Hello everyone, my name is Thomas Fennell.  I have 4 DAN in Shotokan Karate.  I’ve started training when I was 16 years old, my idol of all the times being Bruce Lee, the one that always has been an inspiration for me.  At some stage I was training together with Tommy McGrane.  I personally consider him as being one of the biggest karate fighters in Ireland.  For over 27 years we had a training room in Ballyfermot, which is located in the Ballyfermot Leisure Centre (OLV).  I have studied many fighting styles, including judo, tiquando, kushido, aikido... I picked bits and pieces from each one, I have combined them to work together, and I have created this new style I call “shotokan freestyle”.  I always have great care that nobody gets hurt or bruised, even if when one hears the word “karate”, instantly would make you think of violence.  We always must keep in mind the fact that karate is about self-defence.  The club do not take a monthly or yearly membership fee.  Everyone will attend when and if he/she feels like, and the payment is done on the spot, on the day.  The same, there is no such thing like “enrolment day” – anyone can join at any time, and you will learn and pick-up at your own pace.  For more information, interested persons can contact no. tel. what is displayed on web pages called "Contact." or "Home."  Welcome.