Ireland in China

What Ireland in China does

The Ireland Sino Institute (also trading as Europe Sino Institute, ISI, and ESI) is a non-profit, non-political organization founded in 2012 to strengthen ties between Ireland, Europe, and China across education, culture, tourism, philanthropy, and business. It is headquartered in Tieling, Liaoning Province (approximately 30 minutes from Shenyang), with a European headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and is led by Chairman Pat McCarthy (Chinese name Zhang Xiaoai 张小爱), an Irish citizen and Linköping University graduate supported by a dual-origin team of native Chinese and European professionals. The organization is officially registered with China's Ministry of Education, Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Ministry of Science and Technology, and is affiliated with the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, the Irish Chamber, and the EU SME Center.

The institute's product portfolio is centered on a three-tier China Internship Program (Explorer €7,000 / 3 months, Voyager €14,000 / 6 months, Ambassador €28,000 / 12 months) combining Mandarin instruction, cultural immersion, accommodation, monthly stipends, Z-visa sponsorship, and rural teaching placements. Supporting services include Visa-Free China Tours (six-day Northeast China cultural itineraries), Delegation Hosting, Global Trade Bridge (sourcing/import/export), Invest in China and Invest in Ireland advisory, student exchange programs, and metaverse-based language courses. The philanthropic arm, the I Love Learning Education Centre, has provided English education to over 100,000 rural Chinese children since 2012 and is supported via GlobalGiving.

Commercial activity is complemented by media partnerships (a formal news-service agreement with CCTV+ in April 2026, plus prior CGTN and China Daily collaborations), distribution partnerships with Viator (Tripadvisor) for tourism and Zatino Group for CICEE exhibition services, and conference activity including the Shenyang Robotics Conference 2026 and the Global Sourcing & Investment Summit. Revenue derives from internship package fees, professional services fees for delegations and trade facilitation, exhibition and summit coordination, and philanthropic donations — no consolidated revenue figure is disclosed given the non-profit structure.

Name

Ireland in China

Legal name

Ireland Sino Institute

Website

https://irelandchinainstitute.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Ireland Sino Institute is a 2012-founded non-profit that bridges Ireland, Europe, and China through education, tourism, trade, and cultural exchange. It serves international students, EU/China investors, trade professionals, and educational institutions via Mandarin internships, delegation hosting, tours, and investment advisory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural and Educational Exchange Services

NAICS

National Security and International Affairs (928)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Multilateral Diplomacy & International Representation (UN, Regional Bodies) (BPAIAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Bilateral Exchange Agreements (Reciprocal Student Mobility) (EDAIABAA), Trade, Export Controls & Customs Compliance (BPAHAFAN), International/Transnational Education Authorities (e.g., cross-border recognition) (EDADAAAJ), Visa, Immigration Liaison & Travel Document Policy (Foreign Affairs) (BPAIAIAL)

Keywords

• Cross-cultural exchange
• International education programs
• Trade facilitation services
• Cultural tourism services
• Investment advisory services

Headquarters

HQ city

Shenyang

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Internship Program Fees: Three-tiered internship packages (Explorer €7,000, Voyager €14,000, Ambassador €28,000) providing Mandarin lessons, cultural immersion, accommodation, stipends, and professional placements in Liaoning Province
2. Delegation Hosting Services: Specialized services for delegation visits between Ireland, Europe, and China including interpretation, hotel arrangements, transportation, itinerary planning, and visa assistance
3. Tourism Services: Visa-free China tours, cultural tourism experiences, and curated Ireland/China travel packages through partnerships with Viator
4. Investment Advisory Services: Expert guidance for businesses investing in China and Ireland, including assistance with business entity setup and market entry
5. Trade Bridge Services: Global Trade Bridge services for sourcing, importing and exporting between China and Europe
6. Exhibition and Event Services: Co-organizing CICEE exhibition participation with fully hosted booth packages including booth space, accommodation, airfare, interpretation and business concierge support
7. Summit and Conference Services: Global Sourcing & Investment Summit coordination with matchmaking services, government meetings, industrial zone tours, and VIP gala dinners

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Ireland Sino Institute (trading as Europe Sino Institute) is a non-profit organization that delivers cross-border services between Ireland/Europe and China. Core offerings include paid international internship programs (Explorer/Voyager/Ambassador tiers) combining Mandarin lessons, cultural immersion, accommodation, stipends, and Z-visa sponsorship in Liaoning Province; visa-free cultural tours of Northeast China; delegation hosting (interpretation, transport, itinerary, visa assistance); global trade bridge services for sourcing, import and export; investment advisory for businesses entering China or Ireland; and student exchange placement between Chinese and European institutions.

Product overview

The Ireland Sino Institute (ISI) operates as a non-profit cultural and educational organization offering a portfolio of services centered on Ireland-China relations. The core offerings include the China International Leadership Programme and internship packages (Explorer, Voyager, Ambassador tiers), which combine Mandarin language learning, cultural immersion, and teaching placements in rural China. Supporting services include Visa Free China Tours, Delegation Hosting, Global Trade Bridge import/export solutions, and Invest in China/Ireland services. The organization also operates the I Love Learning Education Centre as its philanthropic arm for rural education, and recently partnered with Viator to offer curated China and Ireland experience packages. The portfolio spans education, tourism, trade facilitation, and cultural exchange, with the Ambassador Package representing the most comprehensive 12-month offering and the Explorer Package serving as the entry-level 3-month option.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• I Love Learning Education Centre: Non-profit school of philanthropy and education providing English education to rural Chinese children
• China International Leadership Programme
• Europe Sino Institute

Products and services

• China Internship Program Paid, end-to-end international internship program offered in three durations (3, 6, and 12 months) that combines Mandarin lessons, cultural immersion, accommodation, stipend, Z-visa sponsorship, and professional or rural-teaching placements in Liaoning Province. Targeted at international students, graduates, and young professionals seeking immersive China experience.
• Visa-Free China Tours Six-day visa-free tour of Northeast China featuring visits to the Great Wall and UNESCO Imperial Palace in Shenyang, combined with Chinese language learning and cultural immersion. Targeted at European tourists and cultural visitors.
• China International Leadership Programme Blended programme combining Mandarin immersion, cultural engagement, site visits, and teaching placements for international participants seeking professional development and rural education contribution in China.
• Delegation Hosting Services End-to-end hosting for delegation visits between Ireland, Europe, and China, including interpretation, hotel and transportation arrangements, itinerary planning, and visa assistance. Targeted at governments, trade delegations, and corporate groups.
• Global Trade Bridge Sourcing, import, and export solutions for businesses trading between Europe/Ireland and China, providing market entry support and trade facilitation through established Chinese and European networks.
• Invest in China Services Expert guidance and market entry support for European/Irish businesses looking to invest in China, including assistance with setting up business entities (representative offices, WFOEs, joint ventures).
• Invest in Ireland Services Bridge service for Chinese investors seeking to enter or expand in Ireland, leveraging Ireland's economy and the institute's EU/Ireland government relationships.
• China-to-Europe Student Exchange Service Bridge service connecting Chinese students with European tertiary, secondary, and language educational institutions, facilitating international academic exchanges.
• Metaverse Language Courses Future-oriented language courses delivered in metaverse environments for immersive English and Chinese language learning experiences.
• I Love Learning Education Centre Philanthropic non-profit school providing English language education to disadvantaged children in rural Northeast China (Changtu County, Liaoning). Funded via donations through the GlobalGiving platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100,000 rural Chinese children educated since 2012
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered key, core and secondary.

• Viator (Tripadvisor Company)keyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2026Partnership to present curated Top 30 Ireland and Top 30 China tours and travel experiences through Viator's global platform for tours and activities.
• CCTV+ (China Central Television)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 April 2026News service partnership agreement with CCTV+, the Beijing-headquartered international video news agency affiliated with state-owned broadcaster China Central Television. Creates opportunities for correspondents to expand work and improve quality and reach of reporting through co-produced content across digital platforms.
• Zatino GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Co-organizer of CICEE (China International Consumer Electronics Exposition) with offices at 15 Harcourt Street, Dublin. Manages exhibitor registration, provides business concierge support, and facilitates China Business Connection Programme.
• China National Tourist Office (CNTO) LondonkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025Sponsored Guizhou-Guangxi familiarization tour for 33 European tourism experts including Pat McCarthy. Overseas office of Ministry of Culture and Tourism of PRC.
• Guizhou Province Tourism AuthoritykeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025MOU signed to strengthen tourism cooperation between Ireland, Europe, and Guizhou Province following successful FAM tour.
• China Queen's College (CQC)keyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Joint college between Queen's University Belfast and China Medical University in Shenyang. ISI supports the 10th anniversary celebration and sister-city relationship between Belfast and Shenyang.
• China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Shenyang Sub-CouncilkeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2024Facilitated cooperation between Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork City Council's International Relations Office, and CCPIT Shenyang Sub-Council to advance Cork-Shenyang sister city relationship.
• EU Chamber of Commerce in ChinasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation with EU Chamber providing access to European business network and advocacy support.
• Irish Chamber of Commerce in ChinasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation supporting Irish businesses in China and promoting Ireland-China commercial relations.
• EU SME CentersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliation providing support services for European SMEs engaging with Chinese markets.
• Enterprise IrelandsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment organization supporting Irish companies doing business internationally, shown as affiliation on website.
• GlobalGivingkeyGTM or Marketing PartnerNonprofit fundraising platform hosting I Love Learning Education Centre campaigns for rural China education, providing vetted charity status and donation infrastructure.
• Confucius Institute at University of GalwaykeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique Confucius Institute combining language, culture, Chinese medicine, and regenerative medicine collaboration. Only one of 500+ worldwide with this combination.
• Northern Ireland Bureau in ChinasecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment office represented by Kerry Curran, Director, collaborating to advance and sustain Belfast-Shenyang sister-city relationship.
• CGTNsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPrevious media collaboration providing platform for presenting China from honest, first-hand perspective to international audiences.
• China DailysecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerPrevious media collaboration for content distribution and China perspective coverage.
• Ireland China Culture and Tourism AssociationkeyChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPat McCarthy represents the association, which signed MOU to boost tourism ties between Ireland and Guizhou Province.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/irelandinchina
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@europechinalink
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/pat-mccarthy-europechinainstitute
• Instagraminstagram.com/europesinoinstitute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ireland in China