Instructor Profiles

Sensei Gerard Walsh

Sensei Gerard Walsh began the Zanshin club in 2008 when he contacted Liam, Keith and Proinsias with a view towards getting a training group started in Portalington Community Centre. The Zanshin clubs grew out of this training group. Gerard has previously trained in boxing, and his special area of interest is in the correct performance of kihon (basics) and in the generation of kime (focus). He is a strong believer in the importance of delivering ippon (finishing blow). Sensei Gerard holds the rank of Nidan in Shotokan Karate and mainly teaches in the Portarlington dojo.

Sensei Liam Darcy

Sensei Liam began his training in Kenpo Karate in Dublin, and achieved the rank of Shodan. After moving to Westmeath, he began to train in Shotokan, and currently holds the rank of Nidan. Liam is particularly interested in kumite (sparring) . He achieved considerable success as a competitive fighter and has coached the Zanshin squad to victory in many tournaments. He is also interested in other martial arts, having trained in Kenpo, Kyokushin Karate and especially in Llanera Eskrima, a Filipino martial art in which he holds the rank of Guro Lakan (black belt instructor).  Liam has been personally licenced by Grand Master Llanera to teach his stick-fighting system. He mainly instructs in the Kinnegad dojo.

Sensei Keith Walsh

Sensei Keith holds the rank of Sandan in Shotokan Karate, and has also trained in other combat systems. He has an interest in the development of fitness as applied to martial arts and regularly practices Yoga. Keith has a particular interest in the correct performance of kata (forms) and is well-regarded for his technically precise style of Karate.He feels that karateka need to pay attention to the details in every technique. Keith mainly instructs in the Portarlington dojo.

Sensei Proinsias Ó Fearghail

Sensei Proinsias began his martial arts training in Mullingar under Sensei George O' Donnell. After that club closed, he began training in Tullamore,under Sensei Glenn Quinn,  where he met Gerard, Keith and Liam. Proinsias has a particular interest in kata bunkai (applications from forms) and close-quarter fighting. He holds the rank of Sandan in Shotokan Karate and the rank of Guro Lakan in Llanera Eskrima. Grand Master Llanera has personally licenced him to teach his stick-fighting system. Proinsias enjoys cross training with other martial artists from other styles, such as Kenpo, Kyokushin and Ju-Jutsu. Proinsias mainly teaches at the Kinnegad dojo.


Sensei Paul Thackaberry

Sensei Paul joined Zanshin in 2011. A keen traditional karateka, he has great experience in kumite (sparring) and his junior club in Portarlington has made a great impact on the local tournament scene. Sensei Paul is a keen exponent of shobu-ippon and WKF style kumite, and is recognised as a fair and expert judge in sparring competitions. Sensei Paul holds the rank of Sandan in Shotokan Karate.

Sensei Fergus Fenlon

Sensei Fergus began his Karate training in 2004, under Sensei Glenn Quinn.After a brief absence, he resumed his training with Zanshin. He was present at the first ever Zanshin training session in November 2008. Fergus has been a commited Zanshin assistant instructor for many years. He became a full instructor in July 2013. Fergus is known for his stong kicking skills. He mainly teaches in the Portarlington dojo. Sensei Fergus holds the rank of Shodan in Shotokan Karate.

Sensei Ollie Henchy

Sensei Ollie began his Karate training in 2004, under Sensei Glenn Quinn. He changed over to Zanshin in November 2008, and was present at our first-ever training session in Portarlington. Ollie has been a commited Zanshin assistant instructor for many years. He trains hard and never gives up! He became a full instructor in July 2013. Sensei Ollie holds the rank of Shodan in Shotokan Karate. He mainly teaches in the Portarlington dojo.