Yudansha training in Athboy!!!
On Saturday 21st of January a small group of the Aikikai Ireland Yudansha got together in the Athboy dojo to get some serious training done. The morning class consisted of Jo work and the second class the focus was on the Bokken. Thanks for a great days training lads....well done. Look forward to the next one.
[Click here for a couple more pics from the day...]
Aikido Ikeda Dojo Wicklow opening night
On Monday 9th of January Aikido Ikeda Dojo Wicklow opened under the instruction of Joe McHugh Sensei. Joe would like to extend a very special thanks to the following people who attended the opening training of the Aikido Ikeda Dojo on Monday 9th January. Ben, Barry, Eddie,Yam, Cillian, Joe, Fintan, Norbert, Daniel, Tony, Jean, Trevor, Willie, P.J. and Ciaran. For photos from the opening night you can see them on the Ikeda Dojo Wicklow website by clicking the link below.
Aikido seminar with Michele Quaranta Sensei in Sligo
Aikikai Ireland Technical Adviser Michele Quaranta Sensei 6th Dan Aikikai will give a seminar in Sligo on the 10th, 11th and 12th February.
All at Aikikai Ireland are looking forward to the course with Michele Sensei as usual. The course will be hosted in the Sligo dojo in the MCR Community Centre, Mail Coach Road.
This is the first of 3 courses throughout 2012 that will be given by Michele Sensei. Aikikai Ireland students can look forward to a busy 2012 with plenty of great quality seminars to attend all year. You can check out more details for the course and download the poster by clicking the link below to the future events page. You can also scroll down the future events page and see the other high caliber courses that are penciled in for 2012.
One day course in Sligo gets coverage in local media!!!
The course that was held in Sligo recently has made the local newspapers in Sligo, both of the countys main newspapers "The Sligo Champion" (www.SligoChampion.ie) and "The Sligo Weekender" (www.SligoWeekender.ie) very kindly published articles on the course. We at Aikikai Ireland and in particular the Sligo Aikido Club would like to extend our gratitude to both excellent newspapers. P.s to see the articles in more detail double click the image above.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Aikikai Ireland members
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Aikikai Ireland members. I hope you all enjoy the holiday.Thanks for your continued support and making 2011 such a memorable one. Here's looking forward to 2012!!!!!
Course photos from the one day seminar with
Eamon Coyne Sensei and Trevor Pigott Sensei
On Saturday 3rd December, the MCR Community Hall home of the Sligo Aikido Club played host to a national inter club Aikido seminar. The seminar was attended by students and instructors from clubs in Cavan, Dublin(3), Meath, Wicklow and the hosts Sligo. At the course classes were given by Eamon Coyne 3rd Dan head instructor of the Sligo Club and Trevor Pigott 3rd Dan head instructor of the Athboy Club in Meath. The seminar also provided the students with the opportunity to grade for their next belt. A mix of students from the different clubs all successfully passed their gradings.
A special mention to the following students who passed: Carlene Gildea, Gary Holmes, Sean (6th Kyu), Gabrielle Hosey, Sylvain Marinier (5th Kyu), Sarah Conlon, Paul Cunningham, Mark Connell (3rd Kyu), Danny Kileen, Wojciech Kordyl, Eamon McGauran, Maria McGauran, Niall Jones, Timothy Lynch, Adrian Shanley, Thomas Waldron (2nd Kyu). You can view photos from the course by clicking the link below.
New Aikikai Ireland Dojo in Wicklow
Aikikai Ireland has the pleasure of announcing Joe McHugh Sensei 4th Dan Aikikai will start a new adventure with his dojo in Co.Wicklow. The Ikeda Dojo Wicklow will open to the general public on the 9th of January 2012. Joe has studied Aikido since 1987 firstly in Ireland and then in Switzerland where he was fortunate enough to study for a number of years under Masatomi Ikeda Sensei.
Joe has also been greatly influenced by Michele Quaranta Sensei (Aikikai Ireland Technical Adviser). The Ikeda Dojo Wicklow joins the Aikido Dojo Tallaght, Athboy Aikido Club, Cavan Aikido Dojo, Heron Dojo, Phoenix Dojo, IT Sligo Dojo and Sligo Aikido Club in the ranks of Aikikai Ireland Dojos. Best of Luck Joe...click the links below for further information..
[Aikikai Ireland Ikeda Dojo homepage...] [Ikeda Dojo Wicklow site...]
Heron Dojo instructor Fiona Kelty back from visit to
Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei in his dojo in Lauria, Italy
Aikikai Irelands Heron Dojo instructor Fiona Kelty Sensei is fresh back from her visit to Lauria to stay and train with Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei 5th Dan and his wife Rosella Lamboglia 3rd Dan. Fiona said she had a great time and you can read Fionas account by clicking the link below.
[Fiona's account of Lauria...]
Thank you Michele Quaranta Sensei for a great course.
Course photos now uploaded
!!!
Aikikai Ireland once again had the pleasure of a seminar with Michele Quaranta Sensei 6th Dan Aikikai and Aikikai Ireland technical adviser. The course was held in Athboy and Michele Sensei covered a multitude over the 3 days of intense yet thoroughly enjoyable practice.
Students had the chance to study empty hand techniques, Jo kata, Aikiken and Tanto dori and how they are all inter related. All of which was expertly instructed by Michele Sensei. As always all in attendance were very impressed with the depth of knowledge that Michele Sensei displayed.
Of course with all the hard training everyone looked forward to the socialising off the mats too, which was done in the regular spots in Athboy,
Saddlers Well on the Friday night for a few pints and the Darnley Lodge Hotel for a beautiul meal and more liquid refreshment on the Saturday night. Thanks to Trevor Pigott Sensei and all the gang in Athboy for a great weekend and also the people that travelled from all over Ireland and Switzerland to attend the course and last but not least Michele Quaranta Sensei for a great course again!. Check out the course photo's below
Classes resume in IT Sligo on 28th September
Aikido classes will resume in the IT from the Wednesday the 28th September. Classes are taught by Declan Bray 2nd Dan Aikikai. Declan has been teaching the students class in the IT for a number of years and has been quiet successful in keeping the numbers high all year round, which is no easy task considering the distractions that students have when they hit college for the first time 8).
Declan Sensei is looking forward to seeing the regular IT Aikidoka as well as new ones in the coming academic year. Details can be found on the IT Club page by clicking on the link below.
Thank you Joe McHugh Sensei and all in Athboy
for a great weekend!!
Thanks to Joe McHugh Sensei for a thoroughly enjoyable course last weekend which was hosted by Trevor Pigott Sensei and the Athboy Aikido Club crew.
The course was enjoyed by all and plenty of material was covered by Joe Sensei with plenty of work covered in Aikijo and Aikiken in addition to Tai-jutsu techniques.
Thanks also to all of the people that travelled from Cavan, Dublin and Sligo to the attend course.
Great days training in Sligo and grading success
On Saturday the 11th of June a one day course was held in Sligo Dojo.
The course was taught by Trevor Pigott Sensei (Athboy Aikido Club) and Eamon Coyne Sensei (Sligo Aikido Club).
After the classes taught by Trevor Sensei and Eamon Sensei some of the students had the oppurtunity to grade, there was a nice mix of students from the Aikikai Ireland Dojos. All of the students that graded can be proud of their achievement as the fruits of their labour was very apparent on the day, keep up the good work.
A big congratulations to all of the following Aikikai Ireland students
6th Kyu:
Patrick Toth (Aikido Dojo Tallaght)
Euridica Toth (Aikido Dojo Tallaght)
Gabrielle Hosey (Sligo Aikido Club)
Michael Gormely (Sligo Aikido Club)
Jamie Herity (IT Sligo Dojo)
Aaron Mulvaney (IT Sligo Dojo)
4th Kyu:
William Gaffeny (Sligo Aikido Club)
Sarah Conlon (Sligo Aikido Dojo/IT Sligo Dojo)
3rd Kyu:
Adrian Shanley (Athboy Aikido Club)
Mark Connell (Athboy Aikido Club)
Danny Kileen (Sligo Aikido Club/IT Sligo Dojo)
Thomas Waldron (Sligo Aikido Club/IT Sligo Dojo)
Ivan O'Sullivan (Sligo Aikido Club/IT Sligo Dojo)
Timothy Lynch (Sligo Aikido Club)
Wojciech Kordyl (Phoenix Dojo)
[Click here for course photo's...]
Aikikai Ireland Celebrates 2nd Anniversary!!!
Another great year for everyone at Aikikai Ireland. Since last June we have seen a new dojo at Aikikai Ireland with the Aikido Dojo Tallaght and dojo instructor Norbert Toth coming on board.
Some Aikikai Ireland members travelled to Slovakia for a very memorable summer camp with Aikikai Ireland Technical Adviser Michele Quaranta Sensei. Aikikai Ireland again hosted some more thoroughly enjoyable seminars with Michele Quaranta Sensei, Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei, Joe McHugh Sensei along with Aikikai Ireland one day courses hosted by Trevor Pigott Sensei and Eamon Coyne Sensei.We have seen the progression of the Aikikai Ireland students with the gradings held last May and November not forgetting Joe McHughs 4th Dan grading in April.
These are just some of the highlights, so a big well done to all Aikikai Ireland members for making the past 12 months so memorable, keep up the good work everyone....
New Phoenix dojo website and new look for Heron Dojo website
Eddie Murray and Barry McGee instructors at the Phoenix Dojo have a nice new website. The website was published by Barry McGee, you can visit the new site here (www.phoenixaikidodublin.yolasite.com).
The Heron Dojo website has recently been giving a fresh look by dojo instructor Fiona Kelty. You can see the new look site here.. (www.herondojo.com).
Well Done Barry and Fiona!!!
Fiordineve Cozzi course in Athboy, a great time had by all!!!
"Thanks a million to Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei, 5th Dan for the very interesting, challenging and enjoyable Aikido Course last on the 30th April and 1st of May in Athboy. And a huge thank you to Trevor Pigott Sensei and Athboy Aikido School for hosting the Course, and providing us with 2 nights of music, dancing and lovely meals, as well as afternoon trips to Trim Castle and to the magical Lough Crew area and its megalithic tombs.
Thanks also from all of us to the lovely group of warm, lively, friendly Italian people who accompanied Fiordineve - especially his beautiful wife, Rosella! It was a great pleasure to meet you all, and to have fun and Aikido together. See you again soon!"......... Fiona Kelty Heron dojo Instructor.
Click the link below for photos from the weekend.
You can see more photos on Fiordineve Sensei's website (www.aikidoweb.it) and also here (http://fotoalbum.aikidoweb.it). When the page opens, click on the little + sign to the left of the word "Eventi" and more options will come up. Then click on Irlanda and Dublino and Athboy to see lots of photos.
Fund Raising Lunch by Aikikai Ireland in aid of Japanese Tsunami
At the recent Aikikai Ireland Spring Course in Sligo a suggestion was made by Valli Schafer to have a fund raising lunch in aid of the recent Japanese Tsunami disaster. The lunch was organised and prepared by Valli Schafer and Karen Webster and was a great hit from both a fund rasing perspective and by those that enjoyed the lovely food provided.
A total of 21,000 yen (€177) was transferred by Valli to the fund raising account promoted by the Doshu Moriteru Ueshiba, details of which are on the Aikikai Headquarters wesbite (www.aikikai.or.jp/eng/index.htm). All money transferred to this account goes to the Japanese Red Cross fund.
So a big well done to Valli and Karen and all of those that donated to the charity lunch and helped the affected Japanese people in their time of need.
Gaku Homma Kancho in Dublin
Gaku Homma Kancho of Nippon Kan Dojo, Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. taught 3 Aikido Classes which he so generously gave, free of charge, in Dublin on Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th of April, at the request of his former uchi deshi (live-in student), Mariusz Ferenc. Mariusz has been training in Public Service Aikido Club (http://www.psac.ie) since coming to live in Ireland.
All voluntary donations which were collected at the door of each class went directly to A.H.A.N.: Aikido Humanitarian Active Network. Homma Sensei does not even allow us to pay his expenses. Click the link below to read Heron Dojo’s Sensei Fiona Kelty account of the very special classes…
A thoroughly enjoyable Aikikai Ireland Spring Course
with Michele Quaranta Sensei
Once again Aikikai Ireland had the privilege of hosting Michele Quaranta Sensei 6th Dan Aikikai. The course was held in the picturesque village of Rosses Point, Sligo. The Scouts Den provided the hall which faced the Atlantic Sea with stunning panoramic views of the beaches.
Thankfully the weather picked up on Saturday and Sunday to provide those in attendance with a very memorable weekend. A special mention to Joe McHugh who passed his 4th Dan examination at the course, not forgetting to mention our travelling Aikido friends Halka and Charlotte and also the people that travelled from Dublin, Cavan, Meath, Galway and Tyrone to attend the course. Click below to see some photo's from the weekend course.
Table quiz for Sligo Aikido Club a big success
On Friday the 11th of February 2011 the Harp Tavern played host to a table quiz in aid of Sligo Aikido Club. The quiz was a big success with plenty raised for the club on the night.
Thanks to all the local businesses that supported the quiz and also the club members that brought along plenty of support.
One Day Seminar with Joe McHugh Sensei in Athboy
A big thank you to Joe McHugh Sensei for the one day seminar in Athboy. The course was a great days training, as those that attended will testify. The course consisted of 5 hours training in the one day, so quiet a lot was covered on the day by Joe. Thanks to everyone that attended and Trevor and the lads for hosting the course so capably as always.
One Day Course and Gradings in Sligo
on 27th of November
a great success
Knocknarea Arena in IT Sligo played host to a One Day seminar on Satudrday 27th of November 2010. The course was given by Aikikai Ireland instructors Trevor Pigott Sensei and Eamon Coyne Sensei.
After the course there was grading examinations. A big whole hearted well done to all of the following candidates from all at Aikikai Ireland, you all should be proud of yourselves......
6th Kyu:
Darragh Cattigan (IT Sligo Dojo)
5th Kyu:
Sarah Conlon (IT Sligo Dojo and Sligo Dojo)
Paul Cunningham (Sligo Dojo)
Mark Connell (Athboy Dojo)
4th Kyu:
Dean Clancy (Sligo Dojo)
Ivan O'Sullivan (IT Sligo Dojo and Sligo Dojo)
Adrian Shanley (Athboy Dojo)
Thomas Waldron (IT Sligo Dojo and Sligo Dojo)
Tomasz Kostrzewa (Phoenix Dojo)
Wojciech Kordyl (Phoenix Dojo)
3rd Kyu:
Niall Jones (Sligo Dojo)
We then celebrated afterwards with our Christmas party, thankfully there was no camera present at that 8). But Declan did get some shots of the some of the action during the day, one of which is a lovely shot of Mark Connell and Eamonn Thompson above. For more shots from the course just click the link below.
Photos from the August 2010 Summer Camp in Radava, Slovakia
with Michele Quaranta Sensei
We have updated the Photo gallery with some shots that were taken at the great Slovakian Aikido Summer camp with Michele Quaranta Sensei in Radava. Plenty of great training, eating, drinking and sunshine. Also included are some shots of the gangs trip to Vienna afterwards. To view the photos just follow the link below.
[Slovakia Summer camp photos...]
October Course with Joe McHugh Sensei Report
It was with regret and concern that we received the sad news from Michele Quaranta Sensei that he would not make the October course in Athboy as both Michele Sensei and the Aikikai Ireland students had eagerly anticipated. However with quick thinking and reorganising Michele had asked if it was ok that Joe McHugh Sensei be willing to fulfil the duties and give the course in his place.
Joe readily stepped up to the task of taking the course and the not so easy task of filling Michele’s shoes. But Joe nonetheless in his relaxed warm and friendly manner took the course in his stride. On the Friday night Joe began by....
Aikikai Ireland has a new dojo in Tallaght
Aikikai Ireland has the pleasure of announcing the opening of a new dojo in Tallaght by Norbert Toth Shodan Aikikai. The Aikido Dojo Tallaght is located in St. Mark's Community School, Tallaght, Dublin with class on every Tuesday from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Nobert Sensei has many years Aikido experience both at home in Slovakia and also now here in Ireland. Everyone involved with Aikikai Ireland would like to wish Norbert the very best of luck in his new dojo. For further details follow the link below to go to the Aikido Dojo Tallaght homepage.
[Aikido Dojo Tallaght Homepage...]
Happy Birthday 1st Birthday Aikikai Ireland
We have all been so busy training at our dojo's, at courses both here and abroad our 1st Birthday almost slipped by unnoticed. On Tuesday 2nd June 2009 Aikikai Ireland was formed. Since Aikikai Ireland's inception over 1 year ago all of the people involved have strived to make it happen, and the fruits of everyone's labour have been fantastic. In the past 12 months alone Aikikai Ireland has hosted 7 seminars with visiting instructors namely Michele Quaranta Sensei, Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei and Paul Linden Sensei coming to teach the lucky Aikidoka that had the pleasure of attending these highly qualified instructors.
In addition to hosting visiting international instructors Aikikai Irelands very own instructors have been busy giving multi instructor courses that were well attended and supported by each of the dojo's students. Well done to all of the Aikikai Ireland members we should be proud of our achievements so far, let's keep going onwards and upwards.
Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei in Sligo as enjoyable as ever 8)
On the 11th through to the 13th of June the Sligo dojo hosted Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei 5th Dan Aikikai for a very enjoyable Aikido seminar. The course was a great success with participants attending from all 6 of the Aikikai Ireland dojos.
A big thank you to Fiordineve Sensei from Aikikai Ireland for giving another great weekends training and also to the traveling Italian Aikido students for coming to practice with us. Click the link below for course report and course photos.
Massive congratulations to all the successful grading's candidates
On Saturday the 29th of May, the Sligo Dojo hosted a one day seminar. The course also offered students the ability to grade with grading's sessions held at the end of the days training.
The grading's went very well with all the students demonstrating the necessary requirements to achieve their grade. A massive congratulations to all the Sligo, Athboy and Heron Dojo students that passed their test . You all done extremely well, keep up the good work. To view course photos click below,
Follow Aikikai Ireland on Facebook
You can now follow Aikikai Ireland on Facebook. The group was kindly set up by Kevin Finn the Aikikai Ireland Public Relations Officer.
For those of you that are on Facebook spread the good word 8).You can also add clubs that are set up on Facebook through the Aikikai Ireland group page too. To see the Aikikai Ireland Facebook page please click the link below.
[Aikikai Ireland on Facebook...]
Article by Cozzi Sensei on Aikido Course in Athboy
appears in Italian Newspaper
The course that was held in Athboy given by Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei 5th Dan Aikikai in March has appeared in an Italian Newspaper last week.
The article was written by Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei and was published in the Eco di Basilicata newspaper on the 15th of April 2010.
In the article Cozzi Sensei describes his visit to Athboy and the excursions that he went on and also the evening entertainment that he sampled on his trip.
You can read the article which is available in both Italian and English by clicking on the link below.
Aikikai Ireland Spring Course 2010 with Quaranta Sensei Report
Pictured above are the newly promoted Shodans Will Baker and PJ Kirke after passing their test at the Aikikai Ireland Spring Course with Michele Quaranta Sensei also in the shot is the lads very own instructor Trevor Pigott Sensei. Well Done Will and PJ!!!!!
For a detailed report of the thoroughly enjoyable course and course photos follow the link(s) below.
Sligo Aikido Club Members complete 10 Kilometer run for dojo
Sligo Aikido Club members Declan Bray, Paul Burns, Loretta Coyne and Eamon Coyne completed the Carney 10 Kilometer run in aid of the Sligo Aikido Club on Monday 5th April 2010. The race was well attended with over 250 people participating on what were very tough conditions.
All club members were very happy to have completed the race and raise funds for the club. A special mention has to be made for Declan and Paul who managed to complete the event in the Veterans section...... Joking aside well done to all, you done yourselves and the dojo proud.
Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei 5th Dan Aikikai Athboy March 2010 Report
On March 12th through to 14th Athboy played host to Fiordineve Cozzi Sensei. The course was enjoyable as always with Cozzi Sensei covering a multitude over the weekend.
The Friday night class started with over 30 children from the Athboy dojo's children's class being put through their paces, doing various techniques and ukemi drills. The kids all gave their sign of approval bt marking the class 100 out of 10. After the kids it was the adults turn.....
Table quiz held in aid of Sligo Aikido Club a great success
A table Quiz was held on Thursday 25th February 2010 in the Harp Tavern in aid of fund raising to purchase tatami for the Sligo Aikido Club. The quiz was a great success with well over a 100 people turning up on the night.
Video Highlight
Hiroshi Tada (多田 宏, ただ ひろ) born December 13, 1929, is a
Japanese Aikido master teacher holding the rank of 9th dan in the Aikikai.
Born in Tokyo, Japan, Tada was a member of the Waseda University karate club before starting training in aikido at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo under the founder of Aikido Morihei Ueshiba in 1948. He was dispatched to Rome, Italy in 1964 where he established the Italian central dojo in 1966.
Tada Sensei also taught the Thursday evening class at Hombu dojo for many years.
Enjoy the clip...
Photo of the Week
Pictured above is Danny Kileen (Sligo Aikido Dojo) and Euridica Toth (Aikido Dojo Tallaght) in action with the Jo at the recent one day course in Sligo.
Article Corner
Editors Choice
The following article is the first part of an interview with Såzen Larsen Kusano Sensei (5th dan) of the Sugino branch of Katori Shinto Ryu. In this article, Såzen Sensei talks about his experiences in Katori Shinto Ryu and in particular the late great swordsmaster Yoshio Sugino Sensei.
Click the link below to check it out..
Motivational Quote
"Suffer the pain of discipline or suffer the pain of regret!"