About IMAC

The Irish Martial Arts Commission (IMAC) is a Sport Ireland-recognised National Governing Body for martial arts in Ireland. IMAC is constituted to represent: Aikido, Taekwon-Do, Kickboxing, Karate, Kendo (including Jo-Do & Iaido), Tang Soo Do, Wushu (including Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Lau Gar), Ninjutsu, Sambo and Muay Thai.

The Irish Martial Arts Commission continuously works to improve the standards of martial arts in Ireland, among the functions of IMAC, the commission provides education to members on Safeguarding issues, the IMAC national children’s officer is the contact point for IMAC registered club children’s officers, providing advice and guidance on safeguarding-related issues. IMAC has developed a martial arts specific coach education programme and offers coach education courses to instructors and coaches from our various systems. All IMAC-recognised instructors must complete a certain level of training before commencing coaching, this promotes the high-quality, safe environment that IMAC clubs are known for.

IMAC represents its members to Sport Ireland, this relationship has helped to continuously improve the resources available to martial artists in Ireland and has led to a large increase in participation over recent years across all ages and demographics on top of this Ireland has seen unprecedented success internationally with more-and-more Irish athletes reaching the very top of their sport. 

Within IMAC, each martial art is represented by an Advisory Board (AB) and clubs gain membership of IMAC through these advisory board. Each AB nominates system representatives to represent their art as part of the IMAC executive committee. The IMAC executive meets 6 times per year to discuss strategy, governance issues, safeguarding, coach education and a wide variety of other topics. The IMAC annual general meeting takes place each May and at this meeting the IMAC officials are selected. Below are the IMAC officers selected at the most recent AGM, for contact details for the representatives of a particular martial art, please click here

The various styles of martial arts that make up IMAC lead to a wide range of experience & knowledge being shared between systems. This positive relationship between the different styles of martial arts creates a synergy where all style improve by learning from each other.

Officers

IMAC President: Brendan Dowling
Vice-President: Roy Baker
Chairperson: Kathryn Cassidy
Vice-Chairperson: Brigid Ruane
Secretary: Carl Smullen
Treasurer: Kenneth Wheatley
National Children’s Officer: Brigid Ruane
PR Officers: Carl Smullen & Pierce McGeough
Anti-Doping Officer: Sabina Mason
Coaching Development Officer: Kathryn Cassidy
Coaching Development Officer: Barry O’Regan
IMAC Inclusion Officer: Pat Barry
Governance Officer: Sheila Heffernan