Andrzej Kowalczyk 1st Dan Aikikai - Instructor

Recieved a solid base training in Poland under Tomasz Lichnowski Sensei, where he reached the level of 5th kyu. After moving to Sligo, continued to train under Simone Chierchini Sensei. During those years he had a chance to travel and train hard under many great teachers.
At one stage he became Chierchini Sensei's uchideshi (live-in-student/side-kick :) ) and started teaching kids classes and ocassional beginners classes. In 2009 he passed a double grade, recieving a dan grade.
In 2010 he opened Ichidou Dojo, where he teaches on a regular basis.

Personally, he's a proud geek, passionate about photography, design and web development. 

Anita McGarry - Assistant Instructor

Simone Chierchini Sensei - 5th Dan Aikikai - Technical Instructor

Born in Rome (Italy) in 1964. His father was a founding member of the Italian Aikikai (1964) and introduced Simone to the practice of Aikido when he was 8 years old (1972). During his over 30 years Aikido career, Simone Chierchini had the opportunity to study under some of the most qualified Japanese Instructors in the world. He practised for two years (1972-1974) under H.Tada 9th Dan, a direct student of the founder of Aikido, Morihei Ueshiba. From 1975 to 1986 he was student of H. Hosokawa 7th Dan, student and successor of Tada Sensei at Rome Aikikai Dojo. In 1986, Simone moved to Milan to improve his Aikido skills under Y.Fujimoto 7th Dan, a student of Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba. He practised with Fujimoto Sensei for a five year period (1986-1991), at the end of which he opened his first Dojo. In 1992 he started practising Katori Shinto Ryu, the oldest school of Japanese Sword-Fighting in the world. In 1996 Simone moved to Ireland and started up the Aikido Organisation of Ireland. In July 2001 Ueshiba Moriteru, Aikido Doshu, granted official Hombu Dojo recognition to the Aikido Organisation of Ireland for teaching Aikido in Ireland. Simone is Aikido 5th Dan since 2008.