I am an Irish national and would like to apply for a multi-entry visa for China.

Hi Graham, can you tell me which organization in Beijing told you such news? If it's an authority agency, then what you are told should be correct. But I don't think you must apply in Dublin if you are now in another country.

Hi Sherry, I heard this from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing but also from an agent in Hong Kong. I have a friend that got a 2 year multi-entry one on his UK passport in London. Also I heard an unverified tale that it is possible to get the same in Macau. I travel to China at least once a month and stay for max 5 days, so I have a passport full of double entry permits, issued in Bangkok or Hong Kong. An agent in Dublin informed me that I can only get a 12 month multi-entry in Dublin, all very confusing.

Hi Sherry,
I just found this site:

I am following it, but it does seem to imply that a two year multi-entry is available somewhere.
Graham

UK citizens can now get the two-year multiple entry permit while Irish citizens cannot, according to what I now. You can apply for the one-year multiple entry permit instead. The information on the website you provided is out of date.