Having taught Karate in Drogheda for over half a century, the name Philip Nulty is synonymous with Karate in the town but now, after a very successful career and due to medical advice, Philip has had to call a halt to his Karate career.
This has been an exceptionally difficult decision for Philp to make but at 75 years of age and having been a member of the school for 50 years, he has done more than his fare share for the sport.
The Drogheda School of Karate was established on February 28th 1969 by Joe Dunne & others. At the time it was the first Karate Club outside of Dublin.
The first training venue was the Drogheda Amateur Boxing Club, despite objections from several members of the club including Philip Nulty who was a boxer at the time.
Mr Suzuki Shizuo Sensei, a 4th Dan Japanese Instructor gave a demonstration to members of the public as a taster of what to expect if they chose to take up Karate.
Despite the school moving venue several times, Mr Suzuki continued his instructions in the town until he handed over control of the School to Mr. Yoshiko Iwasaki in 1971.
Philip Nulty had begun his Karate career and found himself and Barry Healy taking over the Drogheda School of Karate in 1977. Philip has been a member of the School since 1974.
Philip was born on July 15th 1948, his parents, Clare & Patrick Nulty of Crushrod Avenue, had seven other children. Philip was always active and was a member of the Scouts, he was a boxer and also trained in Judo before his love of Karate developed.
Philip married Rosemary O’Brien of Ascal Brugha on August 1st 1970 and went on to have five children. One of which, Andrew remains an active member of the Management Committee of the School.
Philip and Rosemary have 11 Grandchildren and two Great Grandchildren. All of their Grandchildren have trained with the school and currently Dearbhaile, daughter of Denise Nulty who is on the Management Committee and Kaiya, Mya and Emily Nulty, daughters of Andrew and Aileen Nulty who are also on the Management Committee all train twice a week with the School.
Philip’s wife Rosemary has also been an ever-present member of the School having spent all of her married life being involved with Karate. She has been the Child Protection Officer and receptionist for many years and deserves great praise and thanks for the care and dedication she has shown members. Despite suffering strokes in 2019 and 2023, Rosemary continued her role with the school.
Most Clubs and Instructors operate for profit or financial gain but, since day one Philip has passed on his expertise on a voluntary basis. For five decades, Drogheda School of Karate has had Drogheda’s Wado-Ryu Karate-Do Expert at its helm, passing on his experience to thousands of children and adults.
Philip has travelled the World representing both Drogheda and AIKW Ireland including four trips to Japan for World Championships. He has been a Judge at many competitions around the World. He was also a Judge at the World Police and Fire Games in Belfast in 2013.
Philip has made many friends in the Karate World over his 5 decades but his friendship with Oliver Brunton, 7th Dan JKF has helped the School have a very close bond with Northern Ireland Karate-Do Wado-Kai (NIKW) and through this connection, both Drogheda School of Karate and NIKW have held a Cross-Border-Cross-Community Project each year for 15 years to help promote peace and understanding from all sides.
Philip also started in the 1990s providing classes to transition year in local secondary schools and he also provided several free ladies self-defence courses over the years.
Philip was National ONAKAI Secretary & AIKW Ireland Team Manager at one point. He was also on the Irish Karate Advisory Board and AIKW Licence Officer. Outside of Karate he served on the Board of the LCR Centre which oversaw its reopening and rebranding from the “boys club”. He was awarded title of “Karate Man of the Year” in 2000 by AIKW and was entered into the Drogheda Independent Hall of Fame in 2013.
Over the years the school has trained in the Drogheda Amateur Boxing Club, Drogheda Rugby Club, The Order of Malta Rooms, Parochial Centre, Peter Street, St. Mary’s CBS, The Scholes Club, O’ Raghallaigh Sports Centre and The Workspace Centre, the LCR Centre, Greenhills Community Sports Complex, the Barbican Centre, and, for the past number of years, the Special Olympics Club at Cross Lanes, Drogheda.
The Drogheda School of Karate would like to thank Philip for all his hard work and dedication. A volunteer is one of the best people you could have in an organisation. They don’t look for money, they don’t look for praise. However, they are always there giving their all for the benefit of others.
Philip certainly has done this and without pushing himself in front of others, without self-praise and not for financial gain. Even writing up this report is something he did not want. Unlike some other Instructors, he does not want attention. He has simply done it for a love of his sport.
On behalf of all our members both past and present, I would like to thank Philip for all he has done for Drogheda School of Karate and for the people of Drogheda.
