11/02/2026
Taekwon-Do in Ireland didn’t just begin in 1972 when the Republic of Ireland Taekwon-Do Association was founded by First Grand Master Ki Ha Rhee. Our Senior Instructors were already training in 1967, with FGM Rhee coming over monthly to teach after just arriving to the UK from Singapore. Even before the RITA was founded Grand Master Robert J Howard, Master Liam Dandy and the late Mr Frank Matthews had received their Black Belts in Oxford 1971. Our new President Grand Master Anthony Phelan was awarded his black belt in 1973 which was the same year he opened a School in Waterford that our Vice President Grand Master Francis Barrett joined.
All our Senior Instructors can trace their heritage directly to General Choi in an unbroken line for the last 54 years!
If you are interested in joining an Association with both a history and forward thinking future that can provide your students with access to high level European Championships and truly global World Championships attended by Koreans then get in touch.
We’d love to see you at the ITF Ireland Cup March 7th to discuss your needs