The Irish International Exhibition (sometimes Dublin International) was a world's fair held in Dublin, Ireland, in 1907, when the country was still part of the United Kingdom.
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The decision to hold the exhibition was taken at the Irish Industrial Conference in April 1903,[1] and inspired by a small exhibition in Cork (The Cork International Exhibition) just 5 years earlier[2] was intended to improve the trade of Irish goods.[3] The leading force behind the project was William Martin Murphy, a prominent businessman and owner of the Irish Independent, Clerys department store (Clery & Co.), the Dublin United Transport Company and many other Irish and overseas ventures. The exposition ran from 4 May to 9 November 1907,[4] received 2.75 million visitors[5] covered 52 acres [4] and made a loss of about £100 000 sterling, although this was underwritten by guarantors.[3]
As well as contributions from countries including Canada, France and New Zealand there were displays of motor cars, electric and gas lighting and machinery[6]; fine art displays including work by Eva Henrietta Hamilton; funfair amusements[6]; a display depicting life in British Somaliland, the 'Somali village', was the exhibition's most popular attraction.[5]
The land used for the exhibition became Herbert Park, but the only remaining artifacts are a bandstand and pond.[7]
There was a separation of Irish and British pavilions at a time when desire for Home Rule for Ireland was becoming more vocal, and some years before a declaration of independence and secession of the Irish Free State from the United Kingdom.