The wacky 'Haircuts by Children' project came to the IFSC Docklands as part of the Dublin Fringe Festival following successful runs in Los Angeles, Toronto and Birmingham.

The principal of St Joseph's CBS National School in Fairview was the first person to respond to project producer Natalie DeVito's appeal for children to take part in the project.

"I went out to the school and did a few workshops with the kids this week.

They are told that the project reverses roles as they are the ones with the power when they have the scissors in their hands, " said DeVito. "We try to encourage them to really go for it and express themselves as much as possible."

Little Sean Maloney (11) took this advice literally when he cut Patrycja Krzysiek's hair to different lengths all the way around her head. Delighted with her new look, the Polish woman said "the boys are really confident with the scissors in their hands. It was actually very relaxing until I saw a big clump of hair hit the ground but I am happy with my hair as it is really arty, and it will always grow back."

Brimming with confidence after sending a customer away happy with a new haircut, Ian Harley (11) said, "This is great because we are the only school in Ireland to get the chance to do this."

His friend Craig Fynes (11) added:

"Our parents were happy to let us go to this as it is really organised. People have been really calm as we cut their hair."

Eleven-year-old Nicolei Gutierrez's parents and siblings came to the IFSC to watch the family's new hairdresser in action. His father Herico said: "I am a bit nervous about this as Nicolei never did anything like this before this week.

I suppose he will not cause any harm as Natalie is there watching in case anything goes wrong."

The project is leaving Ireland today before an appearance in New York next month and will appear at the Sydney Festival in January.