In this talk, journalist and author Mark O’Neill presents insights from his latest book, The Irish in Hong Kong, the first comprehensive account of the island of Ireland’s contribution to the territory. From governance to civil society, the Irish presence has been both influential and enduring. The island of Ireland provided nine Governors, five Chief Justices, two Chiefs of Police and a head of Special Branch, while Irish professionals also made their mark in finance, the military and public administration.
 

Beyond official roles, Irish nuns, priests and ministers were instrumental in establishing schools, hospitals and welfare institutions that have transformed many lives in Hong Kong. Many of these institutions continue to flourish today and remain regarded by local families.
 

The Irish contribution extends to sport as well, from horse racing and the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens to the remarkable achievements of swimmer Siobhan Haughey, Hong Kong’s first athlete to win four Olympic medals.
 

Mark also explores lesser-known aspects of this shared history, including the experiences of the Irish community in Hong Kong during the Second World War, when around 300 Irish residents faced the stark choice between neutrality and imprisonment.

Mark O'Neill is from the United Kingdom and was educated at Marlborough College and New College, Oxford.  He worked in Washington, DC, Manchester and Belfast before coming to Hong Kong in 1978.  He has lived in Asia ever since.  He worked as a journalist for 30 years in Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Mainland China and Japan, for Reuters, SCMP and many other publications.  Since 2006, he has been writing books on Chinese history and society, of which nine have editions in Chinese, simplified and traditional, as well as English.  These include China's Great Liberal of the 20th Century – Hu Shih, Israel and China: from the Tang Dynasty to Silicon Wadi, How the South Asians Helped to Make Hong Kong, China's Russian Princess and his recently published The Island.

The Royal Geographical Society - Hong Kong wishes to express its thanks to
Tanner De Witt as the Venue and Drinks Sponsor of this talk.

The opinions expressed in this talk are those of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect those of the Royal Geographical Society - Hong Kong.