Sean Mackey

Sean Mackey, OBE (1918-1997) was an Irish engineering professor.

Biography

Professor Sean Mackey was born in Dolla, Co Tipperary, Ireland in 1918. Having attended Mount Saint Joseph College in Roscrea, he entered University College Dublin where he obtained a BE Civil Engineering degree. He subsequently went on to get a Masters Degree, married Elizabeth Ann (Lilian) Mullaney and moved to Britain where he secured a job with construction steelmaker Dorman Long.

In 1950 he accepted a post as Senior Lecturer in Leeds University where he obtained a PhD in 1951. Then in 1953, he was invited to take the Head of Engineering chair at the fledgling Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in 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 undertake 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. During his time in HKU, he initiated an intensive research programme studying the effects of wind on tall buildings, culminating in an international Seminarin1961. [http://library.hku.hk/search?/Xsean%20mackey&searchscope=6&SORT=D&SUBKEY=sean%20mackey/1%2C8%2CB/browse] 1968 saw him help set up and become the first President of the Hong Kong branch of the Institution of Structural Engineers. He also chaired an innovative 'British Engineering Week' in the Colony in 1966 which was opened by the late Princess Margaret.

He was awarded Fellowships of each of the three Institutes of Structural, Civil and Mechanical Engineers and also the Geological Society. In 1965, Prof Mackey received a DSc degree from HKU and a second honorary DSc in 1972 from his alma mater, the National University of Ireland.

He was appointed a Justice of the Peace by the Colony's Legislative Council in 1965 and chaired a number of committees including one set up to investigate corruption in the Hong Kong Police Force. To recognise this civic work, the British Govt awarded Prof Mackey an OBE. In addition, as a result of his untiring work with the international Caritas foundation, he was honoured by the Vatican with a knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory the Great. In 1962 he was elected President of the Hong Kong St Patrick's Society and was also for many years, a Steward of the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

After retiring from The University of Hong Kong, he practised successfully as a Consulting Engineer for a number of years working on major projects such as the Colony's new RoRo Terminal and a new airport on Chek Lap Kok Island.

In 1980 Sean Mackey 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 April 1997.

References