Irish International Exhibition

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) 5 years earlier.^[2] The 1907 exhibition was intended to improve the trade of Irish goods.^[3] The leading force behind the project was William Martin Murphy, a businessman and owner of the Irish Independent, Clerys department store (Clery & Co.), the Dublin United Transport Company and several other Irish and overseas ventures. Other organisers included the Irish journalist William Francis Dennehy.^{[citation needed]}

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;^{[citation needed]} Clare embroidery;^[7] funfair amusements;^[6] a display depicting life in British Somaliland, the 'Somali village', was the exhibition's most popular attraction.^[5][8]

The land used for the exhibition became Herbert Park, where remaining artifacts include a bandstand and pond.^[9]

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 the eventual secession of the Irish Free State from the United Kingdom.^{[citation needed]}

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  Map of exhibition site
• 
  Hall illuminated at night
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  Advertisement for Clare embroidery
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  Herbert Park Pavilion with bandstand

• Great Industrial Exhibition (1853)
• Colonial exhibitions
• International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures
• Dublin Civic Exhibition (1914)