Irish Industrial Exhibition

The Irish Industrial Exhibition was a world's fair held in Cork in 1852,[1][2] the first to be held in Ireland (then part of the United Kingdom). It was opened on 10 June by the Lord Lieutenant, the Earl of Eglinton.

Irish Industrial Exhibition
Cork Exhibition, 1852
Overview
BIE-classUnrecognized exposition
NameIrish Industrial Exhibition
Location
CountryUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
CityCork
Coordinates51.8971°N 8.4654°W / 51.8971; -8.4654
Timeline
Opening10 June 1852

Taking place two years after the Great Famine ended,[3] and following a significant increase in Cork's population due to an influx of people fleeing the countryside[4] the fair stemmed partly from attempts to revive local industries.[4]

It was housed in the Albert Quay area in a cruciform building designed by John Benson with three wings given over to industrial exhibits such as whiskey, projectile shells, hydraulic presses, Valentia slate and gingham[5] and a fourth to fine arts.[5]

Fine arts

There was a fine arts hall which included canvas and glass paintings, sculpture and Irish antiquities.[6] Work on display included items by sculptures Thomas Kirk, John Edward Jones, Patrick MacDowell, Joseph Robinson Kirk and John Henry Foley.[6] John Hogan had works both in the main art section, but additionally his The Dead Christ was in a separate darkened room.[5]

Aftermath

Benson achieved success with his design for the exhibition building and this acted as a template for the opera house to be built in Cork.[7] He was also asked to be the architect for the world's fair in Dublin the next year. However, the aim of reviving industries was largely unsuccessful and census returns showed a decrease in males employed in manufacturing.[4]

References
  1. Pelle, Kimberley D. (2008). "Appendix D: Fairs Not Included". In Findling, John E.; Pelle, Kimberley D. (eds.). Encyclopedia of World's Fairs and Expositions (revised ed.). Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 414. ISBN 9780786434169.
  2. National and State Industrial Exhibitions. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Historical Register of the Centennial Exposition, 1876. Edited by Frank Norton. Frank Leslie's Publishing House, New York, 1877. Pg. 4
  3. Ross, David (2002) Ireland: History of a Nation; p. 313
  4. "Cork in the 19th Century: Cork Past and Present". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  5. "Crawford Art Gallery, Cork City, Ireland". Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  6. "The National Exhibition, Cork, 1852 - Mapping the Practice and Profession of Sculpture in Britain and Ireland 1851-1951". Retrieved 16 March 2012.
  7. "Opera House". Retrieved 17 March 2012.


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