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Ken ByrneShihan Ken Byrne

7th Dan - Akarui-No-Chishiki-Kan - Jiu Jitsu Ireland
6th Dan - Shorinji Ryu JuJitsu Association, Hombu, Osaka, Japan

Ken Byrne (40) started his career in martial arts at the age of 14. He achieved a brown belt in Kempo Karate in 1983, while training with Mr. Niall Connelly 1st Dan Belt belt at the time. He joined Jiu Jitsu  in 1986 (The North Leinster Martial Arts federation). At this time he travelled twice a week to Swords and Julianstown in order to improve and perfect his chose Martial Art under the teaching of Mr. John Lupton. Ken achieved his 1st Dan Black belt on 19th May 1992. Having trained since 1979 this was a great moment in his career.

Declared Shihan at 5th Dan Black belt on 20th April 1997 and then promoted to 6th Dan Black belt on 16th May 1999 by then Kancho of Jiu Jitsu Ireland Mr. John Lupton. Ken has represented Ireland in Europe and in the United States. He is a gold medal winner from the United States Karate-Do-Karate and Jiu Jitsu Open Championships help in Peoria, Illinois, USA in July 2000.Ken presently hold a position on the Jiu Jitsu Ireland Executive Council as Commissioner.

Ken has been very active on the international front over the past years assisting in establishing links for Jiu Jitsu Ireland, through international seminars and courses, in the USA, France, Italy, Poland, Germany, Belgium, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. A long time goal of ken's has been to record the required knowledge from beginner to black belt and ensure that the system can be preserved for future generations.

This was achieved when in winter of 2002 Ken published for the JJI a training manual which covers all syllabus from started to black belt including Kata's, history, terminology, and weapon training kata's. This manual is now available to members of Jiu Jitsu Ireland with all proceeds going into the JJI academy towards training and development. This Training Manual is dedicated to Mr. John Lupton 10th Hanshi of JJI.

Ken was involved in the early years of the IMAC and tried to encourage all martial art styles to join together in a common goal to improve the image of the Arts and gain Government recognition, which would have allow greater expansion of the arts across Ireland. Ken complied and edited the first Irish Martial Arts magazine called the 'Irish Warrior'. Petty issues and constant unsatisfied membership of the IMAC soon led to a break away which left alot of fine martial Artist disillusioned with the Irish scene. Ken has since then kept to his own club and enjoys the Art of Jiu Jitsu with like minded people.

In 2005 Ken received a grading from Hanshi Ken Penland 10th Dan in USA. This grading is of huge importance to Ken as it represents acknowledgment of his life's hard training in his chosen martial Art. It recognises him in Japan, home of Jiu Jitsu, and accepts the standard of Jui Jitsu been taught here by Jiu Jitsu Ireland as equal to any in the world.

Ken greatest moment in Martial Arts is achieving the rank of Shihan (Master) of Jiu Jitsu. He is accomplished instructor and enjoys watching student progress through the ranks and loves inquisitive students on the floor. Ken has always encouraged fun during his training sessions and believes that Jiu Jitsu can be enjoyed at any level a student wishes.Ken's other personal achievements include:

  • Diploma in Architecture Technology in 1986 - Now a Director of his own company
  • Played league of Ireland football for Dundalk - '85-'86
  • First Stag shot - 1999
  • First Black slope skied - 2002
  • Married an amazing Woman - 2005

2006 - Ken has now started a new club in Dun Laoire Boylan Centre and hopes that it will encourage young and old to join in the fun, of learning an Art form that is fun, useful and flexible. Ken's other hobies at the moment are Hunting, Squash, Hill walking and Golf (whenever he gets the time).

2008 - The club in Dun-Laoire has moved to Westwood Leisure centre in Leopardstown Race course. This move will expose Jiu Jitsu to more members and restart growth.

17th may 2009 - Shihan Ken Byrne was promoted to 7th Dan. Present at the promotion where Hanshi John Lupton, Shihan Joe Hughes 7th dan, Shihan Justan Geogh 5th dan, Shane breslin 3rd dan from Leopardstown Dojo. A full days training course in prefection of technique and teaching methods was conducted and enjoyed by all.