Founded in 1731, the Royal Dublin Society has been located in Ballsbridge since 1879.
It is a non-profit body supported by commercial activities. The Society continues to fulfil its commitment to participate in the broad economic and cultural development of Ireland.
Through a prudent programme of investment, the Society has expanded and improved its facilities, including the installation of a high density Wi-Fi network in all major halls and meeting rooms. Situated in the heart of Dublin, served by all major public transport systems and surrounded by top hotels, the RDS can cater for every event.
The RDS hosts:
n International conferences n Exhibitions –public and trade
n Awards functions n Concerts
n Sporting events n Press and product launches
n Annual general meetings n Meetings and training seminars
n Private parties and weddings n Christmas and themed parties
n Examinations and graduations n Television productions
n Gala dinners and banquets
The Society’s buildings have been a landmark in Dublin since the late 1800s.
The Society, uniquely, has 10 multi-purpose conference and exhibition halls, breakout rooms, an outdoor stadium, several concert venues, meeting rooms, bars, restaurants, Wi-Fi throughout the venue and 2,000 car parking spaces. The sheer size and scale of the RDS makes it extremely flexible and easy to tailor to individual client needs.
Additionally, each year over 80 different projects are undertaken and funded by the Society itself, covering the Society’s Foundation activities of Agriculture, Arts, Industry and Science in Ireland.
The RDS is located right in the heart of Dublin city on a 42-acre site. The venue includes a range of halls and meeting rooms for events of all sizes as well as outdoor space.
Our venue map (see opposite) shows the full expanse of our unrivalled facilities. For precise details and specifications of the main facilities within the RDS, please consult the venue capacity table.
Contact us by phone on +353 (0)1 668 0866 or via email sales@rds.ie to discuss your requirements with a member of the RDS commercial team.
The RDS Venue
The RDS is nestled in an urban setting.The RDS can cater for any style of event.
Glamour and practicality mix perfectly at the RDS.
Location, Flexibility, Heritage
Exhibitions
The largest and most prestigious exhibitions in Ireland have been held at the RDS for more than a hundred years.
While a central and accessible location is a huge advantage for exhibition organisers, it is the flexibility of the exhibition set up that is the single biggest asset. With 10 multi-purpose exhibition halls ranging in size from 370 square metres to 10,500 square metres, exhibition organisers are assured of a configuration that will perfectly suit their needs. All the exhibition halls are situated on the ground floor which ensures easy access. For full details, please consult the RDS venue capacity table.
What our clients say...
“The BT Young Scientist Exhibition has been staged at the RDS for more than 40 years. The combination of flexible exhibition halls and willing co-operation of the RDS team, make the RDS a venue that I am happy to recommend to any exhibition or event organiser.“
Mari Cahalane –Project Director, BT Young Scientist Exhibition
The Halls can be used in combination for big events.
The Web Summit. Exhibition in the Concert Hall.
Location, Flexibility, Heritage
Hall 8 (Simmonscourt) set up for a conference.
Hall 1 in use as a workshop.
International events such as the EuroElectric Conference regularly come to the RDS.
Meeting Rooms and Private Dining
It’s difficult to convey the sheer variety of meeting rooms available at the RDS. However, the primary rooms are the Minerva Suite, Merrion Room, President’s Room and the Dodder Suite.
The Minerva Suite is ideal for any prestigious event and features polished wooden floors, chandeliers, marble sculptures and artwork. It has staged product launches, client receptions, seminars, training sessions, small exhibitions and comes with its own private bar, hallway, toilets, ante-room and boardroom. The Minerva Suite can cater for up to 120 in theatre style, 100 for dinner and 200 for a reception.
The elegant Merrion Room is located front of house on the Merrion Road and has its own private bar. It can host meetings, wedding receptions, conferences, dinners, exams and product launches. A flexible space that can cater for up to 110 in theatre style, 100 for dinner, 60 for exams and 160 for a reception.
The impressive President’s Room on the first floor of the Main Hall complex is imbued with the history of the RDS which is captured on a wall dedicated to the past presidents of the Society. It is ideal for meetings, seminars and private dining and can cater for 40 in theatre style, 50 for dinner or up to 60 for a reception.
The Dodder Suite is a complex of five rooms, three of which overlook the Band Lawn and Ring 2. It is ideal for a range of uses from seminars and training meetings to hospitality at big events.
What our clients say...
“I have been using the RDS for many years for small meetings and private lunches. My guests and I greatly appreciate the quiet atmosphere along with the professional and efficient service shown to us by the RDS team.”
Eddie Hobbs –Managing Director, Financial Development and Marketing Ltd; Author; TV Presenter
Meeting room capacities at the RDS:
NumbersVenue
Up to 25Dodder Suite C or E
Up to 30Dodder Suite D
Up to 40President’s Room
Up to 100Dodder Suite A
Up to 110Merrion Room or Dodder Suite B
Up to 120Minerva Suite
Private dining at the RDS –gourmet cuisine in splendid surroundings.
Location, Flexibility, Heritage
The Members’ Conference Room is a beautiful setting.The President’s Room is perfect for meetings.
The Minerva Room set up for a formal dinner.Meeting rooms are available with a variety of capacities.
Impressive private meeting and dining facilities at the RDS.
Location, Flexibility, Heritage
Dinner set up for 400 in Hall 3 (Serpentine Hall).
Melange of North County Dublin strawberry and rhubarb.
Honey roasted quail with parmesan crumbed quail egg, pickled beetroot, pea purée and roasted hazlenut.
Entertainment, Concerts and Sporting Events
Major national sporting events such as the Dublin Horse Show and Leinster rugby games are synonymous with the RDS. For many years they have provided great sport and entertainment for the public.
International exhibitions such as King Tutankhamun: His Tomb and Treasures and other major national entertainment events are staged with a professionalism and ease of access that appeal to both the public and organisers. World-class entertainment events are staged regularly. The RDS hosts major concerts annually and past acts have included concerts by Andrea Bocelli, Bruce Springsteen, Jay Z, Take That and Paul McCartney.
What our clients say...
“Funderland Dublin, synonymous with the RDS Simmonscourt since its launch in 1973, was integrated into the all new Christmas Wonderland event in 2013. Christmas Wonderland was hugely successful and enjoyable. The RDS is an ideal venue for a spectacle of this size and the RDS team is highly professional, capable and supportive.”
Don Bird –Company Secretary, Wm Bird (Sales) Ltd
For concerts and public shows, the RDS has four main facilities: Concert SizeRecommended Venue
Up to 35,000Main Arena
Up to 7,000Hall 8 (Simmonscourt)
Up to 5,000Hall 1 (Main Hall)
Up to 1,000Concert Hall
The annual Dublin Horse Show has been organised by the RDS since 1868.
Major acts regularly play the Main Arena –in this instance Take That played to an enthusiastic audience.
Location, Flexibility, Heritage
King Tutankhamun: His Tomb and Treasures at the RDS.
International fencing in the Concert Hall.
Amlin Challenge Cup Final 2013 in the Main Arena.
Location, Accessibility and Wi-Fi
Great location –easy to access
The RDS is located close to Dublin city centre on a 42-acre site. Visitors to the RDS can walk from the city centre or avail of the excellent public transport. For visitors travelling by car, there are 2,000 parking spaces on site.
The RDS Conference Village is an exciting collaboration between the RDS and top class local hotels to encourage international conferences and exhibitions to the Ballsbridge area in Dublin city. Organisers and delegates have access to 2,500 bedrooms in three, four and five star hotels within the immediate vicinity of the RDS.
For international visitors, Aircoach drops passengers directly outside the RDS from Dublin Airport. Dublin Airport is only 25 minutes by car via the tunnel. Dublin Port is approximately a 10-minute drive, while Dun Laoghaire Port is approximately a 20-minute drive from the RDS. Dublin has a large supply of taxis and several reliable chaffeur-service and car-hire companies.
Public transport in Dublin: DART, Dublin Bus and Luas –see maps on facing page
The DART (Dublin’s local rail system) has services from Malahide and Howth in north Co. Dublin, to as far as Greystones, Co. Wicklow, to the south of Dublin. The RDS is five minutes from Sandymount station.
Dublin Bus (Dublin’s public bus service) has an extensive network serving the city and suburbs. The RDS is served by the number 4, 7, 8, 18, 27X, 45, and 145 routes.
The Luas (Dublin’s on-street light rail/tram system) serves the city centre to and from west and south-west suburbs. Although the Luas does not pass the RDS, passengers can walk to the RDS from the Charlemont Luas stop, or take a short taxi ride.
WI-FI
The RDS has a high density Wi-Fi network which can support 20,000 simultaneous devices. A free Wi-Fi service is available throughout the site, while a premium Wi-Fi service is available at a cost and subject to requirements.
