Cork Educator Bridges Irish-Chinese Cultures at Beijing International Heritage Festival

BEIJING/CORK, October 24, 2025 -

Mr. Patrick McCarthy (Pat), Director of the Ireland-Sino Institute and founder of a pioneering Irish-Chinese school, represented Ireland at the Second Beijing International Week of Intangible Cultural Heritage, a major cultural festival organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and the Beijing Municipal Government.

The five-day event, held from October 17 to 21, attracted over 100,000 visitors, garnered coverage from more than 500 media outlets, and achieved over 100 million in total media exposure.

Pat, originally from Cork and living in China since 2011, was invited as part of an Irish delegation organized by the Ireland China Culture and Tourism Association (ICCTA) to showcase Ireland's unique educational model and cultural heritage to China's most influential culture, business leaders and policymakers.

Cork Roots, Global Impact: Bridging Two Educational Traditions
Since establishing his school in China in 2012, Pat has been on a mission to introduce the Irish education system-recognized as world-leading-to Chinese students. Ireland has been ranked the most educated country in the world according to a 2025 CBRE report, and Irish students rank number one for reading literacy among EU and OECD countries. Among Ireland's world-renowned universities are Trinity College Dublin, Queen's University Belfast, and University College Cork-Pat's alma mater.

"I set up a school in China because I wanted to introduce the Irish education system to Chinese students," Pat explained. "I saw our school as a bridge of synergy between Ireland and China-combining the strengths of both education systems and promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding."

Pat's approach blends the rigorous academic foundation of the Chinese system with the creative, student-centered philosophy of Irish education, particularly Ireland's unique Transition Year program. This distinctive fourth-year curriculum focuses on maturity, independence, and real-world skills-from first aid and cooking to work placements and community projects-rather than exam preparation.

A Moving Cultural Exchange: East Meets West Through Music
A highlight of Pat's participation came during an exclusive cultural event hosted at Beijing's prestigious Chang'an Club on October 20. In front of nearly 80 distinguished guests-including diplomats, business leaders, and cultural figures-his 13-year-old son Setanta McCarthy performed an unforgettable rendition of the Irish classic "Danny Boy" on the Chinese erhu, accompanied by Evelyn and Phil McCaul on Irish harp and Uilleann pipes.

"I was proud and honored to see my son play an Irish song on the Chinese erhu-a beautifully intercultural and deeply intangible experience," Pat said. "Our mission has always been to connect Ireland and China through meaningful initiatives, and I was deeply moved to see that mission come to life through this performance."

The performance captivated the audience, demonstrating how cultural heritage can transcend borders and create genuine understanding between nations.
Showcasing Ireland's Educational Excellence to China's Elite
The Chang'an Club, one of China's most exclusive business clubs, provided Pat with an unparalleled platform to present Ireland's educational advantages to an audience of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, many of whom have children studying or planning to study abroad.

Pat's presentation highlighted:
• Ireland's status as the third safest country in the world
• Full employment and the second-highest GDP per capita globally
• Dublin as the "Silicon Valley of Europe," hosting global tech headquarters
• The unique Transition Year model, which develops independence, confidence, and real-world skills

"What makes Irish education special is the balance-academic rigor combined with personal development, creativity, and social awareness," Pat explained. "My own Transition Year experience transformed me from a struggling Junior Certificate student to a confident Leaving Certificate graduate. It gave me the maturity, responsibility, and self-knowledge that shaped my entire career."

Raising Global Citizens: An Irish-Chinese Family Story

Pat's cross-cultural experience extends to his own family. His son, raised in China and attending a Chinese school, benefits from what Pat calls "the best of both worlds"-the structured mastery approach of Chinese mathematics education combined with the creative, exploratory spirit of Irish learning.
"I haven't adopted the 'tiger parenting' mindset," Pat said. "My wife and I prefer to be 'guides on the side'-monitoring when necessary, but allowing variation and balance between study and play. I believe that's how you create well-rounded development."

His son will complete his Leaving Certificate in Ireland, embodying the bicultural educational philosophy Pat champions.

Irish Delegation Celebrates Heritage and Opportunity
The Irish delegation also featured performances by traditional musicians Evelyn McCaul (Irish harp, UNESCO-listed 2019) and Phil McCaul (Uilleann pipes, UNESCO-listed 2017), as well as demonstrations of Irish whiskey craft, sheepdog herding, Gaelic sports, and oral traditions.

Ms. Jing Farrelly, Chairperson of the Ireland China Culture and Tourism Association, stated: "Patrick's work exemplifies the power of cultural and educational exchange. By combining Irish educational excellence with deep respect for Chinese culture, he has created a model that benefits students, families, and the broader relationship between our two nations."

Pat concluded: "Culture is the foundation of all our relationships. Through education, music, and shared experiences, we're not just teaching students-we're building bridges between Ireland and China that will last for generations."

Sources

Ireland Sino Institute Home Page:

https://irelandchinainstitute.eu

Beijing Intangible Cultural Heritage Week Source:

https://www.beijing.gov.cn/ywdt/gzdt/202510/t20251011_4220137.html

Setanta McCarthy's Danny Boy Erhu Rendition at the Beijing Intangible Cultural Festival 2025

https://youtu.be/1U8yB3F5HKA?si=YeWGgRyRYbyawmmJ

Ireland China Culture and Tourism Association Home Page:

https://www.cits.ie/

Ireland Sino Institute
Tieling City
Liaoning ,
China

Media Contact
Mr. Patrick McCarthy
Ireland-Sino Institute
Email: team@irelandchinainstitute.eu
Phone: +86 133 5899 3352

Events Organizer
Ireland China Culture and Tourism Association
Email: info@cits.ie
Website: www.cits.ie

The Ireland Sino Institute strengthens ties between Ireland, Europe, and China through initiatives in education, business, tourism, culture, and philanthropy.

This release was published on openPR.