Since 1800, no country in Europe has lost as many of its citizens to emigration as Ireland. For Mark O’Neill, his journey began with the discovery of his father’s hidden Irish accent as a teenager, and since then he’s travelled the world in search of what it really means to be Irish. He first moved to Scotland and then Belfast, Northern Ireland, to cover The Troubles in the 1970s. He finally made his way to Asia in 1978 and has lived here ever since — along with a surprising variety of fellow Irish nationals who have made their mark in Hong Kong, mainland China, Taiwan, and many other places.

O’Neill chronicles his life journey in in his latest book Out of Ireland (2023), a personal account of the Irish diaspora he’s encountered throughout his travels, complete with his sense of humour, anecdotes, and insights. Moderated by FCC President Lee Williamson.