Barney received his 8th Degree Black Belt from the American Kenpo International under the guidance of Mr. Maurice Mahon & Mr. Tony Cogliandro.

1968:
Began his training at Harcourt Street Kenpo Karate club.

1973:
Travelled to London for his 1st Kyu Brown Belt exam under Mick Molloy.

1974:
He received his Black Belt from Mr. Maurice Mahon. Was the first person in Europe to be televised doing a Black Belt Exam.

1974:
Mr. Parker came to Ireland with Tom ‘the bear’ Kelly & George Quinosis as guests of Fitzwilliam Square Kenpo Club. A dinner dance & demonstration were held at the Burlington Hotel run by John Conway. Every in KENPO KARATE attended to see the master in action. During the demonstration, he required a volunteer to block his strikes; Barney was up like a shot.

1974:
Travelled to Jersey with the ‘R.I.K.K.F.’ squad to demonstrate for the Battle of the Flowers and Jersey Television

1974:
Was selected to fight for the National Team in ‘Crystal Palace’ London. He was the only one who won his fight. Team were: Jim Rice, Ambrose Moloney, Joe Teeling, Eugene Healy, and Ray Murduff.

1973/74/75/77/79/80.
Received the Kenpo Karate Demonstration Awards

1975:
Featured in the Sunday World with Yvonne Costello Miss Ireland who took Karate lessons from Mr. Maurice Mahon

1976:
I.K.C.B. C/ships. He was coach for the I.K.K.F. R/up team.

1976:
Received the fighter of the year I.K.K.F. Award

1976:
Refereed/Judged at the 1st all Ireland Kenpo Karate Championships, Mansion House.

1977:
Selected to the I.K.C.B. squad after training & winning is fights over two months to fight on the national team in Essen, Germany.
Team were: Mick Travers, Fran Nangle, Jim Byrne, Pat Saul, Robert Molloy, Pat Carey and Barney Coleman. Mr. Maurice Mahon and Mr. Tommy McGrane were Manager & Coach.

1977:
Fred Hamilton Karate Kung-Fu Championships, Harlem New York Came 4th in the Form section

1978:
Coach to winning team at Arklow Championships

1978:
Fought in the East Coast C/ships, came sixth also fought Richard Chun’s ‘Tae Kwon-Do Black Belts in his New York City Club.

1978;
He was the winner of the Dextrosal Award ‘Kenpo Fighter of the Year’ at the Mansion House Friday 22/Dec/1978. Paddy Kennedy was runner/up.

1979:
Met Chuck Norris in New York and discussed fighting tactics. Promoted his first film GOOD GUYS WEAR BLACK.

1980/81:
Received the fighters award I.K.K.I.

1981:
Was bodyguard to Mr. Parker at the W.A.C.O. C/ships in Ireland.

1982:
W.A.C.O. Full Contact R/up 79kg, Arklow Ireland.

1982: 1st Kung Fu C/ships Belfield Dublin.
2nd Place in Black Belt form division.
2nd Place in Black Belt H/W sparring division.

1983:
Received the Super Star Award.

1984:
Was presented with ‘Gold Medal’ for the part in running of the E.A.K.F. Junior & Senior European C/ships Belfield College Dublin Ireland

1984:
Trained & coached the Canadian Shotokan Team on visit to Ireland.

1985:
Won a ‘Gold Medal’ with the Shotokan squad in Billy Higgins C/ships, England.

1985:
Travelled to Japan & Hong Kong and fought with the Shotokan squad.

1986:
Returned to New York to participate in the 10th Annual Empire State C/ships as referee/judge and competitor. It was at these c/ships he met the famous Fred Hamilton & Cynthia Rothrock martial arts movie star.

1986:
Gave seminar in Holland at Willie Kelly’s club.

1987:
Refereed/Judged Irish Army all Styles Championships.
1987:
Attended the Long Beach Championships also visited Mr. Ed Parker’s house.

1987:
Attended as coach the European Karate Championships, Germany.

1987:
Received K.U.I. Shotokan Award from Sensei Tommy McGrane.

1988:
Coached brother Paul Coleman in Belfast Full Contact Event.

1988
Attended Bill Wallace Seminar, Stewarts Hospital, Dublin.

1989:
Manager of winning team in Germany won Bulvaria Cup.

1989:
Took part in Seminar with Mr. Ed Parker, Stewart’s Hospital.

1989:
Interview with Mr. Ed Parker at Bloom’s Hotel.

1989:
Conducted I.K.K.I. Seminar with Shay Paget & Black Belts.

1990:
Conducted demonstrations & appearances at Karate functions.

1992:
Manager of the Irish squad in Holland E.K.U. C/ships

1992:
Elected P.R.O. for the Irish Martial Arts Commission

1993:
Elected Treasurer for the Irish Kenpo Fellowship.

1993:
Elected to the Technical Board for the Irish Kenpo Fellowship.

1993:
Helped arrange the Dinner Dance Awards, Kenpo 30yrs in Ireland.

1994:
Was given Civic Reception to celebrate 20yrs a Black Belt
By the Lord Mayor Thomas McGiolla at the Mansion House, Dublin.

1994:
He was featured on the first Irish Fighter Magazine.

2003:
Refereed & Judged all I.K.K.I. c/ships and most all I.K.K.A. European & International C/ships

2003:
Received Award with others from the I.K.K.A. at reception in honour to the late Grandmaster Ed Parker in Boston USA.

2004:
1st Chinese New Year Kung Fu Demonstration in Smithfield was guest of honour.

2005:
Received the Hall of Fame Award in Texas

2007:
Received the Kenpo Hall of Fame Award in Chicago.

2007:
Part of the Kenpo 12 Masters Seminar held in Dublin.

2007:
One of the organisers who brought the Masters, Al Tracy, Tom Saviano, Becky & Greg to Ireland for seminars & grading.

2007:
Travelled to Maine USA with squad to conduct lecture & seminars on Kenpo