Remembering Fr Kevin O'Rourke

It was a privilege to direct and produce this short film to mark a special occasion for the Embassy of Ireland and the Irish Association of Korea.

On 17th October, the Embassy celebrated the life and achievements of a very special Irishman, Fr. Kevin O'Rourke, a priest of the Missionary Society of St. Columban, who passed away in 2020.

Having first arrived in Korea in 1964, Fr. Kevin became the first foreign national to achieve a PhD in Korean literature, and he worked as Professor of Literature at Kyung Hee University until 2005.

During his life, Fr. Kevin was regarded as one of the world’s foremost translators of Korean poetry, translating over 2,000 Korean poems, from the 12th century to contemporary times.

Fr. Kevin was the recipient of numerous literary awards in Korea, together with a Korean presidential citation and honorary citizenship.

Fr. Kevin will be remembered as a Priest, philosopher, linguist, translator, poet, and a dear friend to many, including the Embassy of Ireland in Seoul.