Our Mission

The Irish Network China (INC) is an Not-For-Profit organization whose aim is to promote and encourage exchange and understanding of business,cultural and sporting ties between the Irish and Chinese communities in Beijing. The INC is driven by our shared passion...Ireland...and to help people of all nationalities feel at home in China.

Who We Are

Fiona Mc Cormack is currently the Co-Chairperson of the Irish Network China and has been a committee member for seven years. She has lead the Irish Ball Committee for two years and is happy to be doing so again this year.

She moved to Beijing in 2002 from her hometown of Dublin and is an active member of Beijing GAA and supports the boys of Beijing Celtic.

Fiona is glad to help anyone with any queries about living, working or looking for schools in Beijing.

From Ireland's western county of Mayo, Mark Godfrey looks after the Irish Network China's administrative and media affairs, and is currently the Co-Chairperson.

He has been in China for five years, working as a business journalist and researching a PhD on China's presence in Central Asia.

See: www.markgodfrey.eu

Niamh Downey has worked in the Irish Embassy, as Consul and Irish Community Officer, since August 2010.

Niamh is a graduate of Queen’s University, Belfast and the College of Europe, Bruges.

She is an active member of the Beijing GAA team and can also be found, most Wednesdays, trying her hand at the Paddy O’Shea’s pub quiz.

Ronan Gould moved to China in June 2007 on an initial 2 year placement with his company from Ireland and has held a number of senior sales positions in the China automotive industry.

Ronan is a native of Templeogue, South Dublin and now lives in Dongzhimen area of Beijing with his wife, Yolanda.


Shane O'Neill has worked in design and project management for 10 years. Born in Dublin, he moved to Beijing in 2006. He is the co-founder of Enter the Panda Ltd, a design, sourcing & export company.

Shane is recently in charge of the website and media for the INC and is also on the committee for the Irish Ball 2012.


Since 2007 when her five children had flown to nest and gone abroad, Sheena McMahon has been doing overseas assignments and working in the Visa Office in Dublin.

Sheena is currently on a 2-year deployment to the Irish Visa Office in Beijing until her retirement in January 2013.


Aine Breen is Treasurer of the INC. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and holds a Masters of Accounting and Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin.

Having trained as an accountant with KPMG Dublin, she spent a further three years with A wear Group. She moved to Beijing with her husband in October 2011.

Aine is a member of the Irish Ball committee 2012. She is a member of Beijing GAA and head of the accounts committee for the All China Games 2012.


FURTHER COMMITTEE BIOS COMING SOON