A new karate club is to feature in an Irish-language series on RTÉ about martial arts.
The Donegal School of Shotokan Karate and sensei Mary O’Neill will take to the screen in Cailíní Comhraic, which will follow a number of diverse martial arts practices nationwide.
Mary’s school was chosen as the only representative of karate nationwide on the show, which will also follow her own practice of the martial art.
She says that she wishes to showcase the inclusivity of karate for all ages, with her club welcoming those of all ages and skill levels to come along and train.
Mary herself says she is “super excited to pass on what she can to current and new club members showing how to embrace the discipline, camaraderie, and personal development that karate has to offer.”
The school’s new term is starting on Wednesday 3rd of January and all newcomers welcome. She currently has little ninjas, male and female members with all degrees of experience and is opening the doors to the new OAKs (older aged karatekas) with a few members 70 plus already signing up, with Mary reiterating that “there is no age limit to attacks on the street and it’s also a great way to increase mobility in daily life”.
Mary says that “It is our perception of life’s difficulties that determine the way we deal with them, without fear we cannot be brave, and without failure we will not feel the ecstasy of getting back up and winning the moment. Failure is not a choice but quitting is! Karate and life has its fair share of setbacks but it is in embracing them that we become stronger. Quitting, or never starting, is the only true defeat. Don’t wait until tomorrow to make a change, take the step today.”
