Welcome to the Carlow Wadokai Karate Academy website.

The Carlow Wadokai Karate Academy runs a full time Dojo (training centre) in Carlow town in the Republic of Ireland. Established in 1977 by it's current chief instructor, Sensei Colin Keating, it is one of the oldest Wado Ryu Karate schools in Ireland. Training at the Academy caters for both Applied Karate for self defence (Bunkai Jutsu) and Sports Karate (WKF). Due to the nature of Bunkai Jutsu, training for self defence is restricted to ADULT classes only, WKF Competition Karate is trained at Childrens, Cadets and Junior classes. We have branch dojos at Baltinglass Karate Club, Co. Wicklow, and Tullow Karate Club, Co. Carlow.

Visiting instructors over the years have included many of the top Japanese sensei (Shiomitsu, Iwasaki, Sugasawa senseis). Colin and several members of Carlow Wadokai attended the Irish seminar in 1996 given by World Grandmaster Ohtsuka 10th Dan.

Beginning his Wado training in 1970, Colin like many others came under the influence of Tatsuo Suzuki. He also recieved regular instruction from Toru Takamizawa, Peter Suzuki, Meiji Suzuki and Sakagami sensei whilst he trained at the Temple Karate Centre in Birmingham.

Iain Abernethy 5th Dan has conducted several Bunkai Jutsu seminars at Carlow Wadokai. Colin's research and teaching of Wado's Karate applications for Self Defence has been instrumental in him bringing Bunkai Jutsu experts such as Iain Abernethy to Carlow. Iain has been a welcome seminarist at Carlow Wadokai.

Sensei Derek Desmond 5th Dan JKF, WKAI chief instructor and ONAKAI National Kumite coach visits the Carlow dojo regularly for gradings and coaching. With WKF competition becoming more and more popular with young Karate-Ka, Colin' initiative in bringing the Irish National Kumite coach to teach Tactics and Strategies of competition fighting to the Carlow Dojo Junior, Cadet and Children's sections at regular squad training, has proved to be very popular and informative. Colin had expressed a wish to retire from coaching for competitions and wished to pursue his interest in researching and teaching Wado as an Applied Self Defence / Unarmed Combat system. As Sensei Desmond coaches WKF competitive Karate within a structure of athletic coaching designed by the NCTC in Limerick University, his experience and expertise has been very beneficial to the young Carlow competitors.

Colin Keating is also a fully qualified Professional Fitness Instructor and Presenter with N.C.E.F. certification. His Fitness specialities are Weight Training, Combat Aerobics/Combat Fitness, Etc.

Carlow Wadokai are members of JAPAN KARATE FEDERATION of WADOKAI (JKF), and the WADOKAI KARATE ASSOCIATION of IRELAND (WKAI) affilliated to O.N.A.K.A.I. The National Governing Body for Karate in Ireland. Carlow Wadokai operate a strict Code of Ethics and Child Protection program. Child Protection officer in attendance at ALL CHILDREN‘S CLASSES.

Academy Chief Instructor: Sensei Colin Keating JKF Wadokai. (NCEFI).
Assistant Senior Instructor: Sensei Billy Timmons JKF Wadokai.
Assistant Instructor: Ms. Antoinette McCormack JKF Wadokai.
Child Safety Officer and Dojo Secretary: Ms. Christine Keating

Full time Dojo / Fully Matted training area with Various impact training equipment (Punch Bags, Speed Balls etc.).

ADULT Classes Tuesdays / Thursdays 7 - 9pm and Sundays 12 - 1pm.

Children‘s Classes Tuesdays 6-7pm and Saturdays 12 - 1pm

Contact us at: The CARLOW WADOKAI KARATE ACADEMY DOJO, 10 Centaur Street, Carlow Town, Ireland

Postal Address: 30 St. Killian‘s Crescent, Carlow Town, Ireland. Phone 00353-87-9502333
Email carlowwadokai@eircom.net