about us
Form School is a joint venture between Gordon and Aoife D’Arcy. Irish international rugby player Gordon D’Arcy and top fashion model and artist Aoife Cogan have combined their expertise in their respective fields to offer an innovative Reformer Pilates studio that offers a range of workout options set in a stylishly bohemian, welcoming and artistic space based in the city centre.
Aoife Cogan/D’Arcy
Aoife Cogan/D’Arcy has been one of Ireland’s most established and successful fashion models for nearly 14 years. She is also an accomplished artist whose pieces have been exhibited in the National Gallery. Her interests include art, fashion, interiors, travel, music, exercise and vintage style.
Aoife’s modeling career began while still in school. She combined modeling with studying while in Art School and went on to become Miss Ireland in 2005 competing in Miss World in China. She has walked the ramp and shot campaigns for every major brand and designer in Ireland. She has also modeled internationally and has worked with some of the fashion worlds’ biggest supermodels
Aoife’s broad range of interests includes travelling extensively and both she and Gordon have travelled the world, through both their respective careers and together. She says that this has heavily influenced her style, shaping and influencing her whole outlook on life. Travel has also influenced her art extensively
Modeling can often be a short lived career but Aoife attributes her successful, long standing modeling career to the importance of exercise and healthy lifestyle and diet to sustain a healthy lean body. She also stresses the importance of the positive effect exercise has on her mind. Aoife believes that “feeling good equals looking good, positivity is very important. As a model you are faced with a lot of rejection and negative commentary on your appearance. This can be challenging but when your body is strong and resilient, your mind also becomes strong and resilient and you can achieve more.”
Aoife’s goal with Form School is to promote and share all her expertise in maintaining a healthy toned physique, gained through 14 years of modeling experience. This will be done in an artistic, beautiful work out space that reflects both her and Gordon’s bohemian outlook. Her artwork will hang on the walls of the beautifully appointed Form School and she wants the welcome for all their clients to be warm and inviting.
Our Teachers
Ellen Redmond
Ellen Redmond, a dedicated mom and wife worked most of her life in retail which is where her journey with Pilates started. Always on her feet, she developed a deep understanding of how the body is connected with everyday life, kick starting her love affair with Pilates. It has been a huge passion ever since.
Ellen has been practising Pilates for over a decade and completed her teacher training with Balanced Body Pilates. Ellen holds qualifications in Mat, Reformer Pilates, Prenatal, Trap Table, Pilates Chair and Pilates Barrels. During the pandemic she easily shifted to delivering workouts remotely. Ellen is able to cater to all levels of fitness. Her classes are fun, high tempo and challenging. If you would like to start, resume or continue your own Pilates journey, join a class with Ellen.
In her free time she loves walking/hiking in the hills, enjoys a good crime podcast and turning her hand to a bit of baking.
Irene McNulty
Irene discovered Pilates and immediately loved the discipline and benefits of the practice. After years of taking classes she made the decision to go through the training process. She completed her apprenticeship teacher training and was awarded her certification from Progressive Pilates Academy.
Her previous studies BSc Herbal Science ,strongly focused on a multidisciplinary spectrum of subjects including human anatomy and physiology and pharmacology studies.
With her passion for movement and her interest in the human body, Irene is dedicated to educating the appropriate audience in by offering guidance and support to her students. Implementing novel approaches to enhance, strength, confidence and physical good health to the body.
Her sessions consist of Pilates repertoire with a touch of strength based inspired movement. She is described as ‘working you hard without you even knowing it’.
As a Pilates Instructor she hopes “to give back the experience and attain the goal of movement and happiness. To share the fruits of over flowing vitality and health through awareness and knowledge of the body and return to the human highway of progress and empowerment through the best of my ability and passion”
Outside her pilates interests she is a keen rock climber and enjoys dabbling in gardening.
Pamela Hogan
Pamela’s journey with movement started from a young age with Gymnastics where she competed nationally and loved the flexility, strength and grace it brought to her body. She continued to be involved in various sports and fitness over the years.
Pamela then turned to Pilates following the birth of her three daughters to help her regain her pre-pregnancy shape. In Pilates, Pamela once again found movement that combined both flexibility, stretch and strength and found amazing results. Herein a new passion was ignited which in turn resulted in a change of career.
Leaving behind a successful career as a buyer, Pamela embarked on a Mentorship training programme in Pilates and qualified as a fully certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor. She is trained to teach Mat & Reformer Pilates in levels 1,2 &3 and also Trap Table, Pilates Chair and Pilates Barrels. Pamela has also trained in Pre & Post Natal Pilates.
Pamela believes in continually learning and improving her knowledge of anatomy and is currently studying Holistic and Sports Massage Level 3 in H.C.D. Pilates has been more of a life change than a career change for Pamela as she loves the challenge of helping people move better and bringing a step-change improvement to clients physical health and appearance.
One of her favourite Joe Pilates quotes sums it up for her:
‘The art of contrology proves that the only real guide to your true age lies not in years or how you think you feel but as you actually are as infallibly indicated by the degree of natural form and flexibility enjoyed by your spine throughout life.’…J.Pilates
Dearbhla Mitchell
After completing a BA Hons Degree in English Literature & Theatre Studies at UCD, I ignited my love of poetry and theatre but was certain that I wanted to pursue a more physical career path.
I began dancing at a young age. That passion has stayed with me throughout my life, playing an active role in the UCD Dance Society and performing as a lead soloist with the Monica Loughman Ballet Company. For me, exercise has always been about mental health and battling my demons through movement. I wanted to give others that same feeling of wellbeing that fitness and dance has given me. I decided to combine my love of movement and health. I completed the QQI Certificate in Nutrition and the EQF Level 4 National Qualification in Exercise and Health at the National Training Centre.
I have gone on to expand my skills with STOTT Pilates Matwork and national qualifications in Pre & Post Natal Exercise, Exercise for the Older Adult, Polestar Reformer Pilates and the teaching certificate in Progressing Ballet Technique. Last year, I was awarded Distinction for the Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing, UCD. I have since been working with wellness practitioners and studios to help with their online presence, content creation, and social media branding.
Damian Poder
Sadly Damian lost his battle with cancer in 2017. Damian was the first teacher we hired when we began our Form School journey and his contribution will never be forgotten. A gentleman to his fingertips, and an absolute professional, his drive, spirit and energy built the foundations of this school and for this we are eternally grateful. Damian, “Never Better, Never Beaten”.