Tag Archive for: Ireland Japan Association

Ireland Japan Association Honoured with Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation

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The Ireland Japan Association is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Commendation of the Foreign Minister of Japan, a prestigious recognition presented to organisations and individuals worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to strengthening ties with Japan.

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This honour acknowledges the IJA’s decades of work promoting economic, cultural, and educational connections between Ireland and Japan. In 2025, the IJA joins a distinguished group of 58 organisations and 173 individuals worldwide receiving the award.

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In its commendation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan noted:

“The IJA has helped not only to promote and develop economic and business relations between Japan and Ireland for many years, but also to promote Japanese language education and to foster human resource development in Japanese studies in Ireland. The IJA also runs regular workshops where participants can experience traditional Japanese culture. Through these and other activities, the IJA facilitates people-to-people exchanges while strengthening and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and Ireland.”

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Founded in 1990 from the merger of the Ireland Japan Society (est. 1969) and the Ireland Japan Economic Association (est. 1974), the IJA has been a cornerstone of Ireland-Japan relations for more than 35 years. Its mission has always been to act as a bridge between the two countries, creating opportunities for collaboration in business, culture, and education.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the IJA, said:

“We are deeply honoured to receive this commendation from the Government of Japan. It is a powerful recognition of the work the IJA has carried out to support economic cooperation and trade links between Ireland and Japan, alongside our cultural and educational programmes. For more than three decades, our Association has been dedicated to fostering lasting connections, and this award is a testament to the strength of the friendship between our two nations.”

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About the Foreign Minister’s Commendations
The Foreign Minister’s Commendations are presented annually to individuals and groups with exceptional achievements in international fields, recognising their role in promoting friendship between Japan and other countries. The award also raises awareness within Japan of the recipients’ contributions to international exchange.
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IJA Annual Dinner Grand Prize Winner Plans Dream Trip to Japan!

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We are excited to share that the winner of the IJA Annual Dinner 2025 Grand Prize, Peter Callaghan, is now planning his unforgettable journey to Japan.
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Peter won an incredible prize – return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka – generously sponsored by our 2025 Travel Partners, Finnair and Oomi Travel.

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Grand Prize winner Peter Callaghan (centre) with Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel (left) and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Finnair/ATTS (right)

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Here’s what Peter had to say about winning:

‘I was shocked when my number was called out. I have never won anything like that, and then to win such a fantastic prize! It didn’t really sink in till later, and when I told my wife, she was absolutely thrilled – this trip is a bucket list experience for her.’

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Although Peter has travelled to Tokyo many times for work, this will be his first time exploring beyond the capital. Together with his wife, he plans to discover the rich history, traditions, and stunning landscapes of Osaka, Kyoto, and Hiroshima – from majestic temples to breathtaking scenery.

.‘I am so grateful to Finnair and Oomi Travel for their incredible generosity and their kind arrangements for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.’ 

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We extend our sincere thanks to our Grand Prize Sponsors and valued IJA 2025 Travel Partners: Finnair and Oomi Travel for their generous support.

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A Celebration of Ireland-Japan Friendship: Highlights from the IJA Annual Dinner 2025

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The Ireland Japan Association would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for the IJA Annual Dinner 2025, held on Friday, 16th May at the luxurious Conrad Hotel in Dublin.

This special evening was a celebration of friendship, culture, and the strong connections between Ireland and Japan. It was a pleasure to welcome our members, friends, supporters, and special guests for a night of networking, cultural appreciation, and shared experiences.

 

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson:

“It’s incredible how we (IJA) have evolved from being a cultural society with an admirable mission into a thriving community built upon three foundational pillars: Business, Education and Culture. It’s these three intersecting pillars that make the IJA a unique, vibrant association.

In recent years, we have accelerated our growth not just in numbers but also in impact.

Our individual members, many of whom are here this evening, remain at the heart of this association. Your enthusiasm brings inspiration and energy to everything we do. Whether it is our ever-popular weekly conversation groups, the Book Club, or our amazing and varied workshops, it is your presence that gives these events meaning and success.

Equally, shining a light on our corporate members – you are the engine that allows us to do more and reach further. You play an increasingly vital role in our development. Your support, especially in recent years, has allowed us to scale our ambitions – to deliver high-quality business forums like our Fireside Chat Series, to continue our Ushioda Scholarship Programme, and to invest in wonderful events such as The Japan Experience at Farmleigh. You are not just members of this association; you are partners in advancing the Ireland–Japan relationship.”

 

We were honoured by the presence of our Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, who joined us as Guest of Honour along with his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada. We were also privileged to welcome Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General at JETRO London, along with representatives from the Irish and Japanese business, diplomatic, academic, and cultural communities.

IJA Council and corporate members together with Annual Dinner Special Guests: IJA Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, and his wife, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada, Mr. Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mr. Hideo Yura, Director General at JETRO London.

 

Ambassador Shimada and Minister Chambers delivered speeches congratulating the IJA on another successful year, and emphasised the association’s vital role in strengthening the Ireland-Japan relationship. On behalf of the Irish Government, Minister Chambers also thanked Catherine Grennell-Whyte for her leadership, dedication, and achievements.

 

IJA Patron, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland

 

Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation

 

The evening featured a sake and prosecco reception, a delicious three-course dinner, engaging speeches, and a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture and tradition. Guests enjoyed a carefully curated menu with accompanying wine and had the chance to win incredible prizes during the raffle draw – including the grand prize: return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka, Japan, generously sponsored by our 2025 Travel Partners – Finnair and Oomi Travel.

 

The lucky winner of the Grand Prize together with Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Finnair. The prize included return flight tickets and a one-week travel package for two to Osaka, Japan, generously sponsored by IJA 2025 Travel Partners – Finnair and Oomi Travel.

 

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our raffle prize sponsors for their generosity and support:
Azumi Uchitani, Dillon Eustace, Eddie Hughes, Fitzwilliam Capital, SuMi TRUST, Yamamori, Neil Cowhey and Laura Goonan.

Special thanks also go to the Dublin School for Japanese Children who prepared beautiful origami decorations for our dinner guests – a thoughtful gesture that added charm to each table and honoured Japan’s rich cultural heritage.

 

 

We are truly grateful to the team at Conrad Dublin for their excellent service, warm hospitality, and meticulous attention to detail, all of which ensured the evening ran smoothly.

We deeply appreciate the ongoing support of our members and community, and we look forward to many more opportunities to connect, collaborate, and strengthen the ties between Ireland and Japan in the future.

Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you once again for being part of this special celebration!

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 – Video Highlights

Photos: Shane Cullen, K9 Studio

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson (Finnair/ATTS) and Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson (Dillon Eustace)

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and H.E. Mr. Junji Shimda, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Raymond Hegarty, IJA Council

 

Raymond Hegarty, IJA Council and Master of Ceremonies

 

Teresa Weafer, Google Ireland, William Smyth, Fitzwilliam Capital, Graham Ryan, Yamamori Group, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

Saara Heinola, Embassy of Finland in Ireland, Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan in Ireland, Mrs. Kaoru Shimada and Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel

 

Peter Vambeck, Fitzwilliam Capital, Saara Heinola, Embassy of Finland in Ireland, Graham Ryan, Yamamori Group, William Smyth, Fitzwilliam Capital, Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada.

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson

 

Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Jack Chambers, Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation

 

H.E. Mr. Junji Shimada, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Mrs. Kaoru Shimada

 

Oomi Travel team with Darina Slattery, founder of Oomi Travel and Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson (Finnair) – with the IJA Annual Dinner 2025 Grand Prize ticket

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

IJA Annual Dinner 2025 | Conrad Dublin

 

We gratefully acknowledge the sponsors of the raffle prizes for the IJA Annual Dinner 2025!

IJA Annual General Meeting 2025 | Review

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The 35th Annual General Meeting for the Ireland Japan Association took place on Tuesday, 25th March 2025. Meeting was held as a hybrid event with members attending in person and remotely via Zoom platform.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Chairperson of the Ireland Japan Association (IJA), opened the meeting by expressing her heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former IJA Chair Michael Darcy on his passing. She highlighted Michael’s pivotal role in the Association, acknowledging his dedication, passion, and leadership in strengthening ties between Ireland and Japan. His invaluable contributions helped shape the IJA into what it is today, and his unwavering commitment to the community will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. While his presence will be greatly missed, his legacy will continue to inspire.

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Chairperson’s Report

Catherine Grennell-Whyte introduced attendees to the Chairperson’s Report for 2024, which outlined the Association’s key activities, achievements, and challenges over the past year.

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Over the past 12 months, the Ireland Japan Association has continued to expand its community, hosting 23 events across cultural, business, and networking sectors. These included language courses, business forums, and cultural workshops, reflecting the growing interest in Irish-Japanese relations. Membership has also seen growth, with six new corporate members and seven new individual members joining in 2024.

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The Chairperson expressed deep appreciation to the Council Members, volunteers, corporate partners, and sponsors for their dedication and support. Special thanks were extended to the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, former Ambassador Maruyama, and a warm welcome was given to Ambassador Shimada and his wife as he begins his tenure in Ireland.

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The Chairperson concluded by thanking IJA members for their continued support and engagement, emphasizing the Association’s commitment to strengthening ties between Ireland and Japan in the years ahead.

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Financial Statements 2024

Summary of the IJA Financial Statements for 2024 was presented with the AGM participants by Vice Chairperson Tsugumi Yamamoto, membership subscription fees were discussed and approved for 2025/2026 and the new IJA Council members were announced.

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Council Elections 2025

Catherine Grennell-Whyte informed that for the 2025 elections, the IJA received a sufficient number of nominations to meet the constitutional requirements for Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, allowing both positions to be filled without requiring a vote. For the Ordinary Council seats, 13 nominations were received – six corporate and seven individual members. The elections were conducted via the online voting platform ElectionBody from Tuesday, March 11, to Tuesday, March 18, 2024. The results were reviewed and certified by an independent assessor, IJA Auditor Stephen Power.

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The Chairperson extended sincere gratitude to all outgoing council members for their dedication, participation, and teamwork during their tenure. As per the IJA Constitution, members must step down after three years of service. The following council members were thanked for their contributions: Tsugumi Yamamoto, Vice-Chairperson, Hiro Ino, Individual Member, Jonathan Kelly, Individual Member.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Neil Cowhey, IJA Vice Chairperson

 

The newly elected IJA Council for 2025:

Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson

  1. Catherine Grennell-Whyte, ATTS/Finnair (Chairperson)
  2. Neil Cowhey, Dillon Eustace (Vice Chairperson)

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Corporate Members:

  1. Atsushi Kadota, ElectroRoute
  2. Darina Slattery, Oomi Travel
  3. David Tyrrell, NTT Data
  4. Graham Ryan, Yamamori
  5. Peter Vambeck, Fitzwilliam Capital
  6. Yuka Nagano, Clerkin Lynch

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Individual Members:

  1. Azumi Uchitani, IJA Individual Member
  2. Eddie Hughes, IJA Individual Member
  3. Maria Mardiki, IJA Individual Member
  4. Paula Kelly, IJA Individual Member
  5. Raymond Hegarty, IJA Individual Member
  6. Verity Swan, IJA Individual Member

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Not on Council but invited to attend meetings:

  1. Keiko Nakata, Embassy of Japan (Honorary Member)

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IJA Fireside Chat Series: A Conversation with Joan Mulvihill | Photo Gallery

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On Thursday, 27th February, we were delighted to host the second event in our exclusive IJA Fireside Chat Series, in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Ireland.
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A huge thank you to all participants for engaging in our insightful discussion on ‘Leadership and the Art of Digital Transformation: A Human Approach’ with our inspiring keynote speaker, Joan Mulvihill, Siemens Ireland.

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Joan’s thought-provoking talk explored the importance of rehumanising organisations in the digital age, seamlessly bridging the worlds of technology, creativity, and human-centric leadership.
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Special thanks to our hosts, H.E. Ms. Leena Gardemeister, Ambassador of Finland and the Embassy of Finland in Ireland, for their warm hospitality and support in making this event a success.
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We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming IJA events!
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This event was supported by the IJA 2025 Patron Members: Fitzwilliam Capital and Yamamori Dublin.
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IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party 2024 | PHOTO GALLERY

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The IJA Council would like to extend a heartfelt gratitude to everyone who attended the annual IJA Bounenkai End of Year Party on 28th November at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake in Dublin. Your presence truly made the evening special, and we hope you enjoyed celebrating the culmination of this year’s hard work.

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Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson, warmly welcomed event guests and initiated the festivities with a traditional Japanese Kanpai toast.

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We would like to express our deepest appreciation to H.E. Mr. Norio Maruyama, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland and IJA Patron, for honouring us with his presence and delivering a heartfelt farewell message as he concludes his service in Ireland and prepares to return to Japan.

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Our sincere thanks also go to the IJA event team and our exceptional hosts at Yamamori Izakaya Japas & Sake for their warm hospitality and for ensuring the event was a resounding success.

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Here’s to creating more wonderful memories together in the future!

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Photos: Eddie Hughes & Miyu Ishikawa

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Ikebana Autumn Workshops with Tomoko Sempo Yanagi | PHOTO GALLERY

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We had a wonderful time at the Ikebana Autumn Workshops in October, diving into the beautiful world of Ikebana, the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging and learning from the esteemed Tomoko Sempo Yanagi, Professor of Ikenobo Ikebana Society and Chairperson of Ikenobo Ikebana UK & Ireland Group.

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We would like to thank Tomoko san for her expertise, passion, and guidance throughout the workshops, and all the participants who joined us in celebrating and exploring Japanese culture during this seasonal event. It was a weekend filled with inspiration, education, and new connections.
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A special thanks to Pauline and the team at the Warrenmount Education Centre in Dublin for the warm welcome and for providing a comfortable space for us all to learn and create.
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About Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
Tomoko Sempo Yanagi is a president of Ikenobo UK and Ireland Group and holds professor status with the Ikenobo School of Ikebana. Experienced in Ikebana since childhood. Her first public Ikebana demonstration was in California in 1989. After she moved to the UK in 1998, she exhibited her Ikebana works and conducted workshops at various places and occasions including The Embassy of Japan, Hammersmith and Fulham Flower Show, Google European HQ (Dublin), Cisco Poland, Flower Council of Holland, and a range of secondary schools in London. She was awarded a bronze medal at the Royal Horticultural Society, London Flower Show in 2001. Educated and lived in Japan, the US and the UK, she is also a mother of Irish/Japanese boys.
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Photos: Archive of Tomoko Sempo Yanagi
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IJA Japanese Book Club event featuring Irish writer and poet Nell Regan | PHOTO GALLERY

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The IJA Japanese Book Club event featuring Irish writer and poet Nell Regan was held on Saturday, 21st September and was hosted by ElectroRoute, an IJA corporate member, in Dublin city center.

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The event provided a special opportunity for book club members and Japanese poetry enthusiasts to meet Nell Regan in person and learn about the book ‘百人一首 – 100 Poems by 100 Poets’, as well as her work translating it into English with James Hadley. Nell’s presentation was captivating, allowing us to delve into the richness of Japanese literature and appreciate her remarkable talent for poetry.

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We extend our gratitude to Ambassador Maruyama for joining the event and reading some of the original poems from the book in Japanese.

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Attendees also had the chance to engage in a traditional Japanese card game and savor delicious, freshly baked Japanese treats provided by Gopan Bakery.

Special thanks to Tsugumi Yamamoto, IJA Vice Chairperson, for coordinating this event, and to our wonderful hosts at ElectroRoute for their excellent hospitality throughout the event.

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Academic Bridge Ltd joins the IJA as a Corporate member

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Ireland Japan Association is delighted to welcome Academic Bridge Ltd, Dublin-based English school, on board the IJA as a Corporate member, and is looking forward to a long lasting and successful cooperation.

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Founded in 2010, the school first opened its doors in September 2012, welcoming students from various parts of the world, including Japan, and offering a high-quality English language courses for non-native speakers as well as Cambridge and IELTS preparation courses.

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Academic Bridge was founded with the mission to provide a unique educational experience for international students who wish to learn English in Dublin. Our commitment goes beyond just teaching the language; we aim to offer a full cultural immersion, helping our students explore new cultures and broaden their horizons. – Roberto Kobashigawa, Academic Bridge Ltd.

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The school is dedicated to providing the best English learning experience by using a unique methodology allowing students to make significant progress during their study time. In 2015, to accommodate its rapid growth, the school relocated to a more spacious building in one of Dublin’s historic areas near O’Connell Street. Academic Bridge Ltd. was among the first schools in Ireland to implement and offer the Learner’s Protection Policy to its students.

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Continuously evolving, the school actively participates in international student fairs and expands its networking. In 2016, it became part of the official ILEP list, which consists of government-approved education programs meeting specific standards and requirements, provided by universities, colleges, and English language schools. In 2024, the school joined the Ireland Japan Association’s network of corporate members.

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We are incredibly happy to have this opportunity to be part of the IJA. Being a member of this association is a significant step for us, as we are always exploring and incorporating new cultures into our English exchange program. We believe this partnership will be mutually beneficial and open up many opportunities for our students. – Roberto Kobashigawa, Academic Bridge Ltd.

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For more information about Academic Bridge Ltd, please visit website: https://academicbridge.ie. You can also follow their updates on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

 

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Cpl team wins the IJA Ishikawa Golf Cup 2024

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The IJA Annual Golf Outing 2024 tournament took place on 5th September at the beautiful Foxrock Golf Club, Dublin.
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We would like to congratulate the Cpl Team, winners of the IJA Golf Outing 2024! The Ishikawa Cup was presented to the winning team by Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Norimasa Yoshida, Deputy Head of the Mission at the Embassy of Japan.
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L-R: Cpl Team captain Stephen Mullin, Catherine Grennell-Whyte, IJA Chairperson and Norimasa Yoshida, Deputy Head of the Mission at the Embassy of Japan.

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Iskikawa Cup 2024 winners: Cpl Team
Stephen Mullin
Johnnie O’Connor
Ian Sparling
Tom Fitzgerald
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2nd and 3rd places were awarded to NTT Data (Team 1) and NTT Data (Team 2). Big thanks to all the teams from Bank of Ireland, Dillon Eustace, ElectroRoute, Mitsubishi Electric, and NTT DATA, Inc. for joining us this year and making the tournament a great success.
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We would also like to thank our amazing hosts – Foxrock Golf Club – for their fantastic hospitality and the IJA Council members and event team who helped to organise this event: Catherine Grennell-Whyte, Neil Cowhey, Raymond Hegarty and Verity Swan.
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A special thanks go to our generous prize sponsors:
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