Braving the Far East: Irish Pioneers in British Hong Kong
Irish people have long travelled to the other side of the world in search of opportunity.
For a few hundred that meant a six-week sea journey to Hong Kong, there to take up a post as a policeman. Author Patricia O’Sullivan’s grandfather and two great-uncles were amongst those, along with seven of their relatives and ten of their townsfolk from Newmarket, Co. Cork. Writing about these score of men has brought her into contact with families of many other Irish who made that same journey.
This talk will explore the lives of Irishmen – and women – in British Hong Kong from the middle of the nineteenth century onwards, the challenges and dangers they faced, the adventures they encountered, the heroism of many and the rewards that were there for those who could withstand the climate and disease of Hong Kong before the Second World War.
About Our Speaker
Patricia O’Sullivan is an author, historian, and former recorder teacher. With a knack for uncovering hidden stories, she’s become a leading voice in Hong Kong’s pre-1941 history. After decades of shaping musical talents, she now delves into the lives of working-class Irish immigrants and early 20th-century female criminals. Through her writing, she invites readers to explore the forgotten corners of the past.