A Few Words About Us

Welcome to the website of Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy. We are located in the town of Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland.

We have a wide selection of classes available for Adults, Teenagers and Children from 4 years upwards.

We teach Practical Self Defence Skills, the Advanced Kenpo Karate System and Sport Kickboxing.

New Members are always Welcome in Celbridge.

 

Our children’s program is focused on instilling Confidence, Discipline and Respect in a positive friendly environment through system of tip awards and a belt graduation structure.

Children's Teachers
Teacher Ranking
Aisling Downey 3rd Degree Black Belt
Richard Mullen 3rd Degree Black Belt
Paula Murphy 2nd Degree Black Belt
Robbie Cuffe 2nd Degree Black Belt
Amy Murphy 1st Degree Black Belt
Trish Downey 1st Degree Black Belt
Scott Gorevan 1st Degree Black Belt
Shauna Page 1st Degree Black Belt
Tara Byrne Advanced Cadet
Shane Eiffe Advanced Cadet
Colin Eiffe Advanced Cadet
Naomi Gorevan Advanced Cadet
Sarah Carolan Advanced Cadet
Aoife Dwyer Cadet Brown Belt

Our Teenage Cadet Syllabus is both challenging and rewarding. Whether your goal is achieving your black belt or competing as national or international competitor the experience of training in Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy will last a lifetime. Our classes are both fun and enjoyable while improving your physical and mental fitness.

Teenager's Teachers
Teacher Ranking
Aisling Downey 3rd Degree Black Belt
Richard Mullen 2nd Degree Black Belt
Niamh Carr 1st Degree Black Belt
Paula Murphy 2nd Degree Black Belt
Robbie Cuffe 2nd Degree Black Belt
Amy Murphy 1st Degree Black Belt
Trish Downey Brown Belt
Amy Kerr Brown Belt
Scott Gorevan Cadet Black Belt
Shane Eiffe Advanced Cadet
Tara Byrne Advanced Cadet

Whether your goal is to get in shape, reducing stress, improve your confidence or learn to protect yourself; then becoming a member of Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy will help you achieve these goals and more.

Adult Class Teachers
Teacher Ranking
Master Eddie Downey 10th Degree Black Belt
John Burgess 8th Degree Black Belt
Richard Burgess 8th Degree Black Belt
Donal Kavanagh 5th Degree Black Belt
Ryan Fitzgerald 5th Degree Black Belt
Eddie Maher 4th Degree Black Belt
Aisling Downey 3rd Degree Black Belt
Richard Mullen 3rd Degree Black Belt
Mike Moloney 2nd Degree Black Belt
Dave Connelly 2nd Degree Black Belt
Luke Madigan 2nd Degree Black Belt
Will Hand 2nd Degree Black Belt
Trish Downey 1st Degree Black Belt
Robert Mullen 1st Degree Black Belt

Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy was established in 1988 by Eddie and Martina Downey. The academy was officially opened by the late Kenpo Grand Master Ed Parker 10th degree Black Belt. The Academy was initially based for the first four years in Celbridge Mill Sport’s Centre and in 1992 we moved to our own purpose built Martial Arts Academy within the Mill Community Centre complex in Celbridge.

Eddie Downey was tested and promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt by Grand Master Ed Parker in 1988 in the city of Pasadena, California and since that period he has studied Kenpo extensively training under some of the world’s most respected and qualified Kenpo Instructors.

In 1992 Master Downey closed down his old Kenpo club "Sarsfield Kenpo Karate Club" in Dublin which had operated from 1981 to 1992 and then dedicated his efforts to developing his full-time academy in Celbridge. At this point two of his Sarsfield black belts Richard and John Burgess moved to continue their studies with Master Downey in the Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy.

Since the establishment of the Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy it’s black Belt graduate students have established 43 affiliated schools throughout Ireland and Europe.

in 1973 Eddie Downey began his Kenpo career in Dublin’s famous Fitzwilliam Street Kenpo Academy under the late Professor John Conway and later with Professor Maurice Mahon in Baggot Street, Dublin. During his Kenpo studies Master Downey became a close personal friend of the late pioneer of Kenpo Grandmaster Ed Parker, having known him since 1974.

Master Downey was the principal organiser of Ed Parker's numerous visits to Ireland and in 1981 after testing for his 1st degree Black Belt Master Downey began training directly under the supervision of Grandmaster Ed Parker. He subsequently achieved his 2nd degree black belt from Grand Master Parker in 1985 and his 3rd degree black belt in 1988. Grandmaster Parker then appointed Master Downey as a representative for his association in Ireland.

During the 1970s Master Downey had a very successful tournament career in Ireland taking first place in the all-Ireland Kenpo Karate Championships. Master Downey was a regular member of the Irish National Team for many years and represented his country at European and World Championships. He also competed and officiated at Ed Parker's Long Beach International Karate Championships for fifteen years. Master Downey is one the world’s leading experts in the Advanced Kenpo Karate System and over the past forty-five years has established an international reputation for his teaching skills and Kenpo Self Defence proficiency.

Master Downey has instructed Kenpo in the following countries: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jersey, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United States. Master Downey has united Kenpo students in Europe under the European Kenpo Karate Association (EKKA) and travels extensively throughout Europe teaching and developing the Kenpo system.

Master Downey is the international director of the Advanced Kenpo Training System (AKTS) and works closely with Master John Sepulveda to promote the association.

If you would like to study Kenpo with Master Downey you are welcome visit and train in the Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy, alternatively Master Downey is available to travel to your school to teach and instruct Advanced Kenpo Karate System to you and your students.

Since the establishment of the Academy in 1988 many of the worlds most respected Kenpo Masters have visited and taught in Celbridge.

Visitor Ranking
Grandmaster Ed Parker 10th Degree Black Belt
Master Frank Trejo 10th Degree Black Belt
Master Bob White 10th Degree Black Belt
Master John Sepulveda 10th Degree Black Belt
Master Richard "Huk" Planas 10th Degree Black Belt
Master Denis Tosten 10th Degree Black Belt
Master Johnny Conway Jr. 10th Degree Black Belt
Sigung Stephen LaBounty 9th Degree Black Belt
Master Lee Wedlake 9th Degree Black Belt
Master Paul Dye 9th Degree Black Belt
Master Jeff Speakman 9th Degree Black Belt
Master Brian Duffy 8th Degree Black Belt
European Kenpo Karate Association (EKKA)
We are founder members of the European Kenpo Karate Association which promotes and develops the Kenpo system throughout Europe. The EKKA has strict guidelines for membership and is guided by its senior European black belts who give support and guidance to its members schools throughout Europe.
Advanced Kenpo Training System (AKTS)
We are proud to be affiliated with Master John Sepulveda and the Advanced Kenpo Training System. The AKTS is an International association of Kenpo clubs and schools focused on teaching and promoting Kenpo with its headquarters in Nampa, Idaho, U.S.A.
Bob White’s Karate Studio, Costa Mesa, Calfornia, USA
We are honoured to have “Senior Master of the Arts” Bob White 10th degree black belt as a technical advisor to Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy. His influence, guidance and wisdom is truly inspirational. www.bwkenpo.com

Classes

New Students Welcome

  • All
  • Monday
  • Tuesday
  • Wednesday
  • Thursday
  • Saturday

Contact Us

Phone, visit, email or send us a message

Celbridge Karate Academy
Unit 6, The Mill
Main Street
Celbridge
Co. Kildare
Ireland

ed.downey@kenpokarate.ie

+353 86 157 5525

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