Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu in Ranelagh

I have been training in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu for a while now and it has been the best thing I ever did. I travel to Monkstown for training as it has the best competition coach, competing being the reason I train. Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport in the world and BJJ has jumped on the bandwagon. BJJ is the submission element and is not a traditional martial art, rather this is the most modern of fighting styles.

In the past few years the sport has grown hugely and now, unsurprisingly, has spread to Ranelagh also. BJJ Blackbelt Jorge Santos recently moved his training to The Mews, 22 Main St, Ranelagh. He is intending to hold classes in both mornings and evenings and I would highly recommend anyone to go down and give it a go!

From Monday 18th July.
The time table is : Mornings - Monday/Wednesday/Friday - 7am to 8am
Afternoons - Monday/Wednesday/Friday - 3pm to 5pm
Evenings - Monday to Friday - 7pm to 9pm

For prices please check our Facebook page here.
All these classes are mixed Gi/NoGi.
If there is interest we will put on more classes.
also if there is interest we will put on just NoGi classes.

Change Continues!

Ranelagh has continued to evolve and change, much of this brought about by tough economic circumstances.

Recent additions which have been a success include Kinara Kitchen, Ranelagh Village Market, The Butchers Grill, Eatery 120 and of course the addition of Superquinn a few years back. Of course this does also mean that we have seen some go like Mint and Headcases.

Ranelagh has seen itself grow into somewhat of a Mecca for good food and bars. Now we see that along with Yoga Dublin which I wrote a previous article about, other healthy options are arriving.

Next to Superquinn, at the entrance to the Ranelagh Village Market, a gym has opened which offers a range of pilates classes, weights, treadmills and also something dear to my heart, Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu.

Being a resident I love the restaurants, bars and general buzz around Ranelagh. However, I hope it diversifies and doesn't overload with restaurants as there is only so much business. I feel that with so much competition there will be good restaurants that will lose out due to the location and would hate to see big chains come in and push the smaller players out.

Ranelagh Joins in Yoga Boom!

Even as the economy twists us all in knots, this mind-body discipline created a millennia ago in India appears to be thriving, with more kinds of classes offering new adherents a soothing respite from today’s troubles. The yoga boom hit Ireland just over five years ago and it wasn't long before it caught on in Dublin 6.

In 2004, Colm Walsh set up 'Yoga Dublin Studios' in Ranelagh with the intention of bringing the consistency and facilities that a well-run yoga studios provide to a broader community than that of the school halls, gyms and community centres he had been previously teaching in. An active member of the community, Colms family have been living here for almost a century.

Don't be fooled by the title, 'Yoga Dublin Studios' offers more than basic yoga. They offer all types of yoga, pilates, pre and post natal yoga, baby massage, mum and baby yoga classes, tai chi, massage, osteopathy, amatsu and physical therapies. As they say in the yoga world, "yoga is for everyone, but not everyone is for yoga". If you would like to find out if your for yoga, start here!

Photo: Yoga lovers on an Anusara yoga training weekend with Colm Walsh

Dylan McGrath - Ranelaghs Michelin Man

In May 2006, Dylan McGrath took up the Head Chefs position at Mint Restaurant in Ranelagh. Mint is Ranelaghs only ever michelin star restaurant, and we probably still wouldn't have one if it wasn't for Dylan. Dylan has a long history with Michelin star restaurants such as Roscoff, Commons Restaurant and John Burton-Race's two-star Michelin restaurant, L'Ortolan's.

Dylan McGrath was, in effect, Mint's saviour. Only with a chef that could produce food that lived up to the prices would the restaurant have survived, especially in our current economic climate. In a village where restaurants rule, Mint is no doubt, the king! One of only six Michelin recognised restaurants in Ireland, Mint is definitely something for Ranelagh to be proud of and Dylan McGrath is due all of the credit.

The Ranelagh Players

Over the past number of years, the Ranelagh Players has grown from an idea to a reality, performing once a year for the last four years. The Ranelagh Players have also been involved in the Ranelagh Arts festival, with some small but very interesting performances. This year, with a more experienced cast than ever, The Ranelagh Players will be performing an adaptation of "An Ideal Husband" by Oscar Wilde from the 2nd-4th of April 2009 at 8pm in Scoil Bhride, Oakley Road.

Tickets are €12 for adults and €6 for children with wine, soft-drinks and sweets available. Please try and make it down. It's important to support those who bring our community together, these groups put in vast amounts of effort. Another valid reason would be that they are also surprisingly talented actors!!

For info on tickets call 087-2702477

Ranelagh, A Social Haven

As one of the closest suburbs to Dublin city centre, Ranelagh has always been a vibrant town with many amenities. Now, a modern hangout for social networkers, fine diners and yummy mummies, Ranelagh has come a long way! Long gone is the old Harcourt-line that brought this town to life over a century ago!;

Above is a photograph of an old harcourt-line tram leaving Ranelagh for the city centre.

I have set up this blog for the people of ranelagh as a place to reflect on old times and discuss times ahead. I will focus on the small-medium enterprises that have kept this town alive and ensure its popularity today. It's important that we support our town and those who promote Ranelagh also. I will be posting links on events as well as organisations who benefit the community.

Stay Tuned.