Taekwon-Do Blackbelt Grading 4th December 2011

Congratulations to our 14 newly promoted Blackbelt students and of course Mr Connor Donovan on his IV Degree which took place at Banner Martial Arts last December 4th with Master Creedon.

Check out the Photos which can be viewed on our Flickr website Click here »

Banner Martial Arts Open Tournament November 2011

Congratulations to every who competed in Sunday's Open Tournament and to all the top 3 winners in their categories.

Click here for RESULTS » & Photos can be viewed on our Flickr website Click here »

Check out the Video's of our newest category Self Defence Demonstration. Click here »

ITF Taekwondo World Championships 2012 - 6th - 13th August 2012

Venue: Ottowa, Canada

For more information please visit website: www.itf2012.com

Students, if you are interested in attending, please let us know as soon as you can, so we can organise a team and travel details

Congratulations to our newest Black Belt - Mr Fergus Courtney

Big Congratulations to Mr. Fergus Courtney who was awarded the schools 1st Black Belt in Kickboxing this week after his grading last Sunday. We would also like to congratulate all other Kickboxing and Taekwondo students on their successful belt promotions also this week

Mr Connor & Mrs Sarah Donovan

HAPKIDO GRADING 01-05-2011

14 Students of Hapkido students successully tested under Master Norman Creedon for their Hapkido Yellow Belts on Sunday. Master Creedon praised the standard of those testing and looks forward to the future of Hapkido in Ennis. After the grading Master Creedon taught a Hapkido class open to all, which was well-attended by 34 interested students.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE 2011

Over 120 members marched in this year's St. Patrick's Day parade. This year was very special in that we were joined by Master Norman Creedon who assisted us with putting on a Hapkido demonstration in front of the main stage during the parade. A great pportunity for the people of Clare to see something different! After the parade, over 200 members and family members got to witness a dynamic demo by Master Creedon and his team back at the school followed by an awesome Bouncy Castle Party with face painting and tea/coffee. Thanks to everyone who helped out on the day! Check out our photo galleries for pics!

ANNUAL SCION TAEKWONDO COMPETITION 2011

This weekend a group of "Banner Martial Arts & Fitness" students travelled to Cork to compete in the Annual Scion Taekwon-do Competition. 14 Banner Martial Artists competed amongst over 200 Martial Artists from across Ireland. Meagan O'Connor is only 4 years old and this was her first competition ever. She won First Place in her Pattern Division and 2nd Place in her Sparring Division. A special team of girls worked very hard together to choreograph and rehearse their own Musical Pattern Performance and have won 1st Place for the second year in a row! Natalia Fankulewska, Caitriona ni Riordain, Alice O'Brien, and Shauna Enright. Other acheivements include Michael Neylon winning 1st place for his Pattern Division, Paul Kirwin winning 3rd Place for his Pattern Division, Aaron Kelly 2nd Place in Sparring, James McNamee 3rd Place in Sparring, Caitriona ni Riordain 3rd Place in Patterns, and Natalia Fankulewska won 1st Place in both her Pattern and her Sparring Divisions! Instructors Mr. & Mrs. Donovan are very proud of the accomplishments of their students and of all the training and practice put into preparing for this annual event.

BMAF WINTER OPEN COMPETITION

Was a great success! Despite the bad weather, attendance was high and a good time was had by all! Thanks to everyone who participated with such positive attitudes and good sportsmanship. Mr. & Mrs. Donovan were well pleased with the atititudes and efforts of all of our students on the day. Thanks to everyone who helped with scoring, and judging. Thanks also to everyone who brought anything for the Clare Animal Welfare donation drive. Every little item added up to a great big help! Check out our photo gallery for photos of the day and results.

Master Class in Cashel

Banner Martial Arts & Fitness Black Belt instructors recently attended a Technical Master Class presented by Master Creedon on 7th of November in Csahel. The course was well attended by other ITF Eireann black belts who enjoyed to opportunity to focus on technical details of Black Belt patterns.

MASTER CREEDON'S HAPKIDO SEMINAR

It was an honor to host a visit from Master Norman Creedon, 8th Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-do, 5th Degree Black Belt in Hapkido. Master Creedon provided us with a very tasty introduction to the Korean Martial Art of Hapkido. Attendees had the opportunity to learn and practice a variety of very effective and practical self-defence techniques. Some participants had a background in Taekwon-do, some in Kickboxing, and some had no martial arts experience whatsoever, but everyone attending had a very satisfying day and left feeling empowered and enlightened. Many special thanks also to James, Jonathan, and Senad, some of Master Creeedon's students who cam to assist on the day. Everytime you turned around there was someone there to help explain and demonstrate. A fantastic lesson!

PAUL O'LEARY SEMINAR

Paul O'Leary visited our school recently for a very informative course on Kyusho Kitsu Pressure Points, with practical self-defence applications A greate day was had by all, and we came away with many useful techniques. Paul O'Leary is a 4th Dan Black Belt in Taekwon-do and a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Ao Den Kou Kitsu.

JOHN BRAWN SEMINAR

Many thanks to John Brawn for visitng our school recently. John taught a self-defence course focusing on restraint techniques and some pressure points. Participants also enjoyed the workout session John threw in at the end of the course. John is a Black Belt in Karate, and also a professional instructor of Close Protection Skills.

2010 ROBIN RUN RELAY RACE:

Our annual fundraiser for the Irish Cancer Society in memory of Jim Donovan. This year we ran 5k in a partners' relay. The weather was divine and the atmosphere was brilliant. A healthy dose of competition blended with a generous outpouring of teamwork. What else would you be doing on a Sunday morning? All proceeds will be donated to Cancer Reaserch. Final total raised will be announced when all the line cards have been returned. Many thanks to everyone who took part. Thank you.

• 1st Place Men's Team: Fergus Courtney & Patrick Courtney
• 2nd Place Men's Team: Connor Donovan & Mark Brophy
• 3rd Place Men's Team: John Hayes & David Bell

• 1st Place Ladies' Team: Martina Martin & Pamela Kennedy
• 2nd Place Ladies' Team: Aideen McCormack & Anne Marie Carpenter

• 1st Place Juniors' Team: Tim Janssen & Brendan Cussen

• 1st Place Family Team: Marie O'Brien & Bridget O'Brien
• 2nd Place Family Team: Aine Murphy & Mairead Murphy
• 3rd Place Family Team: Frank O'Brien & Alice O'Brien

2010 BLACK BELT GRADING:

Banner Martial Arts & Fitness is proud to promote EIGHT of our students to 1st Degree Black Belt!

Nathan D'Arcy

Kieran Thynne

Rachel Daly

Radion Bessonov

Gary Hennessy

Ryan Kerswill

Robert Kennedy

Martin McCormack

have all embodied the true spirit of Taekwon-do through their humble and dilligent study of the art.

FOR OLDER NEWS SEE OUR PHOTO GALLERIES!