Getting Started
What age can my child start Taekwon-Do?
Our Kubz programme is designed for children aged 4–7, Samurais for ages 8–12, and students aged 13+ train in our Teen/Adult programme
Can we try a class before joining?
Yes. We offer a free trial class so you or your child can experience a class before deciding whether to join.
How do I book a free trial?
Click Book a Trial on our website and select the appropriate class. You can then join the waiting list, and we will contact you to arrange your free trial class.
Do I or my child need any previous martial arts experience?
Not at all. Complete beginners are welcome. Students are introduced to Taekwon-Do progressively and at a level appropriate to their age and experience.
What should we wear for the first class?
Comfortable sports clothing is perfect for a trial class. There is no need to purchase a Taekwon-Do uniform before trying a class.
Do I need to be fit or flexible before starting?
No. You don’t need to get fit or flexible before starting Taekwon-Do. Fitness, strength, mobility, coordination and flexibility develop progressively through training.
Choosing the Right Class
What is the Kubz programme?
Kubz is our programme for children aged 4–7. At this age, our emphasis goes beyond simply teaching martial arts techniques. Classes develop coordination, confidence, communication and positive behaviour, with particular emphasis on Effort and Attitude.
How does the Kubz grading system work?
Kubz have their own progression system. Students wear an orange belt and progress through White Tag, Yellow Tag, Green Tag, Blue Tag and Black Tag. After achieving Black Tag, they can progress into Samurais and grade directly to Yellow Belt.
What are Samurais classes?
Samurais is our Taekwon-Do programme for ages 8–12. Students continue developing effort and attitude while training becomes progressively more skill-based, with greater emphasis on the technical, physical and personal-development aspects of Taekwon-Do.
What age are the Teen/Adult classes for?
Our Teen/Adult programme is for students aged 13+. Teenagers and adults train together, and complete beginners are welcome.
Am I too old to start Taekwon-Do?
Adults can begin Taekwon-Do without previous martial arts experience. Training is progressive, so you can start at your current level of fitness, flexibility and experience. We have several studetns in their 40s, 50s, and 60s.
Training & Development
Is Taekwon-Do good for fitness?
Yes. Regular Taekwon-Do training develops cardiovascular fitness, strength, mobility, balance, coordination and flexibility while developing martial arts skills at the same time.
Is Taekwon-Do effective for self-defence?
Self-defence is an important part of our training, but we believe effective self-defence involves considerably more than physical techniques. Training also develops awareness, confidence, decision-making, avoidance and appropriate responses to potentially difficult situations.
What else do children learn besides Taekwon-Do techniques?
Our children’s programmes place considerable emphasis on personal development. Depending on age, this includes confidence, communication, self-control, discipline, teamwork, resilience and personal safety.
How do gradings work?
Students progress through a structured syllabus and are assessed as they develop the knowledge and skills appropriate to their grade. Kubz have their own tag system, while Samurais and Teen/Adult students progress through the standard Taekwon-Do colour-belt system.
Do students take part in competitions and seminars?
Competitions and seminars form part of the wider Taekwon-Do learning experience. They provide opportunities to develop skills, gain experience and train or compete with students outside normal academy classes.
About Taekwon-Do
What is ITF Taekwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do is a Korean martial art founded by General Choi Hong Hi. We practise ITF Taekwon-Do, with training incorporating fundamental movements, patterns, sparring, self-defence, physical conditioning and other elements of the art.
Are Taekwon-Do and karate the same?
No. Taekwon-Do and karate are distinct martial arts with different histories, technical systems, terminology and methods of training. There are similarities between them, as there are between many striking martial arts, but Taekwon-Do has its own technical principles and syllabus.
What are Taekwon-Do patterns?
Patterns are set sequences of attacking and defensive movements performed against imaginary opponents. They are an important part of ITF Taekwon-Do and become progressively more technically demanding as students advance.
What organisation is the Academy affiliated with?
Connacht Taekwon-Do Schools is affiliated with ITF HQ Ireland, the Irish organisation connected with ITF HQ Korea.
Connacht Taekwon-Do Academy
How long has Connacht Taekwon-Do Academy been established?
Connacht Taekwon-Do Academy, the first Taekwon-Do School in Galway, opened in 1993. In 2013, we moved into our dedicated full-time Taekwon-Do centre at Glenrock Business Park.
Who is the Chief Instructor?
The Academy is led by Master Shane Fitzgibbon, VIII Dan, Chief Instructor of Connacht Taekwon-Do Schools and founder of ITF HQ Ireland. He began training in Taekwon-Do in 1987 and has trained students from complete beginners through to individual World Champions.
Where is the Academy?
Connacht Taekwon-Do Academy operates from our dedicated full-time centre at Glenrock Business Park, Galway.
What is the Online Hub?
The Online Hub provides students with additional training and learning resources that they can use outside their regular classes. It is designed to support and complement instructor-led training, allowing students to revise, practice and develop their understanding between classes.
Can I learn Taekwon-Do through the Online Hub instead of attending classes?
No. The Online Hub is a supplementary learning resource rather than a replacement for regular classes. Instructor feedback, correction, partner work and practical training remain essential parts of learning Taekwon-Do.