Beginners' Class for Teenagers & Adults

A beginners' class for teenagers and adults is held every Monday from 7:00pm - 8:00pm.

We are currently accepting new members into this class. New members are welcome.

Junior Beginners' Programme (6-11yrs)

This is a specific class designed to teach children of this age self-defence, coordination, a healthy lifestyle, self-discipline, and respect for others. The class is held every Wednesday from 7.00pm – 8.00pm

This class is currently full. Parents, please contact us if you would like to put your child's name on the waiting list.

All classes are held in the Renmore Community Centre, Renmore Avenue, Galway

Find Out More

For more information on any of our classes, please contact Mr Mark O’Donnell 6^th Degree, International Instructor, on 087 7970646 or email instructor@galwaytkd.com

Our brochure is available in PDF format. Please click here to view or download it.

Or click here for an Explanation of Taekwon-Do.

Diary Dates

In Memoriam-The Founder of Taekwon-Do

ITF PLAQUE     

CODE OF ETHICS   

Latest News

Grading Dates 2010

With yet another very full calendar in 2010, it has been decided to hold combined colour belt gradings for the Galway & Athlone Schools, with the venue to rotate for each grading.

Provisional dates and venues for Colour Belt Gradings as follows:

Date	Venue
Saturday 10th April	Athlone
Saturday 14th August	Galway (also prelim for Sept Black Belt Grading)
Saturday 11th December	Athlone

Members must be training regularly and consistently in order to be considered for grading exams.

End of Year Demonstration

Click here to view larger size photos.

Click here to view videos.

The end-of-year demonstration by the members of the Junior Class was held on Wednesday 16th December. Well done to all the Tigers and Dragons (& Black Belts!) who took part – you all did a great job!

Click here to download our December Newsletter.
Click here to download our 2010 School Calendar.

Grading Results

Congratulations to all our members who were successful in the December colour belt grading. Examiners on the day were Master Howard VII and Mr O᾿Donnell VI. Results as follows:

Promoted to	Member
5th Kup	P.J. Flaherty
6th Kup	Robin Negus
7th Kup	Joby Kuriakose, Barry Healy, Micheal Joyce, Deirdre Murphy
8th Kup	Damien Vaughan (O+), Aiden Traynor, Lorraine Kelleher
9th Kup	Laura Cunninghan (O+), Ronan O᾿Conghaile, Diarmuid Hannigan, Carmel Boyce, Christopher Tumulty

Well done also to Mr Tim Collins and Sarah Kirk who passed their preliminary grading for 2^nd Degree and 1^st Degree respectively. A further 10 members from our sister school in Athlone also graded successfully on the day, including Mr Conor Dunne who passed his prelim for 2^nd Degree.

Irish Open 2009

Well done to all the Galway members who took part in the recent Irish Open ITF Championships in Dublin. Our school was represented by: Mr Mahoney, Mr Collins, Mr Conway, Mr McCormack, Ms McGrath, Sarah Kirk, Rafal Aksamit, Ciaran Flatley, Robin Negus, Michael Joyce, Catherine Higgins, Cristian Deliv, and Damien Vaughan. Thanks also to the Black Belts who helped out with umpiring and coaching on the day. Total medals for Galway: 5 Gold, 3 Silver and 6 Bronze. Mr Mahoney also won the Best Overall Senior Title.

Individual results as follows:

• Mr Martin Mahoney Gold (patterns) Bronze (sparring) Bronze (power)
• Mr Alan Conway Silver (power)
• Mr Conor McCormack Silver (patterns) Bronze (sparring)
• Ms Therese McGrath Gold (sparring) Silver (power)
• Sarah Kirk Gold (sparring)
• Rafal Aksamit Bronze (patterns) Bronze (sparring)
• Micheal Joyce Gold (patterns)
• Cristian Deliv Bronze (patterns)
• Damien Vaughan Gold (patterns)

Congratulations to all our members who performed so well at national/international tournaments throughout the year. Our 2009 school total medal count is:

Gold	16
Silver	10
Bronze	23
Total	49

Four Nations 2009

Congratulations to our three Galway Black Belts who represented Ireland as part of the National Senior Team at the recent Four Nations in Dublin. Mr Mahoney, Mr McCormack and Mr Misiewicz gave it their all at the Charity event, which was held to support Barnardos, and Ireland finished in the silver medal position with the very experienced English team taking gold. Well done to the Irish team for a great effort. Visit the RITA website for full report & photos.

UK Open Championships 2009

Well done to all the Galway members who represented our School at the recent UK Open Championships held in Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall. The seven-person team was coached by Mr O’Donnell and brought home an impressive total of 9 medals against tough opposition from all over the UK and Ireland. Mr Collins, Joe Conway, Eoghan Fleming, Aiden Traynor, Damien Vaughan, and Lorraine Kelleher travelled as supporters. Photos to follow.

Competitors’ Results as follows:

• Mr Martin Mahoney (Bronze II Dan Patterns)
• Mr Alan Conway (Bronze I Dan Patterns)
• Mr Conor McCormack (Gold I Dan Patterns & Bronze Sparring)
• Ms Therese McGrath (Bronze I Dan Patterns & Bronze Sparring)
• Emma Kirk (Silver Blue/Red Belt Sparring)
• Ciaran Flatley (Bronze Green Belt Patterns)
• Micheal Joyce (Gold Yellow Belt Patterns)

Black Belt Class

The first of the monthly local Black Belt classes was conducted by Mr O’Donnell in Galway on 24th October and attended by members from the Galway & Athlone schools. Mr O’Donnell covered fundamental movements, Black Belt patterns, foot sparring, and free sparring. The second class was held in Athlone on Saturday 14^th November. As the calendar for November/December is very full, the next class is planned for Athlone in January, to be conducted by Master Howard. Date & times to be confirmed. 1^st Kups and Black Belts from both schools may attend.

ITF World Championships

Well done to our Galway members, Mr Mahoney, Mr McCormack, and Mr Misiewicz who did us all proud at the 16^th ITF Senior World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia. All the members of the Irish team performed well, and it was a great experience for them. The standard at the tournament was extremely high as it was the biggest ever World Championships with over 900 participants from 83 countries. North Korea were awarded the Best Overall Country title. Master Howard, Mr O’Donnell & Ms Deborah Manning (St. Marks) represented Ireland as umpires and attended the Technical & Umpire Seminar conducted by Grandmaster Leong Wai Meng and Senior Master Hwang Ho Yong. Senior Master Phelan, Master Howard, & Mr O’Donnell also took part in the ITF Masters Seminar conducted by Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha and Senior Master Hwang.

Click here for photos

Black Belt Promotion

Congratulations to the Galway School’s newest Black Belt, Ms. Therese McGrath, who was promoted to ITF 1st Degree by Senior Master Phelan VIII Degree at the recent RITA Black Belt Grading in Dublin. Well done.

UKTA Today Magazine

Masters Seminars in Athlone

Master Robert Howard, 7th Degree, recently celebrated 30 years in Taekwon-Do with two special commemorative seminars hosted by the Athlone Taekwon-Do School. Since he began his Taekwon-Do training in 1979 at the age of nine, he has had a distinguished career in the Korean art. more...

ITF Course – First GrandMaster Rhee

Mr. O’Donnell travelled to Glasgow recently to attend an official ITF International Course conducted by First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha, IX, the Pioneer of Taekwon-Do in Ireland and the UK. The course was attended by members from all over the UK, as well as from Sweden and Nepal. Grandmaster Rhee was an inspiration as always, and was assisted in conducting the seminar by Senior Masters Cutler, Williamson, Taylor, and O’Neill. The course was spread over 2 days and covered patterns, step sparring, free sparring, special technique & self defence, as well as the correct methodology for conducting classes.

Grading Results

Congratulations to the following Galway members who were promoted following the grading held on 22^nd August in Athlone:

Promoted to 4th Kup: Padraic Carter

Promoted to 5th Kup: Rafal Aksamit (O+)

Promoted to 6th Kup: PJ Flaherty, Ciaran Flatley.

Promoted to 8th Kup: Deirdre Murphy, Barrry Healy, Jana Chriastelova, Katerina Rysankova, Joby Kuriakose, Patrick Doyle, Micheal Joyce

Promoted to 9th Kup: Eoghan Fleming, Damien Vaughan, Lorraine Kelleher, Aiden Traynor.

Congratulations also to Therese McGrath who successfully passed the 1^st Degree preliminary exam.

Black Belt Promotion at ITF International Course

Congratulations to the Galway School’s newest Black Belt, Mr. Krzysztof Misiewicz, who was promoted to ITF 1^st Degree Black Belt at the grading after the recent ITF International Seminar in Dublin conducted by Senior Master Barrett VIII Degree. Well done to Mr. Misiewicz from all of us.

ITF International Course 2009

The course was attended by members from all over Ireland and from the UK and Spain. All 24 Tuls were covered, as well as many interesting and inventive teaching methods. The Galway School was represented on the course by Mr. O’Donnell, Mr. Collins, Mr. Misiewicz, Ciaran Flatley & Pat Doyle and was a very enjoyable & educational experience. A special word of thanks to Senior Master Barrett for another great course.

RITA Summer Camp

July 17-19 this year marked the welcome return of the RITA Summer Camp, held in the Scout Centre, Mount Melleray, Co. Waterford. Previous Summer camps have been extremely enjoyable events, and a great way to improve your TKD skills by learning from a variety of Masters and Instructors, as well as meeting new friends from our extended RITA family. Instructors for this years camp included: Senior Master Barrett VIII, Mr. O’Donnell VI, Mr Keane VI, Ms Keane VI, and Mr Tobin III. All aspects of TKD training were covered and there was also plenty of time to relax and have lots of fun.

European Championships

Well done to Mr Martin Mahoney II Dan, who represented Ireland at the EITF European Taekwon-Do Championships recently in Slovenia. The mixed self defence team of Ms Audrey Condon, Mr Mahoney and Mr Gerard Byrne won Gold in their division. Ms Condon also won Gold in the Female Veteran Sparring, Gold in the Female Veteran 3rd Dan Patterns and Bronze in the Veteran Female Power. The competitors were coached by Mr Stephen Doyle 6th Degree. Senior Master Barrett 8th Degree led the Umpire delegation with Mr John Jacob and Mr Floyd Keane both 6th Degrees. Congratulations to all & thanks to everyone who supported Mr Mahoney with sponsorship for the event. To view a selction of photos from the Euros click here.

Connacht Open 2009

Well done to all the Galway members who represented our School in the recent Connacht Open Championships: Sarah Kirk, PJ Flaherty, Barry Healy, Deirdre Murphy, Ciaran Flatley, Rafal Aksamit, Mr Conor McCormack, Mr Martin Mahoney, Krzysztof Misiewicz, James Arrigan, Kyle Guest, Catherine Higgins, Cristian Deliv, Ethan Brennan & Ayshea Ullah.

Medal Winners as follows:

• Martin Mahoney (Gold Patterns)
• Mr Conor McCormack (Silver Patterns & Bronze Sparring)
• Krzysztof Misiewicz (Gold Patterns & Gold Sparring)
• Sarah Kirk (Gold Sparring)
• Rafal Aksamit (Bronze Patterns & Bronze Sparring)
• Ayshea Ullah (Bronze Sparring)
• PJ Flaherty (Gold Patterns & Bronze Sparring & Best Overall Senior Title)
• Ciaran Flatley (Bronze Patterns)
• Cristian Deliv (Gold Patterns)
• Ethan Brennan (Bronze Patterns)
• Barry Healy (Bronze Patterns)

Total: 6 Gold, 2 Silver & 7 Bronze.

Thanks to our Black Belts who umpired on the day: Mr Mahoney, & Mr McCormack, and thanks to everyone who helped out with the tournament and ensured the event was a success (particularly the members who helped set up the hall on Friday night and clear up after the event on Saturday). A special ‘thank you’ to Mr Floyd Keane & the RITA Tournament Committee, as well as all the Umpires who attended for their hard work.

Click here for photos

National Umpire Course

21 Black Belts attended the RITA’s annual Umpire course in Stillorgan Taekwon-Do School (Dublin). The course was conducted by the RITA Umpire Committee (Master Howard VII and Mr O’Donnell VI). Three of the Galway School’s Black Belts (Mr Mahoney II, Mr Collins I, and Mr McCormack I) took part in the course. Click here to see photos from the event.

Leinster Open Championships 2009

Galway TKD Calendar 2009

News Archive

For less recent news please follow this link to the News Archive.