KARATE ARRIVAL TO TOWN FOUR DECADES AGO BY LAURA SHEEHAN 40 years have passed since Leo Mulvany climbed the stairs to the Social Centre Gym in Society Street to see what the local karate club was about. He liked what he saw so he joined the club and the rest is history. At that time, Richard Hayes, a native of Portumna, was the Sensei in charge of Itosu-Kai karate in Ballinasloe (1976). Richard had worked in Toronto for a number of years and practised karate under Shihan Kei Tsumura, the Chief Instructor of Shito-Ryu Itosu-Kai Karate in Canada. Training in the early days was tough and strict and we were certainly fit. Leo remembers many of the members from 1976, Michael O’Hehir, Liam Jordan, Alo Quinn (RIP), Raphael McCormack, Noel Ryan, Barbara Hill to mention a few.
chief instructor of Itosu-Kai Karatedo Ireland (IKKI). The association kept up its international links over the years by travelling to Canada to train with Tsumura Shihan in both karate and kobudo, the ancient art of weaponry and to take part in the Canadian Karate Championships. The Irish Association owes a debt of gratitude to the Canadian Association and Tsumura Shihan for his patience, inspiration and teaching over the past 40 years. Tsumura Shihan was no stranger to these shores as the Irish association hosted him and his instructors on at least 10 occasions since the late 70’s.
The IKKI has evolved to a truly internationally recognised force in world karate. Attending national and international training seminars and competitions is vital in maintaining a world standard and to undergo peer review at As more students began practising that level. IKKI affiliation and karate in the area (from local involvement with both national and neighbouring towns) it was and international organisations At the Itosu-Ryu Karate Championships, Los Angeles. July 2016. L-R: Jake inevitable after a time, that other has proved essential and beneficial Mulvany, John Dolphin, Marie Dolphin, Leo Mulvany (IKKI Chief Instructor), Itosu-Kai karate clubs would open. for the administration and Tony Dolphin & Josh Judge. This was orchestrated by the governance of the association. Ballinasloe headquarters (Hombu This takes huge effort and commitment from coaches, instructors, Dojo) under Richard, Leo and Tony Dolphin. The first clubs outside students and family. Student performances tends to be our showcase of the town were in Loughrea and Athlone. quite often and they show this in abundance. In 1981, Leo and Tony travelled to Toronto, Canada, and trained under However, our main priority is to provide a social outlet for everyone Shihan Kei Tsumura for a few weeks. Leo was ranked to 1st Dan degree in our communities, male, female, young and not so young and to black belt in Toronto and was Richard’s first student to attain this rank. provide a safe and positive karate training experience for all. Tony followed suit in 1983 and ranked to 1st Dan. These were heady days There are 9 dojos in the IKKI association: Ballinasloe (Hombu Dojo), indeed, karate was a relatively new phenomenon and together with New Inn (Tony Dolphin), Galway City (Claire Harte), Kiltormer training, teaching, travelling, demonstrating and competing, it was so (Marie Dolphin), Loughrea (Kevin Casey), Eyrecourt (John Dolphin), exciting to be in karate and breaking new ground. Those who travelled Mountrath & Roscrea (Donal Monahan), Mountbellew (Jake Mulvany). to Dublin in 1977 to compete in the All-Ireland Karate Championships held in the Mansion House are unlikely to ever forget the experience! For a comprehensive review of IKKI activities browse our Karate went from strength to strength over time. In the early website: www.itosukaiireland.org eighties, Richard passed the instructorship to Leo who became the
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