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Documentary revives legacy of ‘Pig Father’ who helped lift Jeju from poverty
Catholic missionary Patrick James McGlinchey in a scene from the documentary "Do You Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?" / Courtesy of Kwag Tae-gwan
By Kim Se-jeong
The selfless and dedicated life of Irish Catholic missionary Patrick James McGlinchey (1928-2018), who devoted himself to helping Jeju residents, is well remembered on the island — but little known in the rest of Korea.
That may soon change with the release of a new documentary highlighting the priest and his legacy.
The 30-minute film "Do You Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?" was among 22 winners of a video content award organized by Arts Council Korea (ARKO). ARKO funded the project and screened it Thursday at the Korean Film Archive, along with other award-winning works.
“When I visited Jeju for work last year, I learned about him for the first time. I was shocked that I had never heard of him and wanted to tell his story,” said Kwag Tae-gwan, a media artist who directed the documentary. “St. Isidore Farm is a popular place in Jeju and attracts many tourists. I hope more people will watch the film and learn about the priest and the great things he did for the island.”
Father McGlinchey, known in Korea as Im P.J. arrived on Jeju in 1954 as a member of the Missionary Society of St. Columban. He spent the rest of his life working to improve the lives of local residents. He died in 2018 and was posthumously granted honorary Korean citizenship.
Father Patrick James McGlinchey in a scene from "Do you Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?" / Courtesy of Kwag Tae-gwan
The documentary opens with photos of his arrival soon after the 1950-53 Korean War. Seeing the poverty Jeju residents were living in, McGlinchey helped them become self-sufficient by teaching modern farming methods and encouraging cooperative work.
In 1961, he established St. Isidore Farm, where he bred local pigs and distributed them to islanders to help them earn a living. The farm eventually grew to house more than 1,000 pigs and hundreds of cows and sheep, according to the film. Today, the farm remains in operation with cattle and native horses, and produces milk to help fund a hospice facility.
McGlinchey also launched a weaving factory using wool, creating jobs for young women who otherwise had to leave the island for work. The factory employed some 1,300 women.
His efforts didn’t stop there. He later founded a community bank to make financial services more accessible to islanders, followed by an elderly care facility that now provides free care for terminally ill patients.
People who knew the priest all admired his deep love for people and his perseverance.
“He endured many hardships but was determined to improve the lives of Jeju residents. He achieved so much, yet never wanted recognition, believing he was simply doing what God asked of him: to love others as God loves you,” one interviewee said.
View of the care facility for terminally ill patients founded by Father Patrick James McGlinchey in a scene from the documentary "Do you Know the Pig Priest of Jeju?" / Courtesy of Kwag Tae-gwan
The director said 30 minutes was far too short to capture McGlinchey’s full story.
“I had to cut out so many parts. I want to say thank you — and sorry — to those who shared their memories with us during the making of the documentary.”
After McGlinchey's death, fellow priest and veterinarian Michael Riordan took over leadership of St. Isidore Farm, continuing McGlinchey’s mission.
The documentary will be available at @inmun360 on YouTube in early December, alongside other videos of the ARKO contest.