About
David Costello will join us within EPIC to discuss Mark O’Neill’s book The Irish in Hong Kong, a book that delves into the connection between Ireland and China, and how our diaspora has had an influence on the development of Hong Kong. Copies of The Irish in Hong Kong by…
David Costello will join us within EPIC to discuss Mark O’Neill’s book The Irish in Hong Kong, a book that delves into the connection between Ireland and China, and how our diaspora has had an influence on the development of Hong Kong.
Copies of The Irish in Hong Kong by Mark O’Neill will be available to purchase on the night, with a book signing following the event.
Ticket holders should arrive about 10 minutes before 5:30pm at the Visitor Information desk within chq. There they will be escorted to the event’s location.
About the Book
The Irish have played an extraordinary – if little known – role in the construction and development of Hong Kong, in government, the army, police, judiciary, finance and in civil society – schools, hospitals, churches and welfare institutions. Ireland provided nine Governors, five Chief Justices, two Chiefs of Police and one head of Special Branch. Also nuns who cured the city of tuberculosis and priests and ministers who founded high-quality schools that have transformed the lives of thousands of Hong Kong people. They are flourishing today and are the choice of many parents. In sport, also, the Irish have made a great contribution – racing, the Rugby Sevens and, most famously, Siobhan Haughey, the first Hong Kong athlete to win four Olympic medals. This is the first book to give a comprehensive and detailed account of this Irish history.
About the Author
Mark O’Neill was born in London, England, the son of an Irish father and Scottish mother. He was educated at Marlborough College and New College, Oxford. He worked in Washington, DC, Manchester and Belfast before coming to Hong Kong in 1978. In Belfast, he covered the Troubles and learnt about his family and their history. He has lived in Asia ever since. He worked as a journalist for 30 years here, in Taiwan, India, the PRC and Japan, for Reuters, SCMP and many other publications. Since 2006, he has been writing books on Chinese, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau history and society. He has completed 21 in English, four of them on Irish topics. Eight have been translated into traditional Chinese and three into simplified Chinese. He speaks French, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Endorsements of The Irish in Hong Kong
“An excellent and informative work on the contribution of so many Irish people to the development of Hong Kong.” – Ian Candy, former Principal Magistrate, Hong Kong Judiciary.