Exhibiting Irishness: empire, race, and nation, c.1850–1970

This book, Exhibiting Irishness, examines the portrayal of Irish identity through exhibitions organized by British or colonial authorities, business leaders, and commercialists, rather than by groups like the Fenians. It also explores several of Ireland’s own exhibitions. It reveals a broad range of representations of Irishness from the mid-Victorian period to the later twentieth century. The book examines the portrayal of Irish people and their way of life at exhibitions, fairs, and expos. This is significant, since most studies have focused on the representation of black and Asian peoples at such events. Akhtar's work provides a significant, novel, and overdue study on this subject.