[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.

[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.