Become The Best You
RILION GRACIE
BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU
In January 2010 now head coach Brian Coyle was in miami and was asked by master Rilion Gracie to open a academy in Letterkenny along Steven Coll. It was opened late March of that year and was the first of its kind in the north west of ireland. No other full time facility was doing jiu jitsu, bjj or mma at that time with a full time schedule. Now we pride oursevles in being a world-class jiu jistu academy, offering martial arts classes for a wide range of ages and level abilities. We pride outselves in our lineage and representing master Rilion's style of jiu jitsu, along with his philosophy, staying true to its roots with a focus on the core principles of leverage and techinque over pure strength. Brian has been running Rilion Gracie Ireland since and it would not be possible without the help of the other staff and team members. Whether you’re interested in improving grappling techniques, progressing through the BJJ belts, learning self defense or preparing for a grappling championship, our classes provide a supportive environment for all levels. Martial arts training helps develop discipline, mental focus, and physical strength while teaching effective self defense that can be used in real-world situations..
Begin your path in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our white belt program introduces the core of grappling and self defense, and is your first step through the BJJ belts system. There will be no other coloured belts in your class apart from the teachers. Perfect if you’re looking for martial arts classes, you’ll build strength with grappling exercises, gain confidence through grappling self defense, and take your first steps toward future grappling championships.
Designed for students with two or more stripes on their white belt, our intermediate program at Rilion Gracie Ireland takes your Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to the next level. Build sharper grappling technique and push your fitness with dynamic grappling exercises. Whether you’re aiming for higher BJJ belts, improving your self defense, or preparing for a championship, this class bridges the gap between beginner and advanced BJJ.
Open to students with four stripes on their white belt or any coloured belt, our advanced program at Rilion Gracie Ireland focuses on high-level Brazilian Jiu Jitsu strategy and competition preparation. Refine your grappling skills, master advanced grappling self defense, and train with intensity through performance driven strength and conditioning. Perfect for bjj fanatics aiming for higher BJJ belts, elite martial arts classes near me, or success in competitions
Our all levels program at Rilion Gracie Ireland welcomes any student who has completed the beginners course, from fresh white belts to experienced practitioners. These sessions blend fundamental Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with advanced grappling drills, making them ideal for steady progress at any stage. If you’re searching for versatile martial arts classes near you or aiming for the next step in your BJJ belts journey, this class is designed for you.
Train traditional Gi Jiu Jitsu at Rilion Gracie Ireland and experience the full art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with the gi. These classes teach grips, control, and technique while improving grappling skills, and overall self defense. Perfect for anyone looking for authentic martial arts classes and steady progress through the BJJ belts.
Step into no gi Jiu Jitsu at Rilion Gracie Ireland for a faster, more dynamic alternative to traditional gi training. Without the grips of a gi, you’ll focus on movement, speed, and fluid grappling techniques, making it perfect for students who want a different challenge. Learn practical grappling self defense while experiencing BJJ in a fresh, high-energy way
Course is 6 weeks long and must be completed before advancing onto our regular classes. Lessons are start 15th of september every monday and wednesday and friday at 5pm
Must be completed before advancing to our regular classes. This runs continuously through the year in 6 week blocks. Classes run on Mondays and Fridays at 6.15pm and Wednesdays 7.30pm
Courses are limited numbers and must be booked in advance. If you're interested in growing your BJJ skills please get in touch
Started training martial arts in 2004. He joined a new club which was opened in Milford by Gabriel and John McAteer. He started with traditional and brazilian jiu Jjtsu. He met master Rilion Gracie through his instructor at the time in 2006, in Rio de Janeiro. He continued to train under Rilion, making multiple trips back and forth to him. Ibjjf 2016 gold Madrid open no gi master 1 feather weight, 2018 gold London open gi master 1 light feather weight, 2022 gold dublin open nogi master 2 feather weight, 2022 gold miami open gi master 2 light feather weight, 2023 gold dublin open gi master 2 feather weight, 2023 silver houston open gi master 2 light feather weight, 2024 bronze masters International open master 2 light feather weight, 2025 gold dublin open master 3 feather, 2025 bronze masters International open feather weight, 2017 silver nationals masters championship-Hereford, 2018 gold irish open (5th time winning the irish open). Brian still travels regularly nationally and internationally for competitions and his own training. He makes a couple of trips every year to master Rilion Gracie in Miami and professor Romulo Houston both of which have shaped Brian's jiujitsu style. In his earlier days Brian competed in mma having winning the mma league in 2006 and 2007. He has had professional mma matches on chaos fighting championships 3 and 4 in 2008 and 2009 he has had 9 amateur boxing matches received his black belt in Traditional jiujitsu in 2009 under wjjf. His biggest achievements to date, however, have been his students and academy, and watching them grow and develop.
Started jiujitsu at Rilion Gracie Ireland HQ in 2010 when the academy was first founded. He has been a big part of the academy since Mark - aka "Buzz" - teaches our 7am classes for the early birds on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. He is a very likeable instructor with a humorous personality that goes down well with our students. He was promoted to black belt in December 2022 under Brian Coyle. "Buzz" likes to put him self into the competition side of the sport, and has achieved some of the following medals: Double gold irish nationals purple belt 2017, Double gold irish open 2019, Double gold ibjjf london open 2020, In the early days he also had mma experience winning the mma league in 2011. He also took a semi-pro match in early 2013 which he won by RNC.
Steven started his jiujitsu journey with professor Brian Coyle in November 2012 and has been under his guidance since he received his black belt in August 2024. Steven is an active competitor he has won the Irish open 2 years in a row, once at brown belt in 2024 and again in 2025 at black belt master 1. He likes to compete at the ibjjf tournaments and has won some invitational matches. He teaches the adult, Teens and kids programmes, students enjoy Steven's slick and very technical jiu-jitsu style, he also had the pleasure of making the trip to train with master Rilion Gracie at HQ in Miami.
Started with us February 2016 he received his brown belt in November 2024 from professor Brian Coyle. Ethan is heavily involved with our beginners, white belt, kids and teens programmes. Ethan's warm personality makes students find him very approachable. He has worked very closely with head coach Brian since 2021, learning the ropes around the academy since he joined the staffing panel. Ethan has had the pleasure of visiting master Rilion Gracie several times at HQ in Miami .
Started training Jiu-jitsu in 2017 with the academy. She started competing in 2018, winning various small competitions. In 2019 she won her first ever Irish Open. Since then she has competed in the IBJJF tournaments at various locations. In 2024 she competed at the IBJJF master Europeans and took silver in her division. She received her Purple Belt in December 2024. Bernie now helps run Rilion Gracie Ireland working as the front desk receptionist, she'll be the friendly face saying hi to you every lesson! She takes care of the administrative work and looks after every member of the gym, which wouldn't be able to run without her.