HIGH STREET KENPO KARATE CLUB IS LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE VIKING CITY, DUBLIN.8.
THE CLUB IS ATTACHED TO THE HISTORICAL CITY WALL OF THE LIBERTIES. THE CITY WALL AND LAST REMAINING GATE IS WHERE THE “VIKINGS” CAME IN ‘988’ AND DONE BATTLE. WE ARE PROUD TO BE ON THIS HALLOWED GROUND AS REAL WARRIORS.
THE CLUB OPENED ITS DOORS TO THE MARTIAL ARTS IN 1971.
WE SHARED THE HALL AT THAT TIME WITH THE FAMOUS USHER CELTIC F.C. IN THE LAST 37yrs IT HAS TRANSPIRED INTO ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS CLUBS IN IRELAND AND IT HOLDS ITS PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE AMOUNG OTHER MARTIAL ARTS. THE CLUB TEACHES KENPO KARATE AND ADVANCED MARTIAL ARTS.
THE INSTRUCTORS AT THAT TIME WERE:
JACKIE SKELTON, BLACK BELT.
SHAY PAGET, RICHIE CONNOR & BARNEY COLEMAN
BROWN BELTS
MAURICE MAHON-CHIEF INSTRUCTOR.
HIGH STREET WAS AN OLD SCHOOL ROOM WITH THE WOODEN FLOOR AND 60w BULBS FOR LIGHT. WHEN THE FOOTBALLERS IN TRAINING WOULD BREAK THE LIGHTS IT NEVER DETERED US FROM OUR TRAININGWE WOULD GO TO THE SHOP ON THE HILL, BY SOME CANDLES AND TRAIN IN THE CANDLE LIGHT. AFTER WE SWEPT THE FLOOR FROM THE FINE BROKEN GLASS.
TRAINING WAS DONE IN BARE FEET THEN AND STILL IS. IT GIVES US A TRUE FEELING OF REAL TRAINING. THE CLASSES WERE VERY STRONG AND HARD. EACH INSTRUCTOR HAD A SPECIAL TALENT.
MAURICE MAHON HE WAS THE REAL MASTER, POWER, TECQ, AND UNUSUAL FEATS OF CHALLENGE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. JACKIE
SKELTON WAS A GREAT BLACK BELT, HIS POWER AND KICKING ABILITY WAS UNTOUCHABLE.
SHAY PAGET WAS A MASTER OF FORM/TECQ.
RICHIE CONNOR WAS A GREAT TRAINER AND INSTRUCTOR.
BARNEY COLEMAN HAD GREAT FIGHTING ABILITY AND FLAIR.
WHEN INJURIES OCCURRED THE STUDENT WAS CARRIED OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND LEFT TO RECOVER. INSURANCE WAS NOT HEARD OF IN THE MARTIAL ARTS AT THAT TIME, NOW IT’S A MUST.
EVERYONE WHO TRAINED IN HIGH STREET CAN BE PROUD TO BOAST ABOUT THE BLOOD/SWEET OR TEARS THEY EXPERIENCED THERE. THE TRAINING WAS LIKE WHAT YOU RECEIVE IN THE MARINES, NO LET UP. ABOUT 70% OF ALL KENPO BLACK BELTS IN DUBLIN GRADED IN HIGH STREET OR BAGGOT STREET CLUBS UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF MAURICE MAHON & BOARD.
LIST WILL BE AVAILABLE ON FAMILY TREE.