Being at the forefront of Irish society for almost 300 years gives an organisation perspective. Since our foundation in 1731, the RDS has seen World Wars, Wars of Independence, rebellions, famines, and pandemics. It has seen the best of times, the worst of times, breath-taking triumphs and heart-breaking losses, and it continues to thrive.
Like many organisations, the RDS encountered hardships and challenges during the recent Covid-19 pandemic. We had to adapt, innovate, and navigate through extraordinary circumstances to survive. Events were cancelled or postponed but, where possible, we transitioned to virtual or hybrid events, we developed stronger relations with clients, sought more collaboration with partners, invested in technology, and enhanced customer experience.
This Impact Report outlines how the RDS adapted during that Covid period, and how it emerged as strong as ever in the post-pandemic world.
In gratitude, we continue to be indebted to our staff and to the many voluntary officers, sponsors, donors, judges, partners and participants, whose dedication and professionalism ensures that our mission is put into action. This Report is a testament to their efforts.
John Dardis, RDS President
In 1731, a group of visionaries convened for the first time and established what is now known as the RDS. Their goal was to articulate their radical vision of a more vibrant Irish society with a robust culture and economy. Almost 300 years on, their mission to inspire, enable and empower positive change on the island of Ireland still holds.
1746
The Dublin Society opens its Drawing Schools, providing free tuition in painting, drawing and architectural design
1732
The Dublin Society establishes its Library
1750
The Dublin Society receives its first charter and shortly afterwards adopts Minerva as its emblem
1820
The Dublin Society becomes the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) under the patronage of George IV
1845
The RDS offers a prize of £20 for research and remedies on the potato blight disease that is affecting Ireland
1877
The Dublin Science and Museum Act transfers the RDS Library, Museum, Botanic Gardens and Drawing Schools to the State. They will become The National Library of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland, the National Botanic Gardens of Ireland and the National College of Art and Design
1853
William Dargan funds the Great Industrial Exhibition on the grounds of Leinster House, facilitated and organised by the RDS, which in turn helps create the National Gallery of Ireland
1731
The Dublin Society holds its first meeting in Trinity College Dublin with an aim to advance Agriculture, Arts, Industry, Enterprise, and Science in Ireland
1736
1740
The first Visual Art Award is presented to Suzanna Drury for four watercolours of the Giant’s Causeway
The Dublin Society begins funding the planting of 55 million trees across Ireland
The Dublin Society establishes its Museum in the vaults of the Irish Parliament Building (now the Bank of Ireland Building, College Green)
1814
1831
The first RDS Spring Show takes place (continuing until 1992)
The Dublin Society purchases Leinster House from the Duke of Leinster for their headquarters
1795
The Dublin Society establishes its Botanic Gardens at Glasnevin
1860
The first Taylor Art Prize is awarded from a bequest left by Captain George Archibald Taylor
1864
The first Dublin Horse Show is held on the grounds of Leinster House
1879
The RDS acquire lands in Ballsbridge from the Earl of Pembroke on which to hold their Spring Show, Horse Show and Winter Show 1881
The RDS Spring Show and Horse Show are held at Ballsbridge for the first time
The RDS establishes the Irish Radium Institute and introduces one of the earliest treatments for cancer in Ireland 1922
The RDS gives use of its lecture theatre to the Irish Government for its Dáil chamber
The new RDS Library building is opened by Éamon de Valera 1968
The first RDS classical music recitals are given in Leinster House
The first RDS National Art Competition takes place
The RDS jointly establishes the Royal Veterinary College of Ireland 1899
The first Boyle Medal is awarded to George Johnstone Stoney who coins the term ‘electron’
The first Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition is held at the RDS 1965
The RDS Anglesea Stand is completed
The first RDS National Crafts Competition is held (in time this becomes the RDS Craft Bursary Awards) 1988
The first RDS Primary Science Fair is held, designed to encourage STEM skills among primary school children 2015
The RDS 2030 Vision series and RDS Library Speaker Series commence online with talks and webinars
The RDS introduces science lectures for children
The RDS moves its headquarters to Ballsbridge and the Irish Government take full possession of Leinster House
The RDS launches its annual Forestry and Woodland Awards 1992
The first RDS Gold Medal for Industry is awarded
The RDS Library & Archives Research Bursary is launched 2016
The RDS Visual Art Awards are launched
While ESB Science Blast takes place in Dublin, the Covid pandemic requires that other events must be cancelled, postponed or go online. Simmonscourt is used as a Covid Testing Centre, and the Shelbourne Hall becomes a Vaccination Centre 2020
2023
As part of the Enterprise Programme, the Vision 300 series is launched
2022
2019
The first RDS Music Bursary is awarded 2006
Leinster Rugby begin playing at the RDS
The RDS develop and deliver ESB Science Blast at RDS, Belfast and Limerick
The Positive Strides initiative is launched at the Dublin Horse Show focussing on the therapeutic and educational benefits of the human-equine relationship
2021
The inaugural RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary is awarded in partnership with the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI)
Since its inception almost 300 years ago, the RDS has grown into one of the world’s oldest philanthropic organisations with a mission to inspire, enable and empower positive change in Ireland.
THE RDS IN NUMBERS
The RDS remains focused on its long-term vision for Ireland through five key areas underpinning the island’s culture and economy: Arts, Agriculture, Enterprise, Equestrian, Science and Technology. 2020 - 2022 Investment in RDS Foundation Programmes
€15,392,366
€381,250 Prize Money Awarded 1,198 Awards (Monetary & Non-monetary) 70 Foundation & Library Events 35 Partner Organisations The numbers below illustrate how the RDS continued its social impact programmes, responding to the needs of its stakeholders and beneficiaries in challenging times.
S TAKEHOLDERS & PARTNERS
For almost 300 years the RDS has responded to the needs and priorities of Ireland, addressing gaps in the development of our culture and economy. The Society is focused on a long-term vision for Ireland. By harnessing the energy and ideas of our stakeholders, we can bring momentum and scale, making a long-lasting positive impact in Irish society.
Collaboration & Engagement
We know that when diverse thought leaders work together, we can make a real and sustainable impact for the future. This involves engagement with our members, organisations and experts, identifying and rewarding excellence in programme areas, and providing a platform by which awareness and learnings can be developed and shared.
As a membership organisation with almost 300 years experience of social impact, the RDS has built, and continues to build, positive relationships with a wide range of partners and experts. There are over 3,000 RDS Members across the 32 counties of Ireland and beyond. Many of these lend their expertise, energy and experience as Voluntary Officers on our committees, Board and Council to help drive the success of our programmes.
82 Voluntary Officers 2020-2022
Assisted on our Committees, Board and Council
In addition, many Members sponsor, donate and leave gifts in their wills that help fund RDS programmes. Without this charitable support, the work we do and the impact of our programmes would not be possible.
Rewarding Excellence
Awareness & Learning
Going online
Beyond our Membership, RDS programmes are heavily dependant upon the companies, trusts and organisations with whom we partner. This partnership comes in many forms – through sponsorship, through participation and through the sharing of expertise. Through collaboration with these organisations, we advance our programmes to maximise the social impact that we can make.
Our judges are critical to the effectiveness of our programmes. They offer encouragement and feedback to primary school children participating in ESB Science Blast who enthusiastically present their STEM investigations. They select the best of the best to win awards in our Arts, Agriculture, Equestrian and Library programmes. The work of the RDS could not happen without these judges.
The RDS Awards not only recognise the achievements of recipients, but also incentivise others to strive for that level of excellence themselves.
A key benefit of the RDS Awards is the publicity that they can provide to recipients. Many of the RDS awardees go on to win other awards, having been identified through our Foundation programmes. This can be attributed to a number of factors – the benefit to which our monetary prizes and bursaries can be put, the networking opportunities that emerge for recipients, and the invaluable mentoring that can take place for all participants.
When Covid-19 hit in March 2020, how it impacted on different sectors varied considerably. Many artists’ incomes evaporated completely. Educational services were massively disrupted. Businesses shut down. For many, sustainability concerns were now secondary.
692 Judges 2020-2022
provided their expertise to RDS programmes
During this time, the need for the RDS to continue supporting and recognising excellence in programmes including Arts, Sustainable Agriculture, STEM education, and Enterprise was more important than ever. The decision was taken for the RDS to adapt its programmes to the new virtual environment and to maintain its support where possible, rather than, for example, deferring awards and bursaries until the pandemic had passed. As the pandemic lasted longer than anyone might have initially envisaged, this proved to be a sound decision and had a positive and timely impact on our beneficiaries.
“Winning the award was such a rewarding and truly amazing experience. The entire process taught me so much and gave me such confidence in my ability. The bursary was a huge help… [and] was a brilliant platform for exposure and to sell my work, and network. The mentorship programme is truly invaluable and one of my favourite parts of the prize as I have learned so much. I am so inspired.”
Amy Kerr Winner of a 2022 RDS Craft Award
FUNDING
The RDS supports its social impact programmes through a mixture of revenue generated through events which take place at the RDS in addition to donations and sponsorship from RDS Members, supporters, companies, trusts, state bodies and legacies / gifts in wills.
For much of 2020-22, the typical venue operations of the RDS, a vital funding stream for our Foundation operations, were effectively put into hibernation due to Covid-19, resulting in major financial repercussions for the Society.
Fortunately, other income streams - Members’ subscriptions, rental from the Simmonscourt offices and land leasing - were largely sustained, to which were added generous donations and sponsorship from Members and organisations. This provided sufficient funding for our social impact programmes to pivot during the pandemic.
We are very grateful to all those supporters – individuals, companies, foundations and state agencieswho held fast and continued their support for our programmes, and an extra special thank you needs to be extended to those who increased or started their support.
Fundraising income for 2020-22
While Membership fees are, for the most part, spent on the costs associated with running membership (e.g. related staffing, admin, event costs etc.), many Members support the programmes through taxeffective philanthropic donations, which are invaluable to our social impact programmes.
“Our partnership with the RDS builds on our shared values and sense of purpose, and our commitment to promote STEAM education and learning (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths), creating opportunities not just for the children who participate directly, but for all of society.
Almost 18,000 children attended ESB Science Blast in Dublin, Belfast, and Limerick in 2023, with schools from 29 counties participating.
We are very proud to support this RDS initiative and look forward to working with the RDS to grow the reach and impact of the programme.”
Bevin Cody, Corporate Reputation Manager, ESB
ARTS
The RDS Arts programme supports artists, craftmakers, and musicians in Ireland through the provision of significant bursaries, as well as performance, studio, residency and exhibition opportunities. These artists are largely at the early stages of their careers – often at the most financially vulnerable point of their development. At its core, the Arts programme is comprised of :
• The annual RDS Music Bursary Programme which now has a €23,000 prize fund and offers prestigious professional performance opportunities for three young musicians annually;
• The RDS Craft Awards, which includes five annual €10,000 bursaries for emerging Irish craft makers, and the annual RDS Irish Craft Bursary of €10,000 for an established craft-maker, managed by the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland (DCCI);
• The RDS Visual Art Awards (VAA), an annual curated exhibition and competition, showcasing the very best visual art graduates and postgraduates from art colleges on the island of Ireland. There is a prize fund of over €30,000, including the €10,000 RDS Taylor Art Award, awarded by the RDS since 1860 to some of Ireland’s most successful artists.
From 2020-2022
€330,250 the RDS Arts Programme dispersed a total prize fund of across craft, visual art, and classical music.
The Covid-19 pandemic had a profound and multifaceted impact on the Arts sector, with widespread closures, financial strain, job losses, and challenges in maintaining artistic engagement with audiences. In such an environment, it became even more crucial that the RDS maintain its Arts programme to support the sector. While many elements of the RDS Arts programme had to be delivered primarily online between 2020-22, all award programmes continued during this time.
Indeed, in 2021 a new partnership was negotiated with Centre Cultural Irlandais, which enabled future winners of the RDS Music Bursary an international performance engagement in Paris as part of the award and, also in 2021, the RDS awarded the inaugural RDS Branchardière Lace Bursary (€8k) in partnership with the Design & Crafts Council Ireland. In addition, in 2022 targeted professional mentoring was added for Craft award-winners, with a view to assisting them to make the best use of bursary funds.
Over 170 artists, musicians, and craft-makers applied for these awards over that three-year period.
Over 2020-22, the Feis Ceoil also received significant annual support from the RDS Arts programme budget to fund emerging classical musicians.
In 2021/22, an external evaluation of the effectiveness of the RDS Visual Art Awards among participants and stakeholders was very encouraging.
Headline findings included:
• 80% perceived that their participation had a positive or very positive impact on their professional careers;
• Positive impressions of the RDS VAA were universal amongst stakeholders, with a minimum rating of positivity of 7.5 on a scale of 1 – 10.
“I won the RDS Craft Bursary in 2022. Without this funding, the creation of new work, and development of my practice would not have been possible. It has come at a pivotal point in my career and has been instrumental in ensuring the continuation of my practice. In addition to the financial impact of the award, it has been a big confidence boost for me, assuring me that what I make matters, and that there is a place for it. It is a huge honour for my work to have merited this prestigious award.”
Laura Quinn,
• The RDS VAA were perceived as very impactful on the careers of emerging artists by the stakeholders, with 63% of respondents rating it between 8 – 10 on a scale of impact.
Winner of the 2022 RDS Irish Craft Bursary
AGRICULTURE & RURAL AFFAIRS
From its earliest foundation, the RDS has sought to encourage innovation and the promotion of best practice in Irish agriculture. Today, the RDS Agriculture programme promotes the very best in Irish farming, forestry, and agri-entrepreneurship, which contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture on this island.
RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards is an annual awards programme that recognises and highlights the very best farmers, foresters, and agri-entrepreneurs in Ireland. These awards celebrate and promote the principles of climatesmart agriculture. With awards in livestock, forestry and, more recently, sustainability, we acknowledge individuals, communities and organisations that make a significant contribution to the development of rural Ireland.
RDS Climate Smart Agriculture Series delivers seminars, lectures, and workshops that address some of the main factors influencing the future development of agriculture in Ireland and considers how to marry our climate responsibilities with our future agricultural policy.
From 2020-2022
RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards provided through 44 individual awards
€61,000
“The forestry sector will greatly benefit from raised awareness and education into the future. Having someone as prominent as the RDS in helping to raise this awareness is a massive and timely boost.”
Peter Farrelly, RDS Production Forestry Award Winner
Awards events in 2020 had to be cancelled due to Covid-19, but a limited number of in-person events were able to take place in 2021. These events were also recorded and shared virtually on the RDS YouTube channel. In 2022, the Awards ceremony returned, and welcomed over 240 guests back to the RDS Concert Hall. The learnings made during lockdown were evident as video case studies, filmed on location, with each of the 13 award winners were also shared online, providing rich insight into the benefits presented by adopting a climate-smart approach to farming and rural development.
In addition, two RDS Climate-Smart Agriculture webinars took place in 2022, focusing on the organic sector and carbon neutrality in Irish agriculture. These webinars were viewed by over 7,000 people, which highlighted the potential reach of the series through social media channels.
Winners of the RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards (clockwise from left): Nick & Jack Cotter, Anne Maher, Eugene McKenna, and Ailbhe Gerrard
SCIENCE
ESB Science Blast is a non-competitive initiative, developed and delivered by the RDS to equip primary school children with skills relevant for the 21st century.
NUMBERS OF PUPILS IN ESB SCIENCE BLAST
to set the stage for when full inperson events could return in 2023.
Our ESB Science Blast judges come from the fields of academia, industry, education and government and very generously volunteer their time to enhance the experience of thousands of primary school students every year. Feedback from teachers consistently acknowledges the judging process as a highlight of the ESB Science Blast experience for their students.
From 2019-2023
“ESB Science Blast creates an environment where Science is for all, Science is everywhere and Science can answer the questions we all want to know the answers to.”
- Pupil, Multigrade class, Streamstown NS, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
In 2021, 4,125 students carried out investigations in the classroom while a new online ESB Science Blast TV show had over 30,000 views across both English and Irish episodes.
It is Europe’s largest educational programme for primary school children for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and is the flagship Science and Technology programme of the RDS Foundation. To date, more than 57,000 students from all across the island of Ireland have participated in ESB Science Blast over the last five years, of which over 17,500 participated in 2023.
While ESB Science Blast took place in the RDS Dublin, Belfast and Limerick in both 2019 and 2023, Covid-19 restrictions resulted in only the Dublin showcase taking place in 2020, with the Belfast and Limerick showcases having to be cancelled. In 2021, despite all the challenges, ESB Science Blast moved online with a successful TV show with over 30,000 views and, when possible in 2022, we were able to visit schools and create a STEM celebration at grassroots level. This period of online and hybrid activity taught invaluable lessons that enabled
2,200
In Dublin, Belfast, Limerick & online teachers participated in ESB Science Blast
Complementing ESB Science Blast in 2022 was the RDS STEM Learning programme, which pivoted to a new Teacher Continual Professional Development (CPD) course, run in association with the Marino Institute of Education. The course prepares teachers for the revised primary curriculum, integrating literacy and numeracy into Science, while also focussing on inquiry-based learning to promote collaboration and curiosity in the classroom and beyond. It quickly became one of the highest attended courses run by Marino in 2022.
ENTERPRISE
The RDS has been at the forefront of the economic and cultural development of Ireland for close to 300 years. Today, the RDS continues this work as it aims to build a strong, sustainable economy, as well as a better society, through enterprise and innovation.
The goal of the RDS Enterprise programme is to promote a vision for Ireland’s sustainable economic development, and to inspire ambition in Ireland. It accomplishes this through sharing ideas and hosting stimulating discussions through events that connect our audiences with some of Ireland’s most important and influential thought leaders.
Despite all the challenges presented by the pandemic during 2020-22, the RDS adapted and continued to deliver thought-provoking and inspiring events through the online RDS Vision 2030 series. By harnessing the expertise of leaders, influencers and innovators, topics relating to Ireland’s economic, environmental and social sustainable development were discussed.
Indeed, by connecting with an online audience, the RDS was able to extend the reach of the Enterprise programme in a way that was not possible when hosting in-person events only.
When 2022 saw the return of in-person Vision 2030 business breakfasts, these discussions were also recorded and made available online, increasing the reach and longevity of the talks. In addition to the video archive that has been created through the RDS YouTube channel, the Enterprise programme launched a new podcast channel in 2022, The RDS Podcast, enabling the Society to expand its programme on educating and informing on important economic and environmental issues.
In a countdown to the RDS’ tricentenary in 2031, the Vision 300 Series was launched in 2023. In this online series, Irish and international thought leaders aim to inspire, discuss and identify climate change opportunities and challenges in just 300 seconds of video.
Guest speakers at the RDS Vision 2030 series (clockwise from right): Lord David Puttnam, former President Mary Robinson, and Minister Eamon Ryan
LIBRARY, ARCHIVES & HERITAGE
The RDS Library collections contain over 100,000 books and journals of Irish and global interest, dating from the 17th century until the present day. The Archives offer a rich and unique resource for researchers and students of the social, economic and cultural history of Ireland, including material connected with the establishment of the National Library, the National Museum, and the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. In addition, the RDS Heritage Collection includes unique paintings, sculptures, prints and scientific instruments, some of which date back to the Society’s foundation in 1731.
From 2020-22, the Library & Archives successfully delivered its work programme and continued to provide services to RDS Members, staff and academic researchers despite the ongoing challenges presented by Covid-19.
The RDS Library & Archives Digitisation Project
This project began in 2017 to improve access to and ensure the continuing preservation of the RDS Library & Archives collections. To date, we have uploaded over 100,000 items to our digital archive and have created six digital collections and five online exhibitions, including the Heritage Council funded Treasures Exhibition. We have also digitised the RDS scientific journals and transactions (1799-1907), RDS proceedings (1764-2013), RDS Show catalogues (1831-2019), RDS manuscript minutes (1731-1762), and the earliest item in the collections - the illuminated Lacantius manuscript (c.1400).
Over 2020-22, the RDS Digital Archive continued to provide free public access to the RDS collections to researchers otherwise locked down by Covid-19 restrictions.
The next phase of the digitisation project will include the Lawrence Steele Collection: notebooks, correspondence, prints, books and glass plates related to Egyptology from the late 19th century; the RDS Concert Archive: programmes and correspondence relating to the RDS Recitals from the late 19th century to the early 21st century, and the Digital RDS History Exhibition, which will be a valuable resource for RDS Members, staff, researchers and those interested in the cultural, social and economic history of Ireland.
RDS Library & Archives Research Bursary
First awarded in 2016, the RDS Library & Archives Research
Bursary is an annual award of €10,000 for research in the RDS archival collections. To date, research has focused on the RDS Agricultural, Science, Craft, Fine Arts and Equestrian Archives. Two RDS Library & Archives Research
Bursaries totalling €20,000 were awarded from 2020-22, which focused on Science and Fine Arts.
An evaluation of the programme was carried out in 2022 and we are currently working towards implementing its recommendations.
The RDS Library Speaker Series
The RDS Library Speaker Series promotes the sharing of knowledge by hosting an eclectic mix of speakers whose presentations are reflective of the five key areas of the RDS – agriculture, arts, enterprise, equestrianism, and science, as well as experts and researchers who contribute to the national conversation, interpreting Ireland’s heritage. During Covid-19, the RDS Library Speaker Series went online, producing curated talks on literature, well-being and Irish culture and heritage.
EQUESTRIAN
The RDS Equestrian programme seeks to promote the Irish sport horse, breeder and producer, to develop a marketplace for Irish-bred horses, and to encourage and demonstrate the highest standards in breeding, welfare, training, and horsemanship. The Dublin Horse Show is considered one of the top equestrian events in the world.
Due to the pandemic, the Dublin Horse Show in 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled for public health reasons, although the 2021 RDS National Equestrian Championships was a great accomplishment in difficult times, both for the national sport horse industry, and for the RDS. After the two-year hiatus, the Dublin Horse Show came back stronger than ever in 2022 with the largest attendance in over 30 years.
2022 also saw the launch of the Positive Strides zone in the Main Hall at the Horse Show. This initiative promoted the tremendous benefits that equestrianism can have on people’s everyday lives and general wellbeing, particularly for those with additional needs or facing extra challenges in life.
The National Equestrian Education Pathway (NEEP) training project aims to progress the standard of horsemanship and education in Ireland for all ages.
The Dublin Horse Show, including a view of RDS grounds and rider, Cameron Hanley in action.
COMMON GROUND FUTURE STRATEGIES
The RDS Foundation programmes are shaped by our Members who drive change through the Foundation Board and thematic committees. The social impact programmes are designed and delivered by the RDS executive and are financed by the commercial activities of the RDS as well as funding from RDS Members, companies, trusts and foundations, state bodies and legacies.
As our world continues to rapidly evolve and face new challenges, it has become increasingly clear that we must take proactive steps to future-proof Ireland and ensure long-term sustainability. This is especially true for a small island nation like Ireland and, as the RDS edges towards its tricentenary in 2031, we want to ensure that we continue to play our role as a change leader for the country.
Arts
Agriculture
Enterprise
Equestrianism
Science
Library & Archives
As a charity, established almost 300 years ago to focus on the needs in Arts & Culture, Agriculture, Industry and Science, we continue to expand and adapt our scope to address these changing issues.
In addition to continuing the development of the RDS Library & Archives, the current five programme strands of the RDS Foundation (Arts, Agriculture, Enterprise, Equestrianism, Science & Technology) can work together to focus on four over-arching impact areas.
Finding Common Ground
Future Proofing
Inclusion in Sports
Equestrian Programme
Library & Archives
Finding Common
Ground
Biodiversity loss is one of the greatest challenges facing Ireland and the global community. The decline and extinction of species are impacting on our ecosystem’s capacity to provide clean water, food, energy, soil nutrients etc. These are essential to our health, well-being, economic prosperity and survival.
Ireland also generated approximately 16.2 million tonnes of waste in 2020, corresponding to 3.25 tonnes per person – an increase of more than 17% since 2012. With a circular material use rate of just 2% in 2020 (relative to an EU average of 12.8%), the EPA has stated that “Ireland has significant scope for progress”.
How we address such sustainability challenges will define how we, as a country and as a species, will survive and thrive into the future. These issues will become a key focus of the RDS as we collectively endeavour to find common ground in curating Irish natural resources and the circular bio-economy (including agriculture, forestry, and marine) for current and future generations.
Inclusion in Sport
Our goal is to develop partnerships and utilise our resources to boost inclusion and diversity in sports, increasing engagement and supporting excellence across all levels.
Equestrianism
Future Proofing
In 1890, the RDS introduced science lectures for children. In 2023, the RDS welcomed almost 18,000 pupils to the ESB Science Blast Showcase events in Dublin, Belfast and Limerick – to Europe’s largest educational STEM programme for primary school children. Our aim is to consolidate and expand on our strong record, facilitating engagement in science and lifeskills development, in addition to encouraging participation in arts, culture and creativity at all levels.
Our goal is to consolidate Ireland’s equestrian reputation internationally through the application of Equitation Science, promoting an evidence-based understanding of the welfare of horses in training and competition.
On the front cover (clockwise from left): Aerial view of RDS grounds; Edward T Hanbidge (Winner of 2022 RDS Sustainable Farming Award); former President Mary Robinson (guest speaker at RDS Vision 2030 series); Aidan Chan (Winner of 2023 RDS Music Bursary); and After Francis Bacon’s “Three Studies for a Self-portrait” by Eleanor
