Westmeath & Dublin School Chess Programs January – May 2025
Westmeath & Dublin School Programs (January 2025 – May 2025)
Are you a teacher who has always wanted to introduce chess into your school? Or a TY Coordinator looking to offer your students a fun activity-based seminar with an inter-disciplinary reach across a broad spectrum of disciplines (history/ film/ literature/ art etc.)?
If so, Chess Bud Ireland may have the chess program you are looking for.
My name is Jonathan O’Connor. I am based in Mullingar and am the current Irish Over-50s Chess Champion and am an International Master of Correspondence Chess based in Mullingar. I currently offer extra-curricular or group classes to schools based in Westmeath. and Dublin.
Chess Coaching Background:
I have been teaching chess since I myself was in secondary school. Chess has been a huge part of my life. I am former Chairperson of the Irish Chess Union. To read more about my chess career, please click here:
Chess Coaching Credentials:
I have coached the Irish Women’s Team at two chess Olympiads and was assistant coach to the Irish Junior Chess Squad last June at the European School’s Chess Championships in Limerick. I have my own third-party public liability insurance.
Teaching Philosophy:
I believe in a student focused approach to coaching. One size fits all does not work for chess improvement.
FAQs
So how do 1 hour in-person school classes work?
Standard extra-curricular classes last approximately 1 hour. I bring a large demonstration board which takes 2 mins to set-up. I bring all the chessboards and sets that the kids use each week, so there is no need to store equipment in whatever classroom is used. Kids get a 20 minute lesson followed by 30 minutes play and then five minutes at the end to clear up and put the classroom back the way we found it. I run a competition from the third week and provide trophies and medals at the end of each term. If a student signs up to chess but then decides it is not for them, that’s no problem, their parents will be refunded the cost of the remaining classes they don’t attend.
Class Details:
Classes take place according to the school calendar and require a minimum of fourteen enrolled kids to get going up to a maximum of 30 kids per class.
Mullingar Town Rates:
i) 60 minute Extra-curricular class rate – €8 per student per class / €6 per additional sibling
ii) 90 minute TY Seminar rate – €12 per student per class
iii) 120 minute TY Seminar rate – €15 per student per class
I am also available to teach chess in Athlone, Tullamore and schools in County Westmeath, Carlow for an increased per-student or agreed group rate to cover travel expenses etc.
Let’s get the ball rolling!
If you would like to test the water and see the level of interest in your school for a chess club or chess program, I would be happy to come in and give a free 30-minute talk, so students and staff can get a sense of how much fun a chess class could be!
Please fill out the form below and I will let you know my availability and give you a quote.
Alternatively, text or call me on 086-8249736 and I will give you a call!
Let’s play chess!
CCIM Jonathan O’Connor
SCHOOLS CHESS PROGRAM 2024 – 2025 ONLINE FORM