When Jake Stahlecker and his wife Gin decided to open a tattoo parlour in Cork, they probably couldn’t have picked a more difficult time.
The couple had spent their savings refurbishing their new space, The Black Poppy, with plans for a grand opening on St Patrick’s Day 2020. Instead, Ireland went into lockdown, leaving them paying rent for six months without being able to work.
“It might have been amongst the top percentages of worst times to open a business in a new country where neither of you are natives.”
But they decided to stick it out, and now, years later, they’re organising the East Cork Tattoo Convention for a second time.
The couple’s journey to Cork began in Italy, where Gin is from and where the pair met.
She had always had a love for Ireland and wanted to live here, and after spending two years travelling back and forth between Ireland and Italy, they eventually settled in Cork.
“Cork just seemed to have a good vibe about it, a good movement about it,” he said.
“You’re located near enough to beautiful nature and that’s really what we’re into.”
The couple now live by the sea, and their tattoo shop, The Black Poppy, is based in Cork City.
The idea behind the convention is really a dedication to the artistry of tattoos, and the Ballymaloe Grainstore was the perfect backdrop.
The couple decided they wanted an intimate setting, a convention that would allow people to meet artists without the overwhelming scale of a huge event.
The convention brings together artists from across Europe, as well as artists from North America, with a wide range of tattooing styles represented.
This year, they’ve expanded the idea considerably.
While tattoos remain at the heart of the event, the organisers are keen to make it a weekend that people can enjoy whether they want to get tattooed or not. This is an event that absolutely everybody can enjoy.
There will be temporary tattoos for children, bracelet-making, tie-dye, a wood-carving demonstration and a flower wreath workshop.
Visitors can also take part in rock-and-roll dancing, with instructors travelling from abroad to teach throughout the weekend.
There will be live music across the three days, as well as bingo hosted by Jake, and on Saturday night, a fire spinning, juggling and acrobatics show.
The organisers have deliberately made the event family-friendly and inclusive, reflecting the atmosphere they’ve tried to create at The Black Poppy.
“If you don’t want to get tattooed, even if you’re not interested in tattoos, you will have an amazing time.”
Putting together an event of this scale has required plenty of planning, but the organisers have learned from last year’s experience and started preparing earlier.
The couple also divide up the work according to their strengths.
Gin takes care of the graphics, artwork and social media, while Jake takes on more of the public-facing role and event direction.
“It’s a team,” he said, joking that, like any married couple, they also know each other’s weaknesses.
For Jake, one of the most interesting things about tattooing is the sheer range of people who now get tattoos.
Their customers range widely in age and background. One memorable customer was a 93-year-old woman who came into the shop for her first tattoo, and returned three months later for another.
The convention will similarly bring together artists working across a huge variety of styles, giving visitors the opportunity to find something that suits them.
Jake and Gin are also conscious that a tattoo is a permanent decision.
They are mindful of certain tattoos where a customer might regret the decision later, including some neck and hand tattoos and tattoos involving the names of very new partners.
Their philosophy is simple: they don’t just want customers to be happy when they leave the shop. They want them to still be happy with their tattoo years later.
Tattoo removal will also be represented at the convention, while cover-ups are something the Black Poppy team regularly works on. The Black Poppy even offers free consultations where they can run you through all your options for retouching or covering an old tattoo.
For anyone considering getting tattooed at the event, there is no requirement to have an appointment. Visitors can contact a particular artist beforehand if they have someone specific in mind, but there will also be artists bringing flash designs for people to choose from on the day.
There will also be opportunities to watch artists at work, speak to them about their styles and browse merchandise and handmade goods.
For anyone thinking about getting their first tattoo, Jake’s advice is to do your research — look at the reputation of the shop, the artist and the type of work they specialise in. Tattoos can be very personal, so you have to find the right fit for you. .
Ultimately, the convention is designed to be more than a place to get some new ink.
It’s an opportunity to meet artists, discover different styles, listen to live music, take part in workshops, browse handmade goods and enjoy a weekend of entertainment.
And after the difficult beginnings of The Black Poppy, the event represents another step forward for the couple who arrived in Cork looking for a place to call home.
Tickets can be bought through Eventbrite or at the door, with day and weekend passes available. Payment can be made by cash, card or Revolut.
For Jake, the hope is simple: that people will come along, find something they enjoy and leave with a good memory — whether or not that memory happens to be permanently inked onto their skin.
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