Ireland unveils Newgrange design for its pavilion

Ireland has unveiled its pavilion for Expo 2020 Dubai – inspired by the megalithic Newgrange light box –that will tell the story of the country to millions of visitors.

Newgrange, a world heritage site, is a prehistoric monument in County Meath, Ireland, 8km west of Drogheda on the north side of the River Boyne.

The Newgrange light box will be a fusion of Western and Eastern architecture and the theme of the pavilion is "Ireland – Island of Inspiration".

The pavilion will show Ireland as a place of constant and multifaceted inspiration, from its landscapes and heritage to its culture and its people.

The country’s national pavilion will host a permanent exhibition and a six-month programme of cultural, educational, sporting, business and other activities and events.

“Ireland’s story is an inspirational one and Expo 2020 is an opportunity to tell that story to a large, truly global audience,” Ambassador of Ireland to the UAE Aidan Cronin said.

“Our pavilion will showcase Irish history, science, technology, business and culture. The re-creation of the Newgrange light box 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.”

Mr Cronin is also Ireland’s Expo 2020 commissioner general.

Permanent exhibitions, artistic performances, seminars, showcases and a daily programme spread across four themes – the Irish fantastic, the Irish scientific, world changers and trailblazers and global Ireland – will be part of the event.

“We are developing an enjoyable cultural programme that will introduce Irish culture to a whole new global audience,” Mr Cronin said.

“Expo 2020 offers us an 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.

“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.”