Shay Paget 9th Degree Kenpo Karate Instructor was born in the inner city of Dublin 1943. He is a European Director for the American Kenpo International. Shay as he is known began his Martial Arts training in the Art of KENPO KARATE in 1963 at the Fitzwilliam Square Kenpo club under the guidance of John McSweeney. After his return home from a working period in Jersey C.I. he decided to join the new Kenpo club in Harcourt Street Kenpo club run by Mr. Maurice Mahon. Shay has 43yrs experience in the art of Kenpo and is one of the most respected technical advisers in the art.

Shay received his 9th Degree Black Belt from the American Kenpo International also had the great honour to be awarded & received his Judan 9th Degree Masters Certificate from the Kenpo International Yudanshakai Mr. Al Tracy.
Also the American Kenpo Karate Association Mr. Tom Saviano, 10th Degree Master.

1963:
Began his training at Fitzwilliam Square Kenpo Karate club under the guidance of Mr. John McSweeney.

1966:
Joined Harcourt Street Kenpo Karate Club operated by Mr. Maurice Mahon & Noel Halpin,

1968:
Mick Molloy & Jackie Skelton became the Black Belt Instructors of Harcourt Street.

1971:
Opened High Street Kenpo Club with Mr. Maurice Mahon, Jackie Skelton, Barney Coleman & Richie Connor.

1973:
He received his Black Belt from Mr. Maurice Mahon & Jackie Skelton at High Street Kenpo Club.

1974:
Conducted Barney Coleman’s Black Belt examination with Maurice Mahon & Jackie Skelton in Baggot Street, Dublin.

1974:
He met Mr. Ed Parker when he 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. Everyone in KENPO KARATE attended to see the Mr. Parker in action.

1974:
Shay, Maurice, Barney, Jackie & Don Cassidy were special guests of Mr. Parker at Fitzwilliam Square for special Black Belt class & seminar.

1974:
Travelled to Jersey with the ‘Republic of Ireland Kenpo Karate Federation’ squad to demonstrate for the Battle of the Flowers for Jersey Television arranged by Mr. Maurice Mahon, the squad were: Chief Instructor Maurice Mahon, Black Belts Shay Paget, Barney Coleman & Jack Skelton. Jimmy Poland was a young Blue Belt, Tom Tracy Green Belt, Hughie Hanratty Purple Belt, Stephen Rowe Yellow Belt, Jim Ross Yellow Belt, Paul Traynor Yellow Belt, Eddie Poland Yellow Belt, Hughie Crowther White Belt. Don Cassidy was running the club in Jersey in the guidance of Mr. Maurice Mahon.

The demonstration was a great success as we wore the ‘Oriental Haki-mari’ outfits during the display. Maurice Mahon displayed his feats of power & skill as he did the break of the ‘tiles on fire’ which exploded giving him burns as he caught fire.
Barney Coleman displayed his talents with a six foot leap into the air with the chicken kick breaking tiles in midair. Jack Skelton done some power breaks with the chop. Shay Paget demonstrated the elbow power breaks & some techniques. The rest of the squad assisted with all the demonstrations.
The show was so impressive that we were offered a tour of Europe to display our art in Kenpo. This was the first real Kenpo Fellowship to travel abroad.

1974:
Travelled with the National Team to ‘Crystal Palace’ London
For the EKU European Championships. Team were: Barney Coleman, Jim Rice,
Ambrose Moloney, Joe Teeling, Eugene Healy, and Ray Murduff.

1973/74/75/75/77/79/80.
Received the Kenpo Karate forms 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 technical advisor for the I.K.K.F. R/up team

1976:
Received the Kenpo’s form of the year I.K.K.F. Award

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.

1978:
Coach to forms winning team at Arklow Championships

1978:
Conducted the Black Belt examination for Paddy Kennedy & Tony Hamilton in High Street Kenpo Club.

1978 ---- 1984
Learned and exchanged ideas with fellow Kenpoist to master the system for our organisation

1984:
Was one of the Kenpo organisers who arranged part in running the E.A.K.F. Junior & Senior European C/ships at Belfield College Dublin Ireland

1985:
Assisted Barney Coleman before he travelled to Japan & Hong Kong and fought with the Shotokan squad

1987:
Attended as coach with the Irish squad at the European Karate Championships, Germany.

1989:
Met with Mr. Ed Parker at Bloom’s Hotel and exchanged ideas on Kenpo.

1990:
Conducted demonstrations & appearances at Karate functions.

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

1993:
Received Award at the Kenpo Dinner Dance celebrating Kenpo 30yrs in Ireland.

1995:
Attended Civic Reception by the Lord Mayor Thomas McGiolla at the Mansion
House, Dublin to celebrate Maurice Mahon 30yrs a Black Belt.

2003:
Refereed & Judged all forms division I.K.K.I. c/ships and some 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.

2007:
Received the Kenpo Hall of Fame Award from the Tracy’s organisation in Chicago.

2007:
Received his 9th Degree from Mr. Al Tracy Organisation also American Kenpo International also International Kenpo Karate John McSweeney’s Organisation.

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