Carlow Wadokai Karate Academy is a full time Karate dojo which was opened in September of 2001. Carlow Wadokai was formed in 1977 by it's present Sensei, Mr. Colin Keating JKF. Sensei Keating began his Wado Ryu training in 1970 at the Temple Karate Centre in Birmingham, England, which was then under the instruction of Toru Takamizawa Sensei. Being part of the old UKKF under Tatsuo Suzuki the Temple Karate Centre members regularly enjoyed instruction from all of the well known Japanese instructors that were teaching in the U.K. at that time.<\p>

When Sensei Keating returned to Ireland in 1976 he joined the now defunct Irish Karate Federation eventually opening his own club in Co. Carlow. Over the years Sensei Keating has brought many of Wado's famous names to teach at his dojo including Shiomitsu and Iwasaki Senseis, Sensei Doug James, Sensei Sugasawa, Sensei Iain Abernethy and Sensei Oliver Brunton and Sensei Derek Desmond.

It was in 1988 that things began to change for Carlow Wadokai. 1988 saw the first international instructor visit to the Carlow dojo. Sensei Doug James 7th Dan WKF was invited to teach and grade, and an application was made for Carlow Wadokai to bcome members of Sensei James' British Karatedo Chojinkai. Doug was instumental in helping Colin organise the dojo to international standards.

In 2002 Sensei Oliver Brunton began conducting seminars and gradings at the Carlow dojo. 2008 Saw the Carlow Wadokai grup affilliate to Sensei Derek Desmond's WADOKAI ASSOCIATION OF IRELAND (WKAI). We look forward to working alongside him in promoting high standards of practice and for the younger members a thorough insight into the participation in competitions. All members of Carlow Wadokai continue to have direct access to official Japanese Wadokai grades. Carlow Wadokai now runs five branch clubs alligned the Honbu dojo in Carlow town.