In the autumn of 1972 Shotokan Karate was introduced to Mallow, when members of the recently established Fermoy Karate Club held a six week course by way of introduction to karate. The course took place in the Hibernian Hotel with a group of roughly 30 beginners taking part. At the end of the six weeks the Fermoy instructors continued to attend on a fairly regular basis with the Mallow members traveling to Fermoy for training sessions. The first grading took place in Fermoy on 1st June, 1973 under Japanese Instructor and Grading Examiner Mr. Kato.

It was decided that Mr. Frank Cope, Grading Examiner and Instructor should be written to with a view to appointing him as our instructor and grading examiner. Mr. Cope came to Mallow in the summer of 1976 and continued to come two or three times a year up to a few years ago. The club still has close links with Mr. Cope.

Mallow Shotokan Karate Club continues in existence today and has a membership of between 40 or 50 karate ka. It promotes traditional shotokan karate not only in the Mallow area but also in the North Cork and South Limerick area as well. A lot of karate ka have passed through the doors of the club. Some of them continue to practice and teach both here in Ireland and overseas.

The Instructors

Tim McGrath has trained with the club for 27 years and is responsible for the training and day to day running of the club organising gradings and maintaining the high standard set by the club.

Mick Donovan, one of the founding members of the club, in his retirement years still work tirelessly teaching and assisting with gradings.

Timmy O’Callaghan has trained with the club for a number of years and assists with the training of students.

Don Barrett, Club Secretary, teaches and helps with the day to day running of the club.

Mallow Shotokan Karate-Do has gone from strength to strength over the years and looks forward to bringing traditional Shotokan Karate to Mallow for the next 30 years.