Ireland’s Ambassador to China, Dr. Nicholas O’Brien, just dropped some wholesome diplomatic tea ☕ during a recent interview! Having explored 16 Chinese cities since 2025—from tropical Haikou to Chengdu’s ancient Dujiangyan irrigation system—he’s become a self-proclaimed fan of China’s economic buzz and cultural depth.
Recalling Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s January 2026 visit, O’Brien revealed a 🥹 ‘The Gadfly’ moment: Both Martin and President Xi Jinping bonded over their love for this revolutionary novel. Who knew literature could be the ultimate diplomatic icebreaker?
And let’s not forget Riverdance! 💃 The iconic Irish performance has tapped its way into Chinese hearts, with O’Brien calling it a ‘bridge of rhythm’ between nations. With Lunar New Year approaching, he also highlighted Ireland’s horse-racing heritage (🐎 perfect for the Year of the Horse!) and sent festive greetings to China.
