Beginners' Class for Teenagers & Adults
A beginners' class for teenagers and adults is held every Monday at 7:00pm. Enrolments have closed for our latest Beginners' Course for this age group. Please contact us for details of the next beginners' course.
Our brochure is available in PDF format. Please click here to view or download it.
For further details on this class, please contact Mr Mark O’Donnell 6th Degree on 087 7970646 or email instructor@galwaytkd.com
Junior Beginners' Programme (7-12yrs)
This is a specific class designed to teach children of this age self-defence, coordination, a healthy lifestyle, self-discipline, and respect for others.
We will be starting a new round of beginners' classes for 7-12 year olds in early September. Places are limited. For more information please contact Mr Mark O’Donnell 6th Degree on 087 7970646 or email instructor@galwaytkd.com
Click here for an Explanation of Taekwon-Do.
Affiliations
Welcome to the Galway Taekwon-Do School
Welcome to the Galway Taekwon-Do School Website. If you are interested in joining and would like further information click here or email us and we can answer any questions you have personally. Feel free to view all the available content including the photos and videos in the Gallery.
Please contact us if you have any questions about the School or Taekwon-Do in general, we would be happy to hear from you and are always willing to help.
Mr. Mark O’Donnell VI Dan ITF
Senior Instructor
Galway School of ITF Taekwon-Do
Diary Dates
- Sunday 5th July - RITA National Instructors Course, Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin
- 17th – 19th July – RITA Summer Camp, Mount Melleray, Co. Waterford
- Saturday 22nd August - Colour Belt Grading Exam, Galway
- Sunday 13th September – RITA National Black Belt Seminar, Athlone
- Saturday 26th September – RITA Black Belt Grading, Dublin
In Memoriam-The Founder of Taekwon-Do
General Choi Hong-Hi
1918 - 2002
ITF PLAQUE
ITF Plaque No. 6097
Latest News
3 Galway Members Selected for ITF Worlds
Congratulations to Galway members Mr Martin Mahoney II, Mr Conor McCormack I, and Mr Krzysztof Misiewicz I, who have been selected to represent Ireland at the 2009 ITF Senior World Championships, which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia from 12th-17th October. Well done on the selection and best wishes from all of us for the championships. Master Howard & Mr O’Donnell will also be attending the event as Umpires.
Black Belt Promotion at ITF International Course
Congratulations to the Galway School’s newest Black Belt, Mr. Krzysztof Misiewicz, who was promoted to ITF 1st 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.
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.
Red & Black Belt Classes
As the Juniors class will be on Summer break for July and August, the 7pm class on Wednesday nights will be for Red Belts & Black Belts only starting from Wednesday 1st July. All Black Belt & Red Belts are encouraged to attend.
RITA Instructors Course
The annual RITA National Instructors Course will be held in the Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin on Sunday 5th July. The course is open to all registered adult Black Belts and will be conducted by Senior Master Howard & Senior Master Phelan VIII Degree. Application forms are available at class and on the RITA website. Course fee is €60. Black Belts please remember that this course is one of your requirements for Degree gradings.
RITA Summer Camp
July 17-19 this year marks the welcome return of the RITA Summer Camp,
which is being 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.
Students can arrive from 3.00pm on Friday 17th and it will finish at 1.00pm on Sunday 19th.
Instructors for this years camp include: Senior Master Barrett VIII,
Mr. O’Donnell VI, Mr Keane VI, Ms Keane VI, and Mr Tobin III.
All aspects of TKD training will be covered and there will also be plenty of
time to relax and have lots of fun.
The fee for the full weekend is great value at €95 all-in per student which includes
accommodation, food, and instruction. Forms will be available from the RITA
website & at class and should be returned to Mr O’Donnell by Wednesday 1st July.
Next Grading Exam
The next grading for the Galway School will be held on Saturday 22nd August commencing at 10.30am – please note change of date.
ITF World Championships – Squad Training
Squad Training is underway for the 2009 ITF Senior World Championships,
which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia from 12th-17th October. All Red &
Black Belt members are encouraged to attend. Even if you’re not going for team selection this time, it’s
a great way to get extra training in for higher grades.
Squad is regularly held in Athlone which is very easy to get to for Galway members.
For venues & times for squad sessions visit
www.rita-itf.org,
or contact the National Coach Mr Doyle 6th Degree: (087) 6986491. Email: coach@rita-itf.org.
Juniors Class News
A note to all parents that the Wednesday night junior class will be on Summer break for the months of July & August. Classes for these members will resume on Wednesday 9th September at the usual time of 7:00pm. We’ve had a lot of enquiries recently for juniors beginner classes. As we are approaching the Summer, it has been decided to postpone these classes until the first week in September. From Wednesday 1st July to Wednesday 2nd September, the 7:00 - 8:00pm class on Wednesdays will be for Red Belts and Black Belts only. Full attendance is expected.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.
UKTA Tournaments
We had initially looked at travelling away to the English Open Championships in June. However, the timing of the event did not suit, and as an alternative, we are now considering a trip to the UK Open Championships which will be held on Saturday 7th November in Glasgow provided there is sufficient interest. All Galway members 16 yrs and older (yellow belt and higher on the date of the tournament) would be eligible for the event. Members who are interested in competing need to be prepared to attend extra training sessions to prepare for the tournament. Further details to follow. If you are interested please give your name to Mr O’Donnell at class.
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.
Grading Results
Congratulations to the members who were promoted at the Galway School grading held on 4th April:
Promoted to 7th Kup: PJ Flaherty, Ciaran Flatley, Robin Negus.
Promoted to 8th Kup: James Arrigan, Catherine Higgins, Kyle Guest, Cristian Deliv.
Promoted to 9th Kup: Deirdre Murphy, Cathal McCormack, Barrry Healy, Jana Chriastelova, Katerina Rysankova, Joby Kuriakose, Patrick Doyle, Darragh Bailey, Michael Joyce (O+).
Well Done Everybody.
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
Congratulations to the Galway members who took part in the recent Leinster Open Championships. James Arrigan won a bronze medal in the Junior 9th Kup Patterns. In the Senior divisions, Krzystof Misiewicz won gold in sparring and silver in patterns, while Therese McGrath took gold medals in both patterns & sparring, as well as the overall Senior Title on the day. Well done to all.
The next tournament will be the Connacht Open Championships on Saturday 25th April in Galway - full details soon.
UKTA Today Magazine
The latest issue of UKTA Today (issue 7) is now available. For members who have subscribed through the RITA, you should have your copy shortly. If any members would like to buy individual copies of this or previous issues of this highly recommended magazine, please go to the UKTA site for ordering details. www.ukta.com/ukta_today.php
Galway TKD Calendar 2009
Click here to download a copy of the Galway Taekwon-Do School’s 2009 Calendar & Events listing.
Irish Open 2008
Congratulations to all the Galway members who took part in the recent Irish Open Championships held in Dublin. Competitors from all over Ireland (North & South), England & Wales competed for the honours on the day.
Galway Medal Winners as follows:
- Krzystof Misiewicz – Gold (Patterns), Gold (Power) (Overall Irish Senior Champion 2008)
- Therese McGrath – Silver (Patterns), Gold (Sparring)
- Emma Kirk – Bronze (Patterns)
- Padraic Carter – Silver (Patterns), Gold (Sparring)
- Rafal Aksamit – Gold (Patterns), Silver (Sparring)
- PJ Flaherty – Gold (Patterns)
- Sean Herriott – Silver (Patterns)
- Catherine Higgins – Bronze (Patterns)
- James Arrigan – Bronze (Patterns)
Team Total: 6 Gold, 4 Silver, 3 Bronze & 1 Overall Title.
For full results listing, please visit the RITA website.
Click here for videos - Seniors
Click here for videos - Juniors
Click here for photos - Juniors
Grading Results
Congratulations to the Galway members who were promoted at the recent grading:
- Promoted to 1st Kup: Therese McGrath, Sarah Kirk.
- Promoted to 6th Kup (O+): Rafal Aksamit.
- Promoted to 8th Kup: PJ Flaherty, Ciaran Flatley, Peter Beachy, Kyle Walsh, Sean Herriott, Robin Negus.
- Promoted to 9th Kup: Pawel Mielecki.
St. Mark’s Team Challenge
Congratulations to the Galway members who took part in the recent Team Challenge hosted by our friends in St Mark’s Taekwon-Do School. Therese, Antoinette, and Rafal took part on the day, and competed well to take Bronze in the adult team sparring section. Mr O’Donnell represented the school as Senior Umpire on the day.
It was, as always, a most enjoyable day and a big ‘thank you’ to Ms Valerie Keane, Mr Floyd Keane, and all the members of St Marks for hosting another great event.
International Seminar
Pictured at the recent historic ITF International Seminar in Dublin (the first ever to be conducted by an Irish Master): PJ Flaherty, Mr O’Donnell, Ciaran Flatley, Seated: Master Robert Howard VII, Senior Master Barrett VIII, and Master George Vitali VII (USA).
2008 Munster Open
A very big congratulations to all the members who represented our school at the recent Munster Open Championships in held in Clonmel.
Well done to all the Galway team:
- Sarah Kirk
- Emma Kirk (Gold – Patterns)
- Padraic Carter (Silver - Sparring, Silver – Patterns)
- Paul Curran (Bronze – Patterns, Silver – Sparring)
- Therese McGrath (Gold – Sparring, Silver – Patterns)
- Rafal Aksamit (Gold – Patterns, Gold Sparring)
- Patrick Flaherty (Gold – Patterns)
- Ciaran Flatley (Silver – Patterns)
- Sean Herriott (Bronze – Patterns)
Team Total: 5 Gold, 5 Silver, 2 Bronze.
Next tournament will be the Irish Open, on December 6th in Dublin
Grading Results
Congratulations to the Galway members (pictured with Examiners, Master Howard VII and Mr O’Donnell VI) who were promoted to 9th Kup at the recent grading in Athlone:
Ciaran Flatley (O+), P.J. Flaherty (O+), Stephanie Anderson, Kyle Walsh, Jade Walsh, Colin Prendergast , Sean Herriott, Robin Negus, Michael Healy, Peter Beachy.
Recent Grading
Congratulations to the members of the Junior Class (pictured above with Mr & Ms O’Donnell) who were promoted to 9th Kup at the recent grading. Well done also to the other members who were successfully promoted: Paul Curran & Padraic Carter (5th Kup), Rafal Aksamit (7th Kup).
News Archive
For less recent news please follow this link to the News Archive.