Sad news as popular alternative gym and community spot closes
It’s been ten action-packed years.
Owner Ainle set up his Cork gym Aclaí on Bishop Street over a decade ago and has since developed the small corner into a space for fundraising, community meetings, and book clubs on top of the regular business of keeping people fit and healthy.
But customers and supporters of the local alternative gym have been left saddened to hear of the gym’s upcoming closure -and the owner’s departure from Cork.
The Rebel Matters podcaster and activist, originally from Belfast, took to social media to announce the decision, citing economic and personal reasons for the decision to close up shop.
“While the economic conditions have made it difficult to operate a small business in town over the last number of years, the decision to close is a personal one for me as I am going to be moving home to Belfast to be closer to my family and friends and recharge the batteries before jumping into whatever projects the future has in store,” said Ainle.
A fierce advocate for accessibility in the fitness space, Ainle and his team built a unique training system that catered to people from all sorts of backgrounds and abilities.
During his time in Cork, he also set about creating a sister gym in a refugee camp in Palestine, hosted book clubs and meetings as well as several fundraising and music events in the space, including one of the very first shows of Republican rap band Kneecap, of which Ainle’s brother is a member.
“I hope that we have made a positive contribution to the Cork community while our paths have crossed, and passed on something useful to the many members we have trained over the years… I can certainly say that we tried our best. Go raibh míle maith agaibh a chairde,” said Ainle on Instagram.
The gym will close its doors for good next week on Friday, September 1st.
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During his time in Cork, he also set about creating a sister gym in a refugee camp in Palestine, hosted book clubs and meetings as well as several fundraising and music events in the space, including one of the very first shows of Republican rap band Kneecap, of which Ainle’s brother is a member.
“I hope that we have made a positive contribution to the Cork community while our paths have crossed, and passed on something useful to the many members we have trained over the years… I can certainly say that we tried our best. Go raibh míle maith agaibh a chairde,” said Ainle on Instagram.
The gym will close its doors for good next week on Friday, September 1st.
