Arklow Fitness #1 - Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy

Arklow Fitness #1 - Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy

Staying in shape is something a lot of people worry about, and yet we all find it difficult to find the time and commitment to find a form of exercise that we can really stick with long term. Luckily Arklow now has more and more gyms and fitness centres, and there are more opportunities to not just build fitness levels, but also get to meet people around the town as opposed to more solitary fitness pursuits like jogging.

Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy opened it's doors late last year, and I've been training there since the start of the new year in a desperate attempt at a new years resolution to stay in shape. I'd previously tried boxing, kickboxing and rugby but dropped out around the one or two month mark as my commitment levels and real life took more and more of my desire to train away. And yet I'm still training at the academy because I fell in love with Brazillian Jiu Jitsu about ten minutes into my first training session.

It's always a little bit intimidating stepping into a new place for the first time. You assure yourself it's going to be fine but you still have no idea what to expect, especially when you aren't even sure what Brazilian Jiu Jitsu even is. For those wondering, it's a grappling based martial art that focuses more on chokes, joint manipulation and submission in order to make your opponent tap out. It sounds rougher than it is but in reality everyone that trains in Arklow is always supportive and wants to help you improve at jiu jitsu, not to repeatedly make you tap out.

When I first set foot in the academy I met the instructors Dean Barry and Brian Kelly, whose friendliness and good humour immediately made me feel very at home and comfortable right away. As I trained more and more I saw just how much passion both Brian and Dean have for the martial art, and to help everyone improve. If you are stuck on a particular technique or have any questions they'll be happy to explain it to you so you don't feel left behind. Everyone that trains there is also very friendly and helpful, so if you're confused about a technique don't worry, everyone is more than happy to help. I found this out during my first few sessions where I was confused at just about everything, but I picked it up eventually and now find myself helping others if they ask because I remember how helpful everyone was with me.

Instructors Brian Kelly (left) and Dean Barry (right) with young star Lexi. 

If you're worried that you might not be fit enough or maybe a bit too past your prime to start your BJJ journey you need not worry. No matter your age or level of fitness, everyone is completely wrecked after their first session. You use muscles that you didn't realize you had, and full disclosure, you will feel more than a bit stiff the day after. But this doesn't last for ever and you soon find yourself counting down the hours till you get to go again. Injury is always a possibility, but it's not as common as in a striking martial art or even a sport like rugby because the focus is more on technique and submissions. You won't have to explain any black eyes to anyone unless you just happen to be very unlucky, I myself caught a knee in the side of the head which was a complete accident, but it does happen. If you do happen to get injured you will be taken care of, and again I think I've only seen this once since the start of the year.

 A typical beginners session will consist of a dynamic warm up that will fire up the muscles you will be using. Then you get into pairs and go through three or four techniques that are shown to you beforehand just so you get used to actually doing the technique on another person. I found it easier to bring someone with me in the early days of training because I wanted to train with someone at a similar skill level to me (No skill at all) but to be honest I was just as comfortable training with the other students because we all just wanted to learn. The final ten minutes of the session will then be sparring, or "rolling" as its known in BJJ, which is used to test out your new technique on someone who is now resisting you doing it to them and actively trying to escape or put you in a hold of their own.

If you have prior experience in BJJ or have been taking beginners classes for a while and have a good understanding of the basic concepts you then move up to the mixed class where you learn more advanced techniques and do some more rolling to try out what you've been learning. There is a competition team at the academy but there is no obligation to train for tournaments or anything. If you want to learn the basics and get fit then you are more than welcome to. There are also CombatFit classes that let you train like a fighter without the risk of getting hurt (which will be covered in a future blog post). There are kids classes too which cover the ages of 4 to 12 which focus more on co-ordination, discipline and techniques in a fun atmosphere.

Overall what keeps me going to the Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy is the friendly atmosphere and sense of achievement and progression. Classes are laid out like a proper curriculum, you build up a good knowledge of the basics and then move on from there. You get out of it what you put in to it. And in the environment that the instructors have created you feel like a part of the family, everyone wants to help you improve and reach your goals no matter what they are. So if you want to get fit, try out a new martial art and make a lot of new friends then I highly recommend you come down and meet everyone and see if Brazillian Jiu Jitsu is for you. I'll see you on the mats.

Arnkell Jiu Jitsu Academy has classes running seven days a week, and your first week of training is absolutely free. If you want to get in touch you can find them on Facebook by clicking here or contacting them by phone at 087 180 2058.  

Things To Do In Arklow #1- Arklow Maritime Museum

Things to do in Arklow #1 - Arklow Maritime Museum

Arklow has had a long and illustrious maritime history. Ever since the Vikings first landed here and dubbed the tiny plot of land "Arnkell", the sea has almost been the veins that flowed into Arklow providing it with prosperity right up to the turn of the 20th century when Arklow was Ireland's finest fishing port.

The Arklow Maritime museum is a tribute to the strong sea faring history and tradition of the town. The museum relocated to a space at the Bridgewater Centre, and from the outside it looks deceptively small, tucked away between a cafe and the local Eddie Rockets restaurant. But appearances can be very deceiving as we came up the stairs and saw a giant space packed with just under two thousand individual pieces of  maritime memorabilia.

The museum has been around for about thirty years, but its new location is very crisp and clean. It doesn't feel like museums I've been too before where everything feels dusty and hidden away. This history is here to be celebrated. The view of the Avoca river from the balcony is also stunning, and the fact that the port is just a few minutes down the road gives you the sense that you are standing in the centre where all this history happened so many years ago.

The view for the balcony, even on a cloudy day it looks stunning.

When you enter the museum, the people there are friendly and incredibly knowledgeable about the great amount of history that has happened over the hundreds of years that Arklow has existed, and how its maritime roots allowed it to thrive. We got to watch a short fifteen minute documentary about the history of Arklows maritime roots and then spent a good hour exploring the exhibit. There is so much to see and learn about, and some of the facts are guaranteed to surprise you.


It's so interesting to look at the exhibits and learn about the experiences and accomplishments of men and women from Arklow, and its fantastic to have a place where they can be remembered and respected.

A womans shoe obtained during the sinking
of the HMS Lusitania 

Its also incredible to hear just how much Arklow had an impact on the world in times gone by. The very first RNLI station was established in Arklow one hundred and eighty years ago, with a some of the artifacts from the period now in the museum. When the HMS Lusitania was sunk in May 1915, it was two Arklow captains who were the first on the scene to try and provide assistance to the people overboard. The museum contains both the medals received by German
officers who shot the Lusitania down, and also the shoe of a woman who fell overboard one hundred and one years ago.

If I were to try and explain every part of the museum and every one of the nearly two thousand exhibits I would most probably be writing a book on the subject. But if you're in the area and have a few hours to kill it's definitely worth your while popping in to the Arklow Maritime Museum and seeing for yourself just how much impact the sea had on Arklow, and just how much impact Arklow had on the sea.

If you'd like to find out more about the Arklow Maritime Museum you can visit their website at http://www.arklowmaritimeheritage.ie/ or you can find them on Facebook 

Restaurant Review #1 - Christy's

I am by no stretch of the imagination a food critic. I've never had poached quail, or duck a l'orange or been to a restaurant where you pay 57 euro for a tiny plate with some pretentious fluff on it. I'm just a regular person who likes to go out occasionally and treat myself. When I do go out, I want to try some good food with some good company in a good restaurant. Because I know that if I have a bad experience it will be quite a while before I get another chance to go out again.

Friday was just such an occasion. Couldn't be bothered to cook and have some free time? Let's go to Christy's and give the food a try. I'm no stranger to Christy's, but usually it was for a few drinks with friends. I'd only tried the food once before, but with so many restaurants and places to get food in the town it can get lost in the shuffle and is usually an afterthought on the list of "Where do we want to eat tonight?" restaurants. But Friday was the day we picked Christys, and we headed off, not quite sure of what to expect.

As I entered, the first thing that struck me was the friendly atmosphere. People said hello as we came in, the waitresses were warm, friendly and had the patient of a saint as we took almost 15 minutes just to decide what we wanted from the menu. It can only be a good thing when you have a serious dilemma just decided what you want when everything on the menu sounds so delicious! I was slightly worried that because we sat in a little built in alcove, we'd be forgotten about by the waitress as you couldn't really see us, but that turned out not to be the case and we (eventually) decided on what to eat.

The alcove in question, great for privacy, and the waiting staff don't forget about you.

 Pretty much everything on the menu sounded fantastic, but it was when I got a slip of paper with he days specials on it that I knew exactly what I was getting. Normally I'm not a big fish eater, but for some reason the hake goujons and chips were almost calling out to me, and when they arrived they certainly delivered. They tasted incredibly, and with a lime mayo dip that just added to the flavor I honestly think I could have eaten another twenty and taken a few more home to have the next day. I honestly wish I'd taken a photo of the presentation, but I was so wrapped up in how great they were that I'd already eaten them. Probably another good sign. I'm now honestly considering starting a campaign to get those goujons on the menu permanently, they were incredible. The only criticism I could offer was that the chips had an odd texture to them, but I was the only one at the table who had that complaint.

The outdoor area, for the one day in twenty that the weather is nice.

The atmosphere is welcoming, everyone is friendly and the food is excellent. After my experience on Friday I can't recommend Christy's highly enough, pop in for lunch or dinner on a lazy afternoon and I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Arklow History #1 - The Abbey Graveyard

The Abbey Graveyard is located off the main street of Arklow Town, next to the site of Brennans Electrical and it's car park. It feels strange to see a place that was once the focal point of the town now in a car park, the clash between Arklows past and present. But it is even stranger when you step inside and feel a sense of tranquility and peace.

The Site of the Abbey Graveyard (left)

The Main Gate

The graveyard was originally the 'Priory of Holy Cross' or Arklow Abbey, and was founded in 1263. For 275 years ,until it's suppression in 1539, the Abbey played a central role in the religious life of Arklow. It was a place of pilgrimage to venerate a relic of the true cross. Unfortunately the original structure fell into ruin due to suppression of the monasteries by Henry VIII from the 1540s. The only surviving piece of the original structure is thought to be the granite cross in the centre of the graveyard, and its only surviving relic is a liturgical book dating from 1320 which is currently in the Lambeth Palace Library of London. 

The only surviving relic from the original abbey is though to be this granite cross in the centre circle of graves

The Abbey had always been used for burials, with important people buried within the structure and lesser people on the social structure buried as close to the Abbey as possible. This was due to the belief that the closer you were buried to the Abbey, the closer you would be to eternal salvation. There are currently 116 memorials currently standing or lying horizontal. Inscribed stones were placed from 1716, with plain marker stones placed much earlier (but unfortunately were pillaged for building materials). 

A memorial with a record the details of some of Arklows founding sons, with a history of the graveyard. 

Living in Arklow, it's a strange feeling that a place with so much history is located in such a central location, especially with the modern architecture surrounding it. But entering the grounds and taking a seat on one of the benches is a wonderful experience, everything seems to go quiet and you get a real sense of history, the many who have come before you and now rest here.