EXPO2005 Aichi Japan Expo 2005, celebrating 'Natures Wisdom', is taking place at Aichi, Japan from 25 March to 25 September 2005.
The Golden Pavilion, Rokuon-ji temple
Minister of State Tom Parlon, T.D. with members of Bru Boru at Expo 2005
Over 15 million people are expected to attend, visiting the pavilions of 122 national participants and a range of Japanese corporate representations.
Irelands participation is being led by
century. The replicas were made in
the Department of the Taoiseach.
the late 19th / early 20th century and
OPW was asked by the Department
had to be rebuilt and repaired for
to manage the construction and fit-
display in Japan. The rich imagery
out aspects of the project.
on the crosses provided the inspiration for a multimedia exhibition
The Japanese Government has
in the Pavilion that presents a 5,000
funded the provision of services at
year continuum of Irish creativity.
the Expo site and the Pavilions for participating countries. Each
The Crosses were repaired and
participant then prepares and funds
restored at the national Museum in
its own exhibition.
Collins Barracks. They were shipped to Japan in 27 crates and
The centrepiece of the Ireland
reassembled in the Pavilion by OPW
Pavilion is a selection of six replicas
and National Museum staff. OPW
of High Crosses on loan from the
and the Museum are particularly
National Museum. The original
pleased that the Crosses have been
crosses date from the 6th - 12th
repaired and rebuilt in such a way
OBAIR 15
The Kiyomimzu temple
presents replicas of other Irish
media will focus on that country.
treasures such as the Cross of Cong,
Ireland had its National Day on
and the Book of Kells which are
31March. Minister for European
contrasted with contemporary Irish
Affairs, Mr. Noel Treacy, TD, attended
painting, sculpture, architecture, craft,
as special representative on the
fashion, literature, theatre, film and
occasion. The programme for the
music.
Day includes a number of performances by Bru-Boru, the
Minister of State Tom Parlon, T.D. addressing visitors to the Irish Pavilion
that they can be returned to the National Museum in Ireland when Expo closes. The crates that were used to ship the Crosses to Japan (and will be used again for the return journey) were made from timber salvaged from other OPW projects. As well as the Crosses the Pavilion
OBAIR 16
An audio-visual space presents a
traditional music and dance group
range of important Irish environmental
from Cashel, Co. Tipperary and an
initiatives.
evening reception hosted by Minister Treacy.
All aspects of the construction have been co-ordinated and directed by
The Department of the Taoiseach set
the OPW. The exhibition was
a budget of 4m for EXPO 2005.
designed and prepared by Martello
This includes the design, construction
Media, Sandycove, Co. Dublin.
and maintenance of the exhibition, staff costs in the Irish Pavilion up to
Construction of the exhibition was by
end of September 2005, and funding
Asatsu-DK Inc, Japan.
of the cultural programme throughout the Expo operational period.
During the course of the Exposition, each country is allocated a National Day on which the Expo site and
Jim Blighe Project Management Services