Galway Taekwon-Do School - Class Programmes

All classes are held in the Renmore Community Centre, Renmore Avenue, Galway, and are taught by Qualified ITF Black Belt Instructors.

Tigers & Dragons Junior Classes

Wednesdays 7:00 – 8:00pm

This is a specially designed programme to teach children self-defence, coordination, a healthy lifestyle, self-discipline, and respect for others. Students are split by age into the Tigers group (6-8yrs) and Dragons group (9-11yrs).

Next enrolment date – 8^th September 2010.

New places are limited. Parents, please contact us if you would like to put your child's name on the waiting list.

Adult Beginner Classes

Mondays 7:00 – 8:00pm

This is our introductory programme for adults and teenagers, and no previous martial arts experience is required. Classes typically consist of fundamental Taekwon-Do movements, pad & target work, plenty of stretching and exercise, as well as practical self defence techniques. Loose, comfortable clothing should be worn. Next enrolment date – 6 ^th September 2010.

Intermediate/Advanced Classes

Mondays & Wednesdays 8:00 – 9:00pm

These classes are for all current members, and prospective members, who have achieved a minimum grade of 8^th Kup (yellow belt) in Taekwon-Do. Contact us for details of joining this class.

Red Belt & Black Belt Classes

Times & Venues Vary

These additional classes, which focus on the advanced Taekwon-Do syllabus, are run on a regular basis for our members who have reached a minimum grade of red belt, and are taught by either Master Robert Howard 7^th Degree or Mr Mark O’Donnell 6^th Degree.

Find Out More

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

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

Or click here to find out more about Taekwon-Do.

For information on our sister school in Athlone, visit www.athlonetkd.com

Diary Dates

In Memoriam-The Founder of Taekwon-Do

ITF PLAQUE     

CODE OF ETHICS   

Irish Sports Council  

Latest News

ITF Course – First GrandMaster Rhee

Mr. O'Donnell VI and Mr Collins II 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 as far away as Slovenia. Grandmaster Rhee was an inspiration as always, and was assisted in conducting the seminar by Senior Masters Cutler, Williamson, Taylor, O'Neill & Miller. The course was spread over 2 days and covered all aspects of Taekwon-Do including the 24 patterns, as well as the correct methodology for conducting classes.

Grading Results

Congratulations to our members who were successful in the colour belt grading on 21st August. Well done also to the members from Athlone who were promoted on the day. Examiners were Master Howard VII and Mr O'Donnell VI, ITF International Instructors. Results as follows:

National Colour Belt Squad

The first squad session of the R.I.T.A. National Colour Belt Development Squad is to take place in The Dojang, North Quay, Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday, 11^th September from 12.00pm to 2.30pm, under the instruction of National Colour Belt Coach, Mr Paul Tobin 3^rd Degree. This is a fantastic opportunity for interested colour belts to get involved in squad training for the national colour belt team, and develop their competition skills under a great coach. All members who are interested in competition are strongly encouraged to get involved in this great development programme. More info on the RITA website (www.rita-itf.org) or from Mr Tobin at 087-2447886 or e-mail paultbn@gmail.com.

National Black Belt Class

ITF Senior Master Anthony Phelan 8^th Degree recently visited Athlone to conduct an official Black Belt Class. Members ranging from 1^st to 7^th Degree attended from RITA schools all over the country to benefit from Senior Master Phelan’s vast experience in Taekwon-Do which spans over 40 years. Six Galway black belts took part in the class (pictured above): Mr Paul Connolly 1^st Degree, Mr Conor McCormack 1^st Degree, Mr Martin Mahoney 2^nd Degree, Senior Master Phelan 8^th Degree, Mr Tim Collins 2^nd Degree, Ms Therese McGrath 1^st Degree, Ms Marina O’Donnell 2^nd Degree

Some of the next generation of TKD Black Belts from the Howard & O’Donnell families also came along to visit.

Recent Grading

Congratulations to all the members who were successful at the recent Grading & Juniors Assessment held at the end of June:

Well done to everyone!
Our Tigers & Dragons class is on Summer break, and will re-start on September 8^th. To find out more about the class or book a place for your child, please contact us.

Wednesday Workshops

The summer series of Wednesday night 'workshop' classes kicked off on 7^th July with a 2 hour session dedicated to stretching and increasing flexibility. The idea behind the class was to give the students the knowledge necessary to develop their own flexibility programme at home. The correct methodology for warming up was explained to the students, followed by intensive work on various stretching methods, including dynamic, static (active & passive), and isometric stretching, both single and partnered. The members were then taken through the correct process for cooling down. The second workshop covered powerbreaking techniques, and began with an explanation of the TKD theory of power, and how it applies to breaking techniques. Members then practiced a variety of breaking techniques on focus boards & timber, and black belts were given 'the brick'! The workshop classes continue until 1 September, with a different topic each week, and all eligible members are encouraged to attend.

Athlone Class

Mr O’Donnell was invited to the Athlone School recently to conduct a class in the new Dojang located at the Bower secondary school gym. Some of the Galway members also travelled over to attend the class. With a broad range of students present, from members who were attending their first ever Taekwon-Do class up to 2nd Degree Black Belt, fundamental movements & close range self defence techniques were the main focus of the 2-hour session. After finishing the main class, Mr O’Donnell also covered pattern instruction for the black belts.

Third ITF International Course

The Lucan Spa Hotel in Dublin was the venue for the third ITF International Course conducted by the RITA’s Senior Master Francis Barrett VIII Degree. Members of the association from all parts of Ireland and ranging from 8^th Kup Yellow Belt to VII Degree Master gathered in the hall on the first day of the two-day event. Seniors in attendance on the course included our own Master Robert Howard VII, and the RITA’s most recently promoted VII Degree, Master John Jacob. The Galway School was represented by Mr O’Donnell, Mr Collins, Mr McCormack, and Ms McGrath... Photos and Full Report

Code of Ethics Course

Five of our members recently completed the Code of Ethics Awareness Course for Childrens’ Sport. Mr Connolly, Mr McCormack, Ms McGrath, Damien Vaughan, and P.J. Flaherty took part in the course which was run by the Galway City Sports Partnership in City Hall. Our School has adopted a Code of Practice for Children in Taekwon-Do. All adult members and parents of junior students are encouraged to familiarise themselves with this document - click here to view.

National Instructors Course

Well done to our Black Belt Members who completed the ITF/RITA National Instructors Course conducted recently by Senior Master Howard 8^th Degree and Senior Master Barrett 8^th Degree. Our school was represented at the course by Mr O’Donnell 6^th Degree, Mr Martin Mahoney 2nd Degree, Mr Tim Collins 2^nd Degree, Mr Conor McCormack 1^st Degree, and Ms Therese McGrath 1^st Degree.

RITA Black Belt Class - Athlone

Senior Master Anthony Phelan VIII will conduct an official RITA Black Belt Class hosted by Athlone Taekwon-Do School on Sunday 18^th July from 12-2pm. The venue is the Bower Secondary School, Retreat Road, Athlone. Open to all registered RITA Black Belts. Click here to download form.

Senior Masters Seminar

Mr O’Donnell, along with four members of the school (Mr Paul Connolly, Rafal Aksamit, Ciaran Flatley, and Damien Vaughan) attended the recent Patterns & Power Seminar conducted by Senior Master Robert Howard VIII, Senior Master Anthony Phelan VIII, and Senior Master Francis Barrett VIII, and hosted by St Marks TKD School. It was yet another great seminar, and the Senior Masters covered fundamental movements & patterns up to Tong-Il in detail before moving onto the power and breaking section. Sincere thanks to the Senior Masters and to Ms Keane and all at St Marks for a great event.

Success at ITF Ireland Cup

Well done to all our members who took part in the inaugural ITF Ireland Cup in Waterford on 17^th April. We had 8 members competing bringing home a total of 11 medals for our school, and everyone came away with a medal. Results as follows:

Thanks to our Black Belt members for umpiring on the day, and as always, a very big thank you to Mr Floyd Keane VI and the RITA Tournament Committee for running yet another successful event.

Grading Results

Congratulations to all our members who were successful in the colour belt grading on 10^th April. Well done also to the members from Athlone who were promoted on the day. Examiner was Mr O᾿Donnell VI, ITF International Instructor. Results as follows:

The next main colour belt grading is planned for August in Athlone. There will be an assessment for the 10^th Kup [white belt] junior members (Tigers/Dragons) in Galway on Wednesday 30^th June.

Black Belt Promotions

Congratulations to Mr Tim Collins, who was promoted to 2^nd Degree Black Belt, and Ms Sarah Kirk, who was promoted to 1^st Degree, at the recent RITA Black Belt Grading in Dublin. The grading panel consisted of Senior Master Howard VIII Degree, Senior Master Phelan VIII Degree & Senior Master Barrett VIII Degree. Well done to both Galway members on your promotions.

Congratulations Master Jacob

We would like to extend warmest congratulations to the RITA᾿s newest Master. Master John Jacob from Waterford was promoted to 7^th Degree by First Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha at the Black Belt Seminar and Grading in Glasgow on 7^th March. Congratulations, Master Jacob, from Mr O᾿Donnell and all of us in the Galway Taekwon-Do School.

New Athlone TKD Website

A new website has been set up for the Athlone Taekwon-Do School. Visit www.athlonetkd.com to keep up with all the latest news from the school.

Click here to download our 2010 School Calendar.

News Archive

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