Who am I?

I grew up in Dublin, Ireland the youngest of four. After secondary school I began an apprenticeship as an electrician and worked all over the city for about three years. I later attended Dublin Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering. In the midst of shuffling between work and school I found kendo...

Kendo became one of the first things I was ever truly passionate about, it motivated my ambition, forced me to test my limits and seek new challenges. I served as the secretary for  Dublin Kendo Kobukai for over a year and fully committed myself to motivating others by setting a good example and always giving 100% in practice. 

After graduating, I moved to Japan to focus on Kendo for a few years. My goal was to pass 3rd Dan, which I did in Ibaraki prefecture in 2012. My second goal was to prepare myself for the 15th World Kendo Championship in Novara, Italy in 2015 where team Ireland made it out of our pool for the first time. 

In 2012, I gave in to the attraction of the bright lights of Tokyo and moved from my sleepy country town to the Meguro district. I lived the vagabond kendoka life, traveling from dojo to dojo, practicing 2-3 times a day. I was a volunteer kendo instructor at a junior high-school , a professional who squeezes practice in after work and a weekend warrior going to as much practice as possible on my time off. 

2015 would be the year I left Japan, but it would also be a year of accomplishment in Kendo. In February I passed my 4th Dan exam on my first attempt in the Tokyo Budokan. From there I continued to push my self with daily practice and exercise towards the 16th World Kendo Championship where Ireland would go on to have great success in both the individual and team events. Once again making it to the top 16 teams in the world. 

Within two weeks of the competition being over, I was unpacking my bags in my new home; New York City. 

I married in 2015 and now live in Manhattan with my wife, I work as an Engineer and attend practice at New York City Kendo Club (as well as a few others). I plan on continuing to write this blog for as long as possible, and so long as people continue to show interest. 

Thanks as always for reading...

With Takanabe Susumu at the 15th World Championship in Novara Italy.