about us
Our mission and overarching goal is to Strengthen Ireland-China Relations
who we are?
Founded in 2012 by Pat and Chang McCarthy, the Ireland Sino Institute is a non-political organization dedicated to deepening cooperation and mutual understanding between Ireland and China.
With operations in both countries, the Institute follows a dual-office model:
🇨🇳 The China office, based in rural Northeast China, is a registered non-profit focused on education, cultural exchange, and philanthropy.
Funded initially through the McCarthys’ life savings, it delivers free or affordable English education to students in underserved areas, creating life-changing opportunities where they are needed most.🇮🇪 The Ireland office serves as a hub for tourism promotion, international cooperation, and bilateral business engagement between Ireland, Europe and China.
In this photo, from left to right, we see Pat McCarthy from the Ireland Sino Institute , Minister Eamonn Ryan, and Ambassador for Ireland to China Ann Derwin at a St. Patrick’s Day Event held at the Irish embassy in Beijing in 2023.
our values
Collaboration
At the Ireland Sino Institute, we champion collaboration to boost tourism, trade, education, cultural exchange, and investment, fortifying ties between Ireland and China.
Supporting the disadvantaged
Since its inception in 2012, the Ireland Sino Institute has been dedicated to enhancing education for disadvantaged children in rural China. The owners have invested their life savings and provided scholarships to ensure that all those who cannot afford an education can benefit from this mission.
equal development
The Ireland Sino Institute champions equal development, bridging rural-urban disparities in China through the promotion of various initiatives encompassing education, trade, tourism, exchanges and foreign investment.
Diaspora Compassion
Understanding the challenges and hurdles faced by diaspora communities, the Ireland Sino Institute supports the Irish community in China and the Chinese community in Ireland. We offer initiatives such as advocacy, educational programs, and essential guidance on navigating local infrastructure and services, all tailored to their unique needs.
meet our team
Chang Mccarthy
Chang McCarthy has significantly strengthened Sino-Irish relations through her dedication to rural education in Northeast China, particularly by enhancing educational opportunities for young girls. Leading the Changtu Women’s Federation, she champions gender equality and empowers girls, aligning with shared Irish and Chinese values of inclusivity and social betterment.
Her efforts, especially in involving Irish educators in rural China charity projects, help address social inequalities in under-resourced communities. At the same time, they bridge cultural divides and strengthen the Ireland–China relationship through a shared commitment to education and equality.
Pat mcCarthy
Pat McCarthy, hailing from Ireland, underwent a significant career transition from South Korea to rural Northeast China, motivated by his dedication to bridging the urban-rural divide and advancing gender equality.Â
A key focus of his educational initiatives is maintaining an equal ratio of male to female scholarship recipients. Together with his wife, he invested their life savings into a non-profit venture aimed at enhancing English education in the region.Â
His efforts have notably improved the educational landscape by recruiting Irish teachers, thereby making a substantial impact on the community.
At the Ireland Sino Institute, Pat has been a beacon of hope for the underprivileged, having provided thousands of free and subsidized scholarships to children from disadvantaged backgrounds over the years.Â
More recently, he has shifted his focus to strengthening Ireland-China relations by promoting mutual development through international initiatives in education, culture, tourism, and business.
