Business Bureau, Gulf Today

The theme of Ireland’s participation in Expo 2020 is ‘Ireland – Island of Inspiration’. It will tell Ireland’s epic story to the millions of visitors who are expected to visit Expo 2020, which runs from 20 October 2020 – 10 April 2021. It reveals Ireland as a place of constant and multifaceted inspiration, from its landscapes and heritage to its culture and its people.

Ireland’s plans for its involvement in Expo 2020 in Dubai feature a national pavilion hosting a permanent exhibition and a comprehensive six-month programme of cultural, educational, sporting, business and other activities and events.

Ireland’s pavilion is inspired by the megalithic Newgrange lightbox and is a fusion of Western and Eastern architecture.

Welcoming the announcement, the Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE, H.E. Aidan Cronin, who is also Ireland’s Expo 2020 Commissioner General said: “Ireland’s story is an inspirational one and Expo 2020 is an opportunity to tell that story to a large, truly global audience. Our pavilion will showcase Irish history, science, technology, business, and culture.

“The re-creation of the Newgrange lightbox will be a highlight of our pavilion, when visitors will get a chance to experience one of the wonders of Irish innovation and creative thinking, dating back some 5,000 years.”

Ireland’s pavilion will be an enjoyable, inspirational and visually stunning place to visit, with permanent exhibitions, artistic performances, seminars, showcases and a daily ‘Be Inspired’ programme spread across four thematic quadrants:

The Irish Fantastic. The Irish Scientific

Irish World Changers and Trailblazers

Global Ireland.

Each quadrant will comprise one major event, alongside an ongoing series of performances, talks, workshops and activities.  The full programme will be announced closer to the opening of Expo 2020.

Speaking about the cultural aspects of the programme, Ambassador Cronin added: “We are developing what will be an inspiring and enjoyable cultural programme that will introduce Irish culture to a whole new global audience. Expo 2020 offers us an unparalleled opportunity to raise Ireland’s cultural profile in the UAE and in the wider region and we are determined that this will be one of the tangible legacies of our involvement in Expo 2020. This will include partnerships with the local Irish community and with other local cultural partners.”

“There is a lot of work yet to be done, but I want to take this opportunity to thank everybody involved for the work that has been done up until now in developing Ireland’s Expo 2020 contribution.  Ireland’s Expo 2020 team looks forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to our pavilion – a corner of Ireland in the Middle East.”

“Come visit us and, I promise, you will be inspired.”

The Lightbox is an opening above the entrance to Newgrange, Archaeologists refer to it as a roofbox. The Lightbox and passage are aligned to direct the light from the rising sun around the Winter Solstice down the passage, lighting up the main chamber.

Ireland will participate in Expo 2020 through a national pavilion; a permanent exhibition; and a six-month programme with the theme ‘Be Inspired’.

Visitors to the Ireland pavilion will enter the pavilion’s ‘Oculus’ in groups of up to 63 for a short 360-degree seated virtual immersive experience.  Audio-visual projections on the walls of the room providing visitors with a sensory impression of Ireland as an island of inspiration, while telling the story of the country’s rich 5,000-year history.

Upon completion of the virtual tour, visitors will continue to the ‘Garden’, a space graced with fragrant potted and hanging plants, designed as a square within a square with an open roof and roofed internal perimeter – bringing to life both the European cloister and the Arab garden.

The Ireland pavilion is located in the Mobility District, close to Jubilee Park, the largest outdoor venue on the Expo 2020 site.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin (HQ) was appointed by the Government of Ireland to lead on Ireland’s participation in Expo 2020. Ireland is participating in the World Expo 2020 to raise the visibility of Ireland, Irish culture and Irish cultural institutions in the UAE, the Arab world and the wider MENA region, and amongst the other 191 participant countries.