Some time has passed since the AGM this year. Having been elected President of the Iaido Association of Ireland earlier this year I would like to update you all every few month know on what has and is happening at the moment at the Iaido Association of Ireland.

On the administration side of things we are currently working on updating the members register, collecting the annual membership fees and are in the process of renewing our insurance, so that there will be uninterrupted insurance cover for all our members. We are also working on the design of our new membership cards and hoping to be able to distribute them in May 2008 to all our current members.

For Masamune Dojo Ireland Neil has found a new home and this new venue will get included on our new insurance and thus training should be able to start soon in this new location in Bray. As soon as everything has been confirmed, we will announce the new location and time.

Kensekai Ireland Dojo is currently searching for a venue to start teaching Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu, but currently Nick and Björn are spending most of their time preparing for the trip to Japan, leaving Ireland on the 23rd April, to participate in the DNBK’s 3rd World Botoku Sai. We are hoping to be able to send you regular updates and pictures of this historical event taking place in Kyoto.

Just recently we had the opportunity to welcome David Ansell, 5th Dan Muso Shinden Ryu and a member of the DNBK, in our Dojo for a Sunday morning seminar in our Hobu Dojo in the Martial Arts Academy. Dave spent some time to cast an eye over Nick’s and Björn’s Iaido to ensure the high standards of the DNBK are satisfied and then was able to demonstrated the variations of katas and differences between Muso Shinden, Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu and Seitei. I would like to thank Dave for coming over from the UK and we are looking forward to seeing him again soon – as he will as well be going to Japan.

I also would like to congratulate Gee Walter of Masamune Dojo Ireland on his achievement, having been awarded Shodan recently. Thanks to our connections to teachers in the UK we are able to provide our students with regular opportunities for grading and I would like to thank all our supports in the UK from Kensekei Dojos and Masamune for their help.

Have a good time and continue the good work!

Björn