KEELAN GANNON
3rd Dan
Keelan began karate lessons in Sligo when he was 8, achieving his 1st dan black belt at 16 and his 2nd dan at 18. With encouragement from his Sensei he began teaching kids classes and stumbled upon his passion.
In 2020, Keelan qualified as a PE and Biology teacher from DCU, however he chose to pursue his passion in karate teaching.
After many years of teaching for different groups in Sligo, Keelan set up Ealaín Karate Dojo in 2021 and has been a full time instructor ever since.
In November 2021, Keelan completed the month long trainee instructor internship at the HDKI Hombu Dojo HQ in Dublin.
Keelan is now an instructor at the Hombu Dojo in Dublin, where he teaches and trains with the HDKI founder Scott Langley, 7th dan.
In September 2022 at the first HDKI International Seminar and Cup, he passed his 3rd Dan black belt under a panel of Guy Brueder (Canada) 8th Dan, Ricardo Gallina (Mexico) 7th Dan and Scott Langley (Ireland) 7th Dan. At the same event he won the senior male kumite event becoming the first HDKI International Male Kumite Champion.
Keelan is the current HDKI National Male Kata Champion, winning gold in May 2024.
Keelan teaches in the Strandhill Dojo on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Outside of karate, Keelan holds a keen interest in music and is currently working on new projects with his band.
LAOISE GANNON
2nd Dan
Laoise began karate when she was 5, achieving her 1st Dan black belt at 11 and her 2nd Dan at 18.
Laoise began assisting teaching at Ealaín Karate Dojo, with her brother, from its establishment. She spent a year as a teaching apprentice, with Keelan, before moving onto teaching her own classes
Laoise has competed both Nationally and Internationally, winning medals in both kata and kumite events. In May 2024 she won a sliver medal in the Senior Female Kumite Category at the HDKI National Championships.
Laoise has spent time both teaching and training at the HDKI Hombu Dojo in Dublin.
She brings an energetic teaching style to all her classes and has amassed a lot of teaching experience for her young age.
Laoise teaches in the Mullinabreena Dojo and Moylough Dojo on a Saturday.
Outside of karate Laoise has a passion for art and is currently studying graphic design in NCAD.
AARON MCCLOAT
2nd Dan
Aaron began karate lessons in his local hall in the Jersey Channel Islands when he was 4. He then moved to Jersey Shotokan Karate Club where he trained alongside his younger brother, under Bill Gorthy 8th Dan, TSKA. It was here where Aaron was exposed to many experienced karate-ka, developed his passion for karate, and graded to 1st kyu.
Aaron and his family moved to Sligo in 2018, and he began training with Keelan. In June 2021, he passed his 1st dan black belt. In September 2023, he passed his 2nd dan under a panel of Scott Langley (Ireland), Gabriel Van Rel (England) and Ross Stewart (Scotland).
In September 2022, Aaron started working as a trainee instructor with Ealaín Karate Dojo before teaching his own classes.
In April 2024, Aaron won the Highest Achieving Sportsperson of the Year award at the ATU Sligo Clubs and Society Awards night, for his achievements in karate.
Aaron has a fun yet technical teaching style, with a keen focus on body mechanics. Aaron teaches midweek at the Strandhill Dojo and Friday in the Ballisodare Dojo.
Outside of karate, Aaron is studying construction in college. He has a passion for guitar playing and all things outdoors.
COLIN FRIEL
3rd Dan
Colin started martial arts as a teenager training in Kung Fu and Taekwondo.
He took up Shotokan Karate in 2008, joining M.A.S.K Karate Club.
He graded Shodan in 2014 under George Reilly I.S.K.U., joined Faolchu’ Karate Club in 2015, graded to Nedan in 2017 under IMAF Europe President Jens Fricke.
He graded Sandan in 2020 also under Jens Fricke IMAF.
He also passed Shodan in Nihon Taiho Jutsu in 2019 in Germany under Jens Fricke IMAF.
Colin set up the hugely successful T.S.K Karate Club in Ballaghaderreen in 2018, a sister HDKI club who we frequently run events with.
Colin is new on board with Ealaín Karate Dojo for September 2024 and we're delighted to have him on board.
Colin teaches at the Ballymote Dojo on Mondays.