The World Administered by Irishmen

This widely-researched book is published by Special Collections & Archives, Queen’s University Belfast. While the initial focus is on the Chinese Maritime Customs Service, and the Ulsterman Sir Robert Hart who led it for 45 years, it brings together a treasure trove of other Irish people in East Asia - men from Ulster working in the Customs Service; a nurse from Roscommon; a doctor from Cork; a diplomat from Meath; Hong Kong governors from Dublin; and many more. Using first-hand accounts where possible, the book vividly brings to life the special contribution that Irish men and women made to developing relations with China, Japan and Korea in the 19th century.

‘I cannot commend this book highly enough’, from the Foreword by a former British Consul General in Hong Kong. Richly-illustrated with many historic images, the book will appeal widely to academics and all those with an interest in East Asia.

Robin Masefield lived in Hong Kong for three years and has published a number of historical books about Northern Ireland and a guide book to Hong Kong.