JOE GLAVIN SHIDOIN

His journey began in 1979 when he joined The Lough Karate Club, training in Shotokan Karate  under the guidance of Sensei Kevin Murphy (JKA). Over the following decades, he earned multiple high-ranking black belts, including GoDan (5th Dan) in Shotokan Karate, reflecting his unwavering dedication to mastery and continuous pursuit of excellence. Joe Glavin Shidoin holds a SanDan (3rd Dan) in Koryu Uchinadi Kenpo Jutsu and is a graduate of the IRKRS/Koryu Uchinadi Instructor Training Programme. The first in Cork and one of only seven people in Ireland who have graduated from the ITP. Post Covid he is the only one still training and teaching. 

Shidoin Glavin’s contributions to the martial arts community have been recognized through numerous awards and accolades, including the 2020 IRKRS Yudansha (Black Belt) of the Year, multiple IRKRS Honourable Mentions, and the IRKRS Dojo Award. His teaching philosophy is rooted in the principles of effective self-defense, discipline, and respect, helping his students develop both technical skill and personal growth through their training. Shidoin Joe’s dedication to karate and the efforts that he puts into the Dojo are quite frankly impressive and his ability to continue to put so much effort into Karate after 45+ years is inspiring. When asked, he will always say that the key to his motivation is and always has been his need to evolve (the reason for his transition to Koryu Uchinadi) His students and by looking at all things with “a new mind”.