Sean Mackey
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Sean Mackey, OBE (1918–1997) was an Irish engineering professor.
Biography
Professor Sean Mackey was born in Dolla, Co Tipperary, Ireland in 1917. Having attended Mount Saint Joseph College in Roscrea, he entered University College Dublin where he obtained a BE Civil Engineering degree and BSc degree. He subsequently went on to get a Master's degree in UCD before marrying Elizabeth Ann (Lilian) Mulleaney and emigrating to England where he secured a job with leading construction steelmaker Dorman Long.
In 1947 he secured a post as Senior Lecturer in Leeds University where he obtained a PhD in 1951. Then in 1953, he was invited to take up the newly created Head of Engineering post at the fledgling Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, Eastern India. His teaching philosophy was always to encourage a 'practical' hands on approach to Engineering and to this end, he encouraged his students to embark on a project to design and build a swimming pool complex on the Institute's campus.
Finally in 1956, he moved to the University of Hong Kong to take up the reins of Dean of the joint faculty of Engineering and Architecture. Within a few years he had expanded the Engineering faculty from one Department to four. Outside of Academia, he was a founding council member of the Hong Kong Management Association in 1960.
During his time in HKU, he initiated an intensive research programme studying the effects of wind on tall buildings, attracting global interest and culminating in an International Seminar in 1961.[www.irishtimes.com/opinion/professor-sean-mackey-1.112027][1][2] 1968 saw him help set up and become the first President of the Hong Kong branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers. In 1962 he was elected President of the Hong Kong St Patrick's Society [3] and was also for many years, a Steward of the prestigious Hong Kong Jockey Club. He also innovated and chaired tha Colony's 'British Engineering Week' in 1966, which was opened by the late Princess Margaret. In recognition of this work, the British Government awarded Professor Mackey an OBE- honorary, because he still travelled on his Irish passport.
Academically, he went on to receive Fellowships of both the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Geological Society. In 1965, Prof Mackey was awarded a Doctor of Science (DSc) degree from his Alma Mater, University College Dublin [National University of Ireland] and in 1972, received a second DSc (Hon) from the University of Hong Kong.[1]
In 1965 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Colony's Legislative Council, and subsequently chaired a number of committees including one specifically set up to investigate corruption within the Hong Kong Police Force. As a result of his untiring voluntary work with the international Caritas foundation, he was honoured by the Vatican with a knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great.
After 19 years, he retired from The University of Hong Kong in 1976, [4] and practised successfully as an independent Consulting Engineer for eight years, working on major projects such as the new Kwai Chung Container Terminal and new airport on Chek Lap Kok Island.
In 1984 Sean Mackey fully retired and returned with his wife Lilian to his beloved Ireland, to be with his three sons and seven grandchildren, and to concentrate on his other great love - fishing. Professor Mackey died aged 79, in June 1997.