Wing Tsun was launched in Sligo on Sunday the 27th of February 2011 with a seminar by Si-Hing Michael O'Leary. Michael is the head instructor for the Blanchardstown school and has been studying Wing Tsun since 1993.

The seminar started with the class performing the Siu-Nim-Tau form. This form which translates as "little idea" is the primary form in Wing Tsun and traditionally, it is explained to each student that this form is the root of all Wing Tsun. If a student does not get this "little idea" right then any further study of Wing Tsun (Cham-Kiu, applications,chi-sau, etc) is in vain.

Following on from this Michael demonstrated classical Wing Tsun theory which states that when faced with an unavoidable confrontation, rather than defending, a Wing Tsun person will attack their attacker once the attacker steps into the defenders personal distance. This strategy is particularly appropriate once the defender is aware that the fight is "on". However many attackers will talk themselves into a close distance before the fight starts and then attack with a "sucker" punch. A Wing Tsun person cannot attack every person who comes close to them and they cannot adopt a recognisable Wing Tsun posture in advance of what may or may not be an attack. Therefore a modified Wing Tsun posture is used that while disguised, still offers protection. From this pre-fight position, students practised a small number of easy to learn techniques against the most common attacks likely to occur in the street such as jab, cross, hook, rib and low punches together with low round house kicks and kicks to the groin.

Following the applications, students were introduced to the "Lat-Sau" drill. It is not enough for students to know in theory how to defend against attacks. The defences must be applied by instinct and this is what the Lat-Sau drill facilitates. The applications taken from the Siu-Nim-Tau form are used as techniques for self-defence and when practised in the Lat-Sau drill, make the self-defence techniques sharper. Following on from this, students worked on further techniques against single/double wrist, elbow grabs, chokes, head locks, etc and the seminar finally finished at 5pm.

Two of Michael students, Micheal Preston and Aine Trowell, have been learning Wing Tsun and travelling every Saturday from Sligo to Dublin since June 2009. They are currently training to be assistant instructors under Si-Hing O'Leary and while in the instructor program have opened a small working group in Sligo. Classes will take place in Sligo every Friday evening from 8-10pm and Michael will travel from Dublin to Sligo on a regular basis to help with classes, seminars and gradings.