Minerva April 2017

M i n e rva

i n e rva

editor

Diarmuid hanifin

contributors

susan Cox paul farrelly

ann-Marie hardiman Colm Quinn

Catherine Jordan natasha serne

Dara o’leary gerard Whelan

Welcome to the april Minerva

Design and Production sub-editing and layout think Media ltd t: 01 856 1166 www thinkmedia ie print impress printing Distribution sooner than later

royal DuBlin soCiety

Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 t: 01 668 0866 f: 01 660 4014 www rds ie

Chy no : 1325

general: info@rds ie rDs Membership: members@rds ie

Minerva, the magazine for Members of the royal Dublin society, is published tri-annually any views expressed are not those necessarily held by the rDs or its Council no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without prior written permission

Front cover: aoife gibney, winner of the 2016 rDs Music Bursary

Working to ensure that the next generation fulfils their potential is the stated goal of the foundation Board it is a goal that has quickly become vital to the overall mission of the society. one significant way in which we meet this goal is through the rDs Music Bursary. this annual competition can have a measurable and lasting impact upon a young musician at a formative stage of their budding professional career in this edition of Minerva you can read just how important that Bursary can be and how it allows brilliant young talent to flourish and it is thanks to rDs Members that we are able to nourish such talent. last year Members were asked to give to specific rDs projects and it was really encouraging to see the generosity of many Members in action as a direct result of two substantial gifts, we have been able to offer a second prize at this year’s rDs Music Bursary, as well as a stipend for all the student musicians who participate in total, this means that we have doubled the amount of money that the 2017 rDs Music Bursary will distribute later this month, making the Bursary a very significant contribution to the future of classical music in ireland

another project we intend funding in the future is the digitisation of the rDs archives the potential of this historical source has not been fully explored as this can only really be done once the archives have been digitised. this will lead to a fuller understanding of irish society over the last 300 years and the contribution made by the rDs during this time you can read more about this project in this edition of Minerva

Bernie Brennan rDS PreSiDent aPriL 2017

DePartment contactS agriculture & rural affairs (01) 240 7215 agriculture@rds ie arts (01) 240 7255 arts@rds ie enterprise (01) 240 7215 enterprise@rds ie equestrian (01) 240 7290 equestrian@rds ie Library (01) 240 7254 librarydesk@rds ie membership (01) 240 7296 members@rds ie Science & technology (01) 240 7289 science@rds ie

events

Day at rDs economic vision 2020 Wonderful trips for Members guide

Catherine Day at rDs economic vision 2020

trust, confidence and communication are required by ireland’s representatives and by the irish people over the next few years for ireland to prosper that is according to Dr Catherine Day, former secretary general of the eu, who spoke to a packed breakfast audience earlier this year as par t of the rDs economic vision 2020 series inevitably, ireland’s relationship with the eu and Britain was at the hear t of the talk and Catherine gave a fluent and illuminating presentation on challenges that await the eu. echoing values that rDs Members should recognise in our own work, she spoke of how

investing in education and human capital is the best thing ireland can do to ensure its economic future according to Catherine, the eu will ultimately become more integrated as we cope with global problems such as the migration crisis and climate change europe, she noted, was joined together by a conviction that was lacking in the uK and that ireland was much better off being secure in its position in the eu, than in a much more isolated position outside of the union.

Catherine's wide-ranging address was the first of this year’s talks in the rDs

DISCUSSING THE FUTURE

economic vision 2020 series. this series follows an rDs tradition of sharing new ideas and innovative thinking that harks back to the very

Wonder ful trips for Members

Join us at thes e fant astic events.

Lismore opera Festival

June 2-4

set in the stunning surrounds of lismore Castle and gardens, and in the beautiful and historic great homes along the river Blackwater, lismore opera festival is a true gem for lovers of music and the good life it inspires not just with arias and choruses, but through the wonderful location, surrounding countryside, stunning architecture, gardens, food, wine and more Join fellow rDs

Members on this special visit to a unique cultural experience.

trip to the rtÉ nSo Summer Lunchtime concert

June 27 as part of her 2016 rDs Music

Bursary award, soprano aoife gibney will per form a concerto with the rtÉ national symphony orchestra in the national Concert hall this is an opportunity for Members to enjoy the concert and a postconcert reception and opportunity to meet aoife for more information or to book, contact susan Cox at susan@rds.ie or book online.

trip to Venice

september 21-24

light skips over the water as gondolas ease by heading for the rialto Bridge glimpses of the ornate architecture of piazza san Marco tease as you make your way through bustling cobbled streets on your way to this most famous venetian landmark

With an evening attending La Traviata at teatro la fenice, it promises to be a very special day reward yourself by joining rDs Members on a visit to the incredible city of venice.

foundation of the society. you can see details of fur ther talks in this series in the calendar in this magazine, or on www rds ie/members

taking in all the city has to offer, as well as trips to the nearby historic island of Murano and colourful Burano, Members are encouraged to sign up early for this superb trip

for further details on all of these trips, contact the Membership desk on 01-240 7296 or via email at members@rds.ie.

2017 rDs visual art awards curator

artist nick Miller has been appointed as the 2017 rDs visual art awards exhibition curator the sligo-based painter will also be a member of the awards’ judging panel, and as curator will work with the selected art graduates to bring the exhibition to fruition.

Born in london, nick moved to

ireland in 1984 and has been a member of aosdána since 2001 in 2014, he won the inaugural hennessy portrait prize at the national gallery of ireland for his portrait of artist Barrie Cooke equally adept in a number of genres, he moves between drawing, watercolour and oil with confidence, and is as at

institute of physics dinner

the Council of the institute of physics (iop) met in the rDs in January. With a worldwide membership of over 51,000, this was the first time the london-based Council met outside of the uK the visit coincided with the annual Bt

A GREAT EVENING

young scientist and technology exhibition, as well as the rDs primary science fair. iop members attended both events and were taken with the engagement of participating students with science and the high calibre of work on display

home with portraiture as he is with landscape painting he has lived in Co sligo since 1993 and has captured much of the landscape surrounding him from the back of a former electrician’s truck, which was modified to serve as his mobile studio his frank and honest approach to his work is evident in this Truckscapes series of landscape paintings Different critics have compared him to artists such as van gogh and Jack B yeats, primarily because these artists are notable for their use of heavy impasto and work in an expressionist style the annual rDs visual art awards provide a platform for graduating artists as they transition from study into early professional career a team of independent curators will view the end of year degree shows in selected colleges around the country and will longlist artists,

who will be invited to apply online for the 2017 rDs visual art awards

nick will lead a number of tours of the exhibition during the week of the show and on thursday, october 26, will give a talk about his own work as part of the rDs library speaker series for more information, see www rds ie/visualart and www nickmiller ie

guide to Dublin horse show 2017

the 2017 rDs Dublin horse show is steadily appearing on the horizon, so get yourself ready with this handy checklist:

n this year’s rDs Dublin horse show takes place from august 9-13

n Members have complimentary access to the show, but you must have your Membership card on you at all times and may be asked to produce photo identification also Membership cards are strictly non transferable

n Members will have access to the rDs Dublin horse show with a valid rDs Membership card through the Members’ Club and the Belvedere gate (Membership cards must be produced to gain entry).

n tickets for the Main arena may be booked via the Membership desk

(members@rds ie; 01-240 7296) tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis

n Members’ complimentary tickets for friday are now fully allocated n the Members’ Club will be open from 9 00am-7 00pm Wednesday to saturday, and until 6 00pm on sunday

n Children are welcome to the Members’ Club on the sunday of the Dublin horse show.

n a buffet will be served each day in the thomas prior room from 12 00pm-3 00pm

n a table d’hôte menu will be served in the Dining room on Wednesday, thursday and friday from 12 30pm-2 30pm advance booking is essential; call 01-668 9244 to book a table (no further bookings can be taken for friday, which is fully booked at time of going to press)

n afternoon tea will be served each afternoon in the thomas prior room from 3 30pm-5 30pm

n evening dining takes place on friday night, with orders taken from 6.30pm-8.15pm.

n the Members’ Bar at the Main arena directly overlooks the show jumping and will be open from 11 00am each day until 30 minutes after the end of the final event Membership cards are required for entry and a maximum of three guests (one on friday) can be signed in per Member

n for health and safety reasons, there is a limit of 30 people allowed in the Members’ Bar at any given time your co-operation in this matter is much appreciated.

n the rDs Dublin horse show is a good opportunity for Members to use their food and beverage credit, which is valid until october 31.

foundation Board and Membership Committee vacancies

foundation Board – two vacancies

the role of the foundation Board of Council is to increase the impact of the philanthropic work programme of the rDs. Meeting up to 10 times a year, the maximum term of service on the 12-member Board is two terms of three years two vacancies will arise on the Board at the end of september 2017

Membership Committee – two vacancies

the role of the Membership Committee is to ensure the support and involvement of Members of the society Meeting up to six times a year, the maximum term of service on the 12-member Committee is two terms of three years. two vacancies will arise on the Committee at the end of December 2017.

procedures

all expressions of interest are considered by the nominations Committee of the rDs Council, which will subsequently make recommendations for consideration and approval by the rDs Council at its June 2017 meeting all expressions of interest are treated in the strictest confidence

Current Members of the rDs wishing to be considered as possible candidates to serve on the foundation Board or the Membership Committee are asked to complete an expression of interest form, available from the registrar on 01-240 7221, or via email at eileen byrne@rds ie, and return it no later than friday, May 26, 2017 at 12 noon. informal enquiries may be made to the registrar or the Director of foundation on 01-240 7299, or via email at joanna.quinn@rds.ie.

Moving up the s c ale

the rD S music Burs ar y has been suppor ting young musicians for over a dec ade and has recently s een s ome big changes, which wil l enable it to help even more.

TALENTED 2014

through its Music Bursary, the rDs helps aspiring young irish musicians to succeed in becoming professional musicians “the aim of the award is to assist a young musician to develop his or her career through further study at home or abroad, or for the purchase of a musical instrument,” said Chair of the rDs Committee of arts, Joseph lynch “this challenge has never been harder, or more costly, and the rDs Music Bursary gives young musicians the opportunity to focus on mastering their craft at a formative stage in their career progression.”

the award has changed over the past few years and this year it will be significantly different in a few important ways Dara o’leary, rDs arts programme Manager, explained: “from this year on, the rDs Music Bursary has moved from one award to three We’ve been adding to the value of the prizes by partnering with others who see the value in what we are doing, which means that this year we’re giving away more money than ever before” along with the main rDs Music Bursary, where the winner receives €15,000, a performance opportunity with the rtÉ national symphony orchestra (nso) and a solo concert recital in london, two new prizes have been added this year courtesy of generous support by rDs Members tom and ann Jago are sponsoring the new annual rDs Jago award, which will see a second young musician receive €5,000 and a choice between either a professional performance engagement with one of rtÉ's performing groups or a studio recital broadcast opportunity with rtÉ lyric fm former winners of the rDs Music Bursary have the chance to be selected for a new performance award, which has been created thanks to the support of rDs members Michael and loret o'Brien. the rDs Collins Memorial performance is in association with the lismore opera festival.

a previous rDs Music Bursary winner will be selected annually by the artistic Director of lismore opera, and will be given a performance opportunity at the lismore opera festival, which takes place in June in lismore, Co Waterford the first recipient will be violinist patrick rafter (2015 rDs Music Bursary winner) who will give a recital in st Carthage's Cathedral in lismore on sunday, June 4, during the festival. also supported by the o'Briens, each candidate who is called for interview will receive a stipend to cover any travel and performance-related costs associated with attending the interview on april 20, something that will no doubt be appreciated by the student musicians who attend

new per formance aspect

these changes come on foot of the increase of the Bursary from €10,000 to €15,000 two years ago “if you do a master’s in london for example, the fees alone average around £9,000 a year, so €10,000 just wasn’t having the impact that we want the Bursary to have,” said Dara.

With the performance opportunities that are now part of the prizes, it is important that the judging panel is able to assess the winner’s ability to deliver on this very valuable part of the award a performance aspect has been introduced to the Bursary interview process the musicians will do a short recital performance, followed by a panel interview as Dara pointed out: “ the whole point of what we’re doing here is to help people who want to have a professional career as a musician it’s really only for exceptionally-committed and talented young musicians it is a very unique award and all the previous winners really value it”. 2015 rDs Music Bursary winner patrick rafter is one such grateful

CELEBRATED

recipient: “having lived in london for some years, i know the difficulty of funding studies and how it often means not being allowed to focus solely on your craft due to other work that acts as a fund however, this award enabled me to focus solely on my studies and gave me financial freedom to work in a healthy and financially free state of mind” the rDs Bursary helped the 2014 winner, trombonist Clara Daly Donnellan, pay for study at the hochschule der Künste in Bern, switzerland. she said the award is the envy of her international class: “We all have very different experiences of the treatment of the arts in our countries obviously, bursaries and things like that come up in conversation every now and then and i mentioned winning this and everybody said: ‘i wish i was irish’, because in so many other countries, support like this just doesn’t exist”

Máire Carroll, pianist and 2012 winner, said: " the generosity and investment by the rDs into your career and your future is really what’s exceptional about this Bursary. it’s not just that you’re handed some money and that’s great and you represent the year. they’re really looking out for you and they really want you to succeed”

Máire Carroll, pianist – 2012 winner

“Winning is a real honour because you’re representing a small group who have been selected over the last decade or so there still aren’t that many winners and to be represented and supported by an organisation such as the rDs is something you’ll have forever that’s certainly what i’ve discovered; my relationship with the rDs has grown from strength to strength over the past few years ”

a springboard of opportunities the opportunities that the rDs Music Bursary offers can lead to many more achievements. after patrick’s performance with the rtÉ nso, courtesy of the rDs Music Bursary, the orchestra quickly wanted him back again

Clara’s performance with the nso led to her being recommended by rtÉ when pop star adele contacted them looking for female brass musicians for an irish concert Clara performed alongside adele in front of 15,000 people in Belfast

patrick rafter, violinist – 2015 winner

“i was awarded first prize at the international valiant violin Competition in switzerland – this was a competition where i was up against some of europe’s finest young musicians i believe that a key part of that success comes through this award and thus i would like to express my deepest gratitude to the rDs for their wonderful philanthropic work ”

“the existence of the rDs Bursary is wonderful Musicians put a lot of hard work into their craft, and need real passion for what they do for this to be encouraged by a group of people who commit their time and resources for no individual benefit, just to help someone do the thing that they love to do – that’s amazing.”

the goal of the rDs arts programme is to provide a platform that supports the transition from student to emerging artist, encouraging the pursuit of a career in visual arts, crafts or music. awarded on an annual basis since 2003, the rDs Music Bursary is open to winners of selected senior competitions in the esB feis Ceoil who are attending or have completed a third-level music degree, or are studying at a similar level with a recognised teacher in ireland or abroad the qualifying feis Ceoil competitions in 2017 are: the Morris grant Bursary (piano); gervase elwes Memorial Cup (vocal); McCullough Cup (woodwind); senior Brass recital (brass); and, the aileen gore Cup (strings) the judging panel will be chaired by rtÉ's John o'Kane. the other members of the panel are: seamus Crimmins; Madeleine staunton; annette Cleary; and, philip Dodd.

the rDs and the development of scientific thinking in ireland

Later this year the rDS will look back at the history of science in ireland, including moments when the Society played an impor tant role in some historic scientific developments.

from its very beginnings, the rDs set out to encourage scientific innovation and endeavour By the mid-18th century the rDs was offering financial support to irish scientific and technological initiatives through the distribution of grants from the irish parliament and from its own premium scheme, which was first proposed by the rev samuel Madden in 1739 and was administered by the society until the early 19th century

early

involvement

Moving beyond support and into participation, in 1797 the rDs established a chemical laboratory at its premises on hawkins street, one of the earliest of its kind in ireland or Britain initially established to encourage experimentation in “dyeing materials and other articles, wherein chymistry may assist the arts”, the rDs laboratory developed into a venue for the delivery of practical instruction in chemistry and physics During this period the appointment of professional staff to deliver courses of lectures on botany, chemistry, physics and geology also furthered the role of the rDs in the dissemination of scientific learning in ireland. in 1810 the rDs brought over english chemist and inventor humphrey Davy to deliver a series of lectures on electro-chemical subjects at hawkins street Davy returned to Dublin in 1811 to give another course of lectures on chemical philosophy, and while in the city he was asked to supervise the construction of a ‘voltaic battery’ for the rDs laboratory he was duly made an honorary Member of the society

Celebrating science at the rDs

the rDs library & archives is engaged in a research project focusing on the rDs science archive this work will examine rDs involvement in irish scientific discoveries and innovative technologies a research bursary of €10,000 has been awarded to Dr adrian Kirwan to complete a study on the radium institute later this year the rDs library & archives will host a conference on the history of science, and will issue a call for papers on the history of science and technology in ireland. please see www.rds.ie/librarybursary for further details.

Moving on in 1815 the rDs moved its headquarters to leinster house, where the kitchen wing was refurbished to include the laboratory and a lecture theatre, which remained in use until 1899 when its new theatre, now better known as the Dáil chamber, opened the rDs continued its programme of scientific lectures after the move to Ballsbridge in 1924 the rDs Concert hall opened in 1928 and became the venue for lectures, which continued to introduce new thinking in science and technology to the irish public the rDs also sought to disseminate the latest thinking in science and technology through its own publications. published from 1799 to the mid1980s the society’s journals featured articles by leading irish scientists including george Johnston stoney, george francis fitzgerald, ernest Walton, John Joly and robert stawell Ball the rDs also entered into an exchange programme with other national and international learned societies, which enabled it to build an impressive collection of scientific periodicals

recognising excellence in 1899 the rDs awarded the first Boyle Medal to physicist george Johnstone stoney, most famous for coining the term ‘electron’, which arose from his work on the kinetic theory of gases and spectroscopy. still awarded today, the

ONGOING SCIENCE PROMOTION

The RDS Primary Science Fair is one way in which the RDS continues this proud tradition

Boyle Medal recognises scientific research of exceptional merit. previous Boyle laureates include thomas preston, John Joly, henry h. Dixon, phyllis Clinch, patrick J nolan and John l synge the current Boyle laureate is seamus J Martin, smurfit professor of Medical genetics at trinity College Dublin the radium institute was founded in 1914 on the rDs campus at the suggestion of John Joly, professor of geology at trinity College Dublin and president of the society Joly provided the radium bromide used by Dr Walter Clegg stevenson to successfully treat a case of skin cancer at Dr steeven’s hospital in Dublin. Joly and stevenson’s collaboration resulted in a new method of radium therapy, known as ‘the Dublin Method’, in which sealed glass capillary tubes containing radon gas were loaded into serum needles that were then injected directly into the tumour the institute continued to supply radium from its headquarters in the rDs for the treatment of cancer until 1947 when the state set up the radiological institute, and by 1952 its work and equipment had moved to st luke’s hospital, Dublin today the rDs continues its commitment to the promotion of science in ireland through its science and technology work programme, the chief aim of which is to encourage the development of science and mathematical skills in primary school-aged children by fostering educational innovation.

professor Dervilla Donnelly presented with Cunningham Medal

OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION

professor Dervilla Donnelly, the first female president of the rDs (1999), was last month acknowledged for her “outstanding contribution to science scholarship” with the Cunningham Medal, the highest honour that the royal irish academy (ria) can bestow, and one that is awarded every three years. professor Donnelly’s field of expertise is in phytochemistry, the study of chemicals with biological activity derived from plants, and her work in the area quickly gained international distinction over the course of her career her research was particularly focused on wood chemistry, and she has applied her research findings to a number of complex problems in the irish forestry industry as well as holding various offices within the rDs, professor Donnelly also held many national and international appointments, including Chair of the Custom house Docks Development authority, the national education Convention, and the european science research Council, and vice-president of the european science foundation. she was also made a fellow of the royal society of Chemistry, awarded the Boyle-higgins Medal from the institute of Chemistry of ireland, and served as Chair of the Dublin institute for advanced studies at the Cunningham Medal conferral, professor Donnelly spoke of her “great fondness for the rDs above all other organisations that i have been involved with; it remains very close to my heart i continue to admire how it renews and adapts to remain relevant to irish society” the rDs would like to add its congratulations to professor Donnelly on receiving this prestigious award.

Diplomatic engagement by the rDs

membership ambassadors have been a great success.

rDs Members can be rightly proud of the society's contribution to irish society both past and present. the recent increase in scale and impact of the rDs work programme is clear for all to see and it provides an excellent opportunity for Members to demonstrate the rDs work in action to people in their network who might share the same values and ambitions as the society of course there are many tangible benefits from rDs Membership, some of which you can read about below, but the mission of the rDs is of central importance to the society and Members are the custodians of that mission a vital way in which Members can continue to keep the society vibrant is to recruit potential Members who share the aspirations of the rDs mission.

Membership ambassadors to enable this, last year a pilot scheme of Member ambassadors was launched one of the suggestions to arise from the survey carried out by red C on behalf of the rDs was the development of a Member ambassador programme within the society these enthusiastic volunteers champion rDs Membership both to existing Members and to their wider network, with the aim of spreading the news about what the rDs is, what it

Membership benefits

of course, rDs Membership brings many benefits to Members too there are myriad opportunities to get more out of your Membership experience

rugby hospitality

the Members' Club has been open for all leinster games, offering prematch hospitality to rugby fans also, for the first time this year, the Club opened for away six nations matches, with big screens to show the match, a full bar and a special rugby menu.

Membership Development Manager Catherine Jordan says this is a really successful initiative:

" the number of people coming for leinster games is increasing all the time, and we encourage Members to bring friends and guests to enjoy the comforts of the Club"

lunch and learn

lunch and learn is another new initiative that has been a great success. Members and their guests enjoy lunch in the Members'

does, and what can be gained from joining and getting involved. in some respects this process formalised the work that many rDs Members already do to promote the society by inviting them to become Member ambassadors Membership Development Manager Catherine Jordan elaborates: "initially we ran this as a pilot scheme and held a briefing supper for people who expressed an interest in becoming Member ambassadors there we discussed the history of the rDs, our philanthropic work, and how we link our work programme with rDs Membership

Club, and during dessert and coffee, are enlightened by a guest speaker topics have included 'getting your garden ready for spring' from award-winning garden designer paul Martin, and 'Colour and style – getting it right' from interior designer ruth Kennelly

" these events encourage new faces in the Club, help people to meet with their friends and engage more with the Club," says Catherine.

Business networking Breakfasts

the rDs Business networking Breakfasts have been running for about 18 months, and are for professionals who are looking for an opportunity to learn and network in pleasant surroundings taking place on the third Wednesday of the month in the samuel Madden room, they are sponsored by lyrath estate and Convention Centre, Kilkenny, and feature talks from high-profile speakers on topics as diverse as career management, business motivation, brand purpose, Csr and much more.

We wanted to encourage this group to use their wider social and business networks, to speak about the rDs and invite guests to our events" the aim, she says, is to create a buzz around what the rDs is doing, to remind Members that they are part of the rDs, and that they have a vital role in promoting it: "We presume Members are telling their friends, but that's not always the case We want to encourage them to speak about us as proud rDs Members, and to encourage people that they know who share the same values as the rDs to become Members themselves". ambassadors receive a pack including a badge, calling cards and coffee vouchers to encourage them to bring like-minded people in to see the Club one such proud Member ambassador is stevan griffiths, a member of the Membership Committee with a particular interest in the society's sporting links he is especially keen that Members make the most of these, and that the rDs makes the most of its Members who have a strong interest in sports: " the red C survey found that a significant number of Members are also members of sporting clubs i believe ireland is one of the world's strongest sporting countries, in terms of people participating in sport, and there is significant economic and cultural benefit in this. it's not just about the health of the nation; events like the heineken Cup final bring enormous economic gains and the rDs has a role to play in highlighting this" he mentions in particular the campaign to bring the 2023 rugby World Cup to ireland as something the rDs and its Members could play a major part in he says he has enjoyed being a Member ambassador, and has recruited a number of new Members his message to Members is simple: "participate, express your view – it will be listened to – and make a

friday evening dining

fast becoming a tradition at the rDs, Members and their guests are welcome on the first and third fridays of the month to relax and enjoy a delicious meal and the comfortable surroundings of the Members' Club the rDs kitchen is still something of a Dublin secret, so friday evening dining is a great way to introduce friends or colleagues to one of the hidden delights of the society.

rDs Jazz singers

original rDs Choir founder Muireann ni Chinnéide provided the inspiration for this fantastic group and Choir Director teddy Cetto officiates the group, which now has 24 members, had its inaugural per formance before Christmas its next per formance, due to take place on april 21 in the library prior to friday dining, is much anticipated the rDs Jazz singers rehearse on thursday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm, and Members can contact Catherine if they'd like to get involved.

difference While i may have the badge that says i'm a Member ambassador, every Member should become an ambassador for the rDs"

Diane scott has been involved with the rDs since childhood and became a Member ambassador as a result of her involvement with the young Members' Working group also a sports fan, she regularly visits the Club for pre-match hospitality, as well as many other events: "i regularly attend the library talks, the economic lecture series and breakfast briefings. recently, i have been making use of the library's vast collection of thom's Directories as i am working on my family tree"

Diane says she feels privileged to be a Member ambassador, and "to promote the wonderful place that the rDs is and the work that it does" she is keen to invite both existing and prospective Members to visit the rDs and see all that it has to offer: " the benefits of membership only start when you park your car in the Members' car park have coffee, dine, read or have meetings in the elegant surroundings of the Members' bar, the dining room and the thomas prior room. take a wander around the library and view the vast array of books and desks where you can read or work in peace. Make a good impression on clients and business associates by hosting meetings in the meeting rooms available to Members the rDs is the ideal place to meet like-minded people and to establish new networks you will have the opportunity to learn through lectures and talks, and to attend some amazing events such as the primary science fair and the rising stars i believe we all have a role to play in promoting the rDs and its work as we look forward to the future and hopefully to another 280 years!"

awards and inspiring events

From events to get the young interested in ar t and s cience, to awards that recognis e agricultural innovators, rD S events this spring have covered a wide spec trum of interests.

Lunch and Learn – Dining room – 1.00pm – €20 members/€25 non-members (includes lunch) ian Whyte, Whyte’s auctioneers: Collecting and Valuing Art and Collectibles ian offers his expertise from years of collecting and valuing art 9 rDS rising Stars concert – rDS concert Hall – 7 30pm

Contact arts@rds.ie or book online at www.rds.ie/risingstars. pre-concert supper available in the Members’ Club – contact membersclub@rdshospitality ie

ian Fox and Siobhan campbell: 'Great cities in art and music – Venice' – Presidents’ room – 12 00pm-1 15pm the first of four talks from ian and siobhan on venice, london, vienna and paris

Business members’ networking Breakfast – members' club, muel madden room – 7.30am – €10 trick ronaldson, founding partner and rategic Director, rothco advertising agency: B: Back from the Brink of Brand Extinction

ian Fox and Siobhan campbell: 'Great cities in art and music – London' – conference room – 12 00pm-1 15pm

rDS economic Vision 2020 Breakfast –

7.30am Martin shanahan, Ceo, iDa ireland to book email enterprise@rds ie

Contact susan Cox at susan@rds ie for further information or book online. €20 Members/€24 non-Members

31 ian Fox and Siobhan campbell: 'Great cities in art and music: Paris' – Presidents’ room – 12 00pm-1 15pm

JUNE

2-4

rDS members’ annual trip to Lismore opera – Lismore, co Waterford

Come with us to the eighth lismore opera festival for this year’s performance of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore and enjoy a weekend of wonderful music in stunning locations

Contact susan Cox at susan@rds ie for further information or book online

JUNE

rtÉ national Symphony orchestra summer lunchtime concert – national concert Hall – 1 05pm as part of her 2016 rDs Music Bursary award, soprano aoife gibney will perform a concerto with the rtÉ national symphony orchestra in the national Concert hall this is an opportunity for Members to enjoy the concert and a postconcert reception and opportunity to meet aoife for more information or to book, contact susan Cox at susan@rds ie or book online

JULY

Lunch and Learn – Dining room – 1 00pm – €20 member/€25 non-members (includes lunch)

laura allen, Bank of ireland: Keeping up to date with technology – Get the most out of being online this is an excellent opportunity to work together with laura and gain an introduction to the basics of the digital world 14 Business members’ networking Breakfast – members' club, Samuel madden room – 7 30am – €10 Jane feighery, social entrepreneurs ireland: Developing an impact-driven CSR Strategy to meaningfully tackle Ireland’s social problems

22 an evening at the races in the company of Jim Bolger –Leopardstown racecourse (see panel below right )

rDS Bridge club Gala charity Bridge evening –

in aid of the royal Hospital Donnybrook

april 19 – rDs Concert hall (access via the Club)

play commences at 7 30pm sharp subscription of €15 includes light refreshments sections: Masters, intermediate a & B and novices

there will be first and second prizes in each section and a raffle on the night too. enquiries to Josephine fitzpatrick at 01 288 5525.

26 ‘noble above nobility– a Glimpse of Westmeath’ an opportunity to visit Mullingar and its environs with alastair graham and John holohan

AUGUST

2 2017 rDS craft awards exhibition the exhibition, including award-winning work, runs in the rDs Concert hall from august 2-4 and during the rDs Dublin horse show from august 9-13, 2017

9-13

rDS Dublin Horse Show

Members have access to the rDs Dublin horse show (with a valid rDs Membership card) through the Members’ Club and the Belvedere gate.

SEPTEMBER

21-24

rDS members’ cultural trip to Venice venice, the city of Marco polo, Casanova, Cannaletto; the home of Murano glass, gondolas and exquisite palazzi this trip will include an evening at the beautiful teatro la fenice for a performance of La Traviata, and it’s a must for any culturally curious rDs Members for more information or to book, contact susan Cox at susan@rds.ie or book online.

an evening at the races with Jim Bolger

June 22: an opportunity for Members to enjoy the company of the celebrated race trainer and rDs honorary life Member Jim Bolger enjoy a wine reception in the Members' Club before transport to leopardstown for a three-course dinner and a wealth of information from Mr Bolger, all for just €118 Book early to avoid disappointment Contact susan Cox at susan@rds ie or book online

Digitising the rDs library & archives’ collections

centuries of material is being preserved and made more accessible to researchers and members.

VALUABLE ARCHIVE

“as an historical researcher in the fields of political and economic history i found the rDs library & archives to be an invaluable, and surprisingly untapped resource ”

Mícheál Ó fathartaigh, Dublin Business school

as well as providing a lending service and a quiet working space for rDs Members, the rDs library & archives is the repository for the corporate memory of the society. the rDs archival collections contain material relating to the business of the society dating back to its foundation in 1731 and comprising a wealth of items relating to the rDs and irish society the rDs archival collections serve as a record of the contribution the rDs has made to the cultural and economic history of ireland, which is of interest not only to rDs Members but also to the wider academic community and the general public they include the society’s first manuscript minute books, the Dublin horse show and spring show archives, and the rDs concert archive they are a great, and largely untapped, archive of original source material that can potentially contribute towards a greater understanding of irish history since the mid-18th century.

Digitisation project

in 2017 the rDs library & archives will embark on an extensive five-year project to digitise a significant part of our archival collections. Digitising the rDs archival collections will help to ensure their future survival, while making them available to a greater number of rDs Members, historians, researchers and the general public, without exposing them to the risk of over-handling and other potential sources of damage

Digitisation will also enrich the rDs library & archives collections by drawing together material from different parts of our collections to create a digital archive that will provide a single point of access for information this will significantly enhance user experience by enabling researchers to analyse information across a range of archival sources, a task that is currently virtually impossible because of the amount of time required to draw together data from multiple sources, and will also offer access to the collections to those unable to physically visit the rDs

Digitising our collections also gives us an opportunity to link with other cultural institutions with similar collections, providing scope for us to host stand-alone or collaborative online exhibitions that will allow us to reveal parts of the collections not usually seen by rDs Members or the public the first phase of the rDs library & archives digitisation project involves the digitisation of the rDs proceedings, the printed record of the society’s business, for the years 1831-1900. it was decided to digitise the rDs proceedings first as they are one of the most requested items in the collections. Making digital versions available online will allow researchers to access these historically important records while significantly reducing the risk of damage to the original copies if you would like to find out more about the rDs library & archives digitisation project please drop into the library or contact us via the library Desk