre has been a major part of Dublin’s alternative tattooing and piercing scene since opening its doors almost 20 years ago. Through hard work, fantastic artistry and unrivalled customer service, it has earned its reputation as one of the most reliable and experienced studios in the whole of Ireland. As getting ‘inked’ has become more and more fashionable in recent years, we sat down for a chat with the wonderfully effervescent Dolores Murray, Founder of Wildcat Ink, for an insight into how the industry has have changed so dramatically over the past two decades. “When Wildcat started there were very few other tattoo shops in Dublin,” reflects Dolores. “We had to be put in a discreet location because landlords at the time were not willing to have people doing tattooing in public!” Although attitudes began to change in the ’90s, there was still a negative attitude in some quarters towards those with body modifications, tattoos and piercings.   “You’d think I was opening a brothel or something!” says Dolores. “My landlord at the time allowed us to do piercings for a while, until he saw a nipple piercing sign in the window.” Of course, Wildcat wouldn’t have thrived without its initial loyal clientele, but as perceptions began to change, she began to see a lot more parents with teenagers coming into her store. At the time, Wildcat Ink had already established itself as a respected and trusted entity. “These days everybody is coming in,” notes Dolores. “Initially, it would only be people who are really into tattooing, but now we get people from all walks of life. Reality TV shows, celebrity culture and   sports stars like Conor McGregor and David Beckham have greatly influenced tattoo culture and opened it up to the world.” In terms of current trends, popular specialist piercings like a double forward helix on the upper ears and also standard nose piercings have taken off. As for tattoos, Wildcat specialises in a ‘custom’ service, where customers are encouraged to bring their own ideas, themes and reference points. Murray stresses that people shouldn’t be shy in demanding exactly what they want from their tattoos, or necessarily rush into an idea just because it’s popular at the moment. Of course, in the past few years, competition has greatly increased in the greater Dublin area, where a new tattoo/barber/coffee hybrid seems to be opening every day. Dolores is well aware that the scene has changed rapidly, but isn’t phased, more than likely because she’s seen it all before. However, she’s unable to bite her tongue at the end and playfully cajoles before leaving, “Barbering and tattooing?! I mean, come on! Who wants hair in their tattoo?”