Royal Dublin Society

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The RDS (also known as the Royal Dublin Society but now rarely expanded), or Cumann Ríoga Bhaile Átha Cliath (CRBÁC) in Irish, was founded on June 25, 1731 to "to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland".^[1] The society's name is synonymous with its main premises in Ballsbridge in Dublin. These premises include the "RDS Arena", "RDS Simmonscourt", "RDS main hall" and other venues which are used regularly for exhibitions, concerts and sporting events - including regular use by the Leinster Rugby team during the redevelopment of their Donnybrook grounds.

Contents 1 Name and origins 2 Premises 3 Events 3.1 Show jumping 3.2 Concerts 4 See also 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Name and origins

The society was originally founded by members of the Dublin Philosophical Society, as the 'Dublin Society for improving Husbandry, Manufactures and other Useful Arts'. On July 8, 1731 - a couple of weeks after initial foundation - the designation 'and Sciences' was added to the end of its name.

The stated aim of the "Dublin Society" was therefore to promote the development of arts, agriculture, industry and science in Ireland. The "Royal" prefix was adopted in 1820 when George IV became Society patron.

[edit] Premises

The society acquired its current premises at Ballsbridge in 1879, and has since increased from the original fifteen to forty acres (60,000 to 160,000 m²). The premises consist of a number of exhibition halls (at the "RDS main hall"), a stadium (the "RDS arena"), meeting rooms, bars, restaurants, and an annex pavillion named "RDS Simmonscourt".

The RDS main hall is a major centre for exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events in Dublin. It hosts for example the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition each January.

The Simmonscourt pavilion has a capacity of approximately 7,000, and is expected to host the Meteor Music Awards in February 2008, as well as a number of concerts including The Smashing Pumpkins' and Avril Lavigne. Simmonscourt is where the show jumping horses are stabled during Dublin Horse Show week.

The RDS Arena was developed to host equestrian events, including the annual Dublin Horse Show. It is often used for other sporting events however - primarily soccer and rugby. Between September 1990 and April 1996 it was used for home games of Shamrock Rovers football club, on February 19 1992 it played host to a home game between the Republic of Ireland national football team and Wales, and into recent years, hosted the 2007 FAI Cup final.

In 2007 and 2008 the arena's capacity was expanded to 18,250 (with additional seated stands being built), and the venue has been used regularly by the Leinster Rugby team for home Heineken Cup and Magners League games. The club also moved their Leinster Rugby Store to the RDS (between the two parade rings), and it is open on match days.

The DART runs close to the RDS premises with Lansdowne and Sandymount being the closest stops. The RDS is serviced by bus routes number 7, 5 and 45, which stop outside the Main Hall Entrance to the RDS on Merrion Road.

[edit] Events

[edit] Show jumping

The first solely Society-run Horse Show was held in 1868 and was one of the earliest "leaping" competitions ever held. Over time it has become a high profile International show jumping competition, national showing competition and major entertainment event in Ireland. In 1982 the RDS hosted the Show Jumping World Championships and incorporated it into the Dublin Horse Show of that year.

[edit] Concerts

In recent years the fairgrounds have been used as a performance venue for numerous rock, heavy metal and pop bands. These have included Metallica (2003, 2004 and 2006), Iron Maiden, The Eagles, Slipknot, Korn, Linkin Park, Guns N' Roses, The Darkness, Tenacious D, Stereophonics and more.

Other popular acts such as Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Shirley Bassey, Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Britney Spears, George Michael, Justin Timberlake and My Chemical Romance have all played the RDS Arena. Bruce Springsteen has played there five times since 1988, including during "The Rising Tour" in 2003 and, most recently, in May 2008 when he played three dates on his "Magic Tour". ^[2]

The RDS has also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on two occasions.

[edit] See also

• List of Irish organizations with royal patronage

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official site
• The Fáilte Ireland Dublin Horse Show is Ireland's leading Equestrian event of the Summer

Preceded by Congresgebouw The Hague	Eurovision Song Contest Venue 1981	Succeeded by International Centre Harrogate
Preceded by Palais du Centenaire Brussels	Eurovision Song Contest Venue 1988	Succeeded by Palais de Beaulieu Lausanne

Celtic League rugby venues v • d • e

Cardiff Arms Park | Firhill Stadium | Galway Sportsgrounds | Liberty Stadium | Murrayfield Stadium | Musgrave Park | Ravenhill | Rodney Parade | RDS Arena | Stradey Park | Thomond Park