1882 – Exhibition of Arts & Manufactures, Rotunda Gardens, Dublin

A smaller exhibition held in the gardens of the Rotunda Hospital. The manufactured good were mainly of the cottage craft industry while the artistic works exhibited were mainly by Irish artists.

“The design of Mr. George Ashlin, A.R.H.A., has been selected for this building. The site of the building is in the Rotunda Gardens. Iron and glass will be the chief materials used in the structure, which is to be light and graceful in outline, and will have a close resemblance to the Crystal Palace at Earlsfort Terrace. Spacious accommodation is to be provided for setting out in the best way the national products. The edifice is to be 250 feet in length by 200 in breadth. The main entrance to the Exhibition will show a handsome ironwork porch, or porte cochère, covered with a verandah. The interior of the building will not be divided into separate rooms for the different classes of exhibits, but will form a grand hall, covering about 40,000 square feet, having a gallery, with open iron trellis, Sweeping round the interior. A portion of the gallery will be set apart for an orchestra. While the great hall is principally intended for the exhibits, the whole of the extensive suite of apartments within the Rotunda, including the historic “Round Room,” will be utilised for the display, and the Pillar Room will form the statuary gallery.” The Architect, May 6 1882.