The first Irishman, and Irish missionary, to have visited China would seem to be the Friar known as ‘James of Ireland’ who accompanied his fellow Franciscan,  Odoric of Pordenone (1286-1331), on his travels around the world. Odoric set out for China in 1318 and went via Constantinople, Armenia, Persia, Baghdad and India. Whether James was … Continue reading First Irishman in China?