Minerva April 2018

i S S U E n o. 4 0 / a P R i l 2 0 1 8

MinERva foR MEMbERS of thE RdS

REcRafting iREland Restructuring the RdS craft awards

EditoRial

MinERva Welcome to the april Minerva

editor

diarmuid hanifin

contributors Susan cox

Paul farrelly

it is apparent to all that we are living through a

spring heralds preparation for the dublin

time of great flux. change is all around us, and

horse Show, which will continue to be the

is happening at a great pace. here in the RdS

most important calendar event for the irish sport horse industry thanks to the commitment of RdS Members, volunteers and

ann-Marie hardiman

colm Quinn

we aim to be part of positive change in the

catherine Jordan

natasha Serne

areas in which we work. We are also helping

dara o’leary

gerard Whelan

others to prepare for it.

staff. i hope to see many of you there or at

in this issue you can read more about the

other RdS events in the weeks ahead.

changes that will affect us all when the general data Protection Regulation (gdPR) is implemented this May. helen dixon, data Design and Production Sub-editing and layout

think Media ltd. t: 01 856 1166 www.thinkmedia.ie

Print distribution

impress Printing Sooner than later

Protection commissioner for ireland, will address the many ramifications for businesses of all hues, as well as for individuals, as part of the RdS Economic vision 2020 Series next month, and speaks to Minerva in advance of this.

Royal dUblin SociEty

change is also coming to the area of craft. in

ballsbridge, dublin 4.

anticipation of this important anniversary year

t: 01 668 0866 f: 01 660 4014

for the RdS craft awards a review has taken

www.rds.ie

place of the awards, with significant chy no.:

restructuring to make them even more

1325

impactful and influential. these changes will general:

info@rds.ie

RdS Membership:

members@rds.ie

also deepen our relationship with the design &

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.

crafts council of ireland. again you can read about these changes in this issue. an exceptionally busy summer for our commercial operations awaits, but as ever

Bernie Brennan rDS PreSiDent aPriL 2018

Front cover: Diptych by alan Meredith.

Contents

10

Feature new RdS foundation development Plan

3 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

(01) 240 7289

science@rds.ie

Science & technology

events Lady Lyster

12

members' gallery new Members, music and agriculture

RdS lunch & learn RdS Spring agriculture and forestry awards

6

14

calendar of members' events

15

rDS Library

interview data Protection commissioner helen dixon

Make the most of your library

8

Feature 50 years of the RdS craft awards

16

Dublin Horse Show time to get ready for the 2018 dublin horse Show

2 | MinERva | aPRil 2018

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lady lyster exposed! no doubt Members will be delighted to see James northcote’s The Lady of Sir John Lyster and her long-eared mount clopping about the thomas Prior Room once again, quite as if nothing had happened. au contraire! treatment under the RdS conservation fellowship at the national gallery of ireland has greatly improved her breezy disposition. and indeed, treatment was needed; hidden behind the frame, the canvas had slipped from its support, old repairs were bulging, and whites were not quite white. is she the rightful lady lyster, however? Research has turned up an interesting discovery. the model is not, in fact, the wife of Sir John fleming leicester, but his mistress, Miss Emily St clare. oh, how delicious! a drawing room scandal! leicester was a passionate patron of the arts, even offering his private collection to establish a national gallery of british art. it appears that he was equally passionate about Miss St clare, commissioning no less than 14 portraits of his rosy-cheeked muse – entre nous, some of them nudes. as for the lovely and lively Miss St clare herself – sadly, little is remembered. Rumoured to have been an actress, she and her portraits were de-installed from leicester’s demesne when georgiana, beauty and granddaughter of architect Sir William chambers, became the legitimate lady lyster by marriage. next up under our conservator’s scalpel is Salomon Koninck’s St Mark. given Miss St clare’s transformation – in more ways than one – we anticipate first-rate results. Perhaps we may even get to the bottom of the St Mark versus St Jerome quarrel!

RESTORED TO GLORY Pearl O’Sullivan, Paintings Conservator, National Gallery of Ireland, worked on the restoration of James Northcote’s The Lady of Sir John Lyster for the RDS.

What’s for lunch? gardening, genealogy, art

in many of the talks, giving

talks already, and with another

nutrition, interior design, and

collecting, personal styling: what

attendees knowledge that they

two to come before the summer,

historic houses, as talks on these

do they have in common? very

can take away and use

we are asking Members to

areas have already taken place

little actually, except that they

themselves, the only real

provide suggestions for lunch &

or are scheduled to be covered

have all been topics in the

stipulation is that the talk must

learn topics for the latter part of

in the coming weeks.

extremely popular lunch &

be interesting and the speaker

2018 and into 2019. as indicated,

if you have any topics or specific

learn series for RdS Members.

engaging. Practical application is

topics can cover almost

speakers that you think would

the series was only initiated this

not a requirement, something

anything, although those with a

work in a lunchtime slot,

time last year but has quickly

that Members should bear in

practical element would be

please get in touch with

become a staple in the RdS

mind when thinking about

slightly preferred. it would also

catherine Jordan,

calendar.

potential speakers for the series

be best to avoid topics that have

Membership development

although to date there has been

later this year.

already been covered, such as

Manager on catherine@rds.ie

a theme of practical application

having completed nine such

those mentioned above, and also

or 01-240 7296.

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fine art auction an auction of fine art will be held this May to raise funds for the development of the RdS visual art awards. the caP art dublin collection, generously donated to the RdS by tony and linda Pilaro, will be sold as part of Whyte’s important irish art auction on Monday, May 28, at 6.00pm. this will be preceded by a private reception and viewing of the collection with the Whyte’s team of experts for RdS Members and guests on friday, May 25. tony and linda Pilaro began the caP foundation award in 1998. operating annually for ten years, the award was given to two graduating students of ncad to

THE CAP COLLECTION Study: The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp after Rembrandt (1998), by Michael Cullen RHA (b. 1949).

aid them in their transition from

artists as they progress from

€10,000 RdS taylor art award.

carroll, Membership Relationship

student to professional artist. the

education into early professional

Public viewing of the collection

Manager, by email at

works for sale are part of a larger

career. they do this through the

takes place over the weekend of

eamonn@rds.ie or on

private art collection, and have

fantastic exhibition of some of

May 26-27 in the RdS. Members

01-240 7297.

now been donated to the RdS.

ireland’s best visual art graduates

who would like to attend the

See www.rds.ie/visualart for

the RdS visual art awards

each october and offering a prize

private viewing on friday, May 25,

more information on the RdS

provide a platform for graduating

fund of €30,000, including the

are asked to contact Eamonn

visual art awards.

additional €10,000 in prizes for 2018 RdS visual art awards Prizes valued at €10,000 will be added to the 2018 RdS visual art

of the Rha graduate Studio award will also have free access to all Rha

awards, which take place this october. the Royal hibernian academy

School classes and masterclasses for the duration of the year. applicants

(Rha) and the RdS have partnered for the first time for the Rha

for the award will be asked to state on their application form how the

graduate Studio award, valued at €7,500. the winner of this award will

studio award would assist them with their creative practice and include

have 24-hour, full-time access to a studio space (inclusive of utilities), for

an outline of their plans for the year. the winner will be selected by the

one year in Ely Place, dublin 2. a third cash prize of €2,500 has been

Rha School Principal, in consultation with the Rha director and Senior

added to the awards. this cash prize is in addition to the two existing

curator, from those artists in the 2018 RdS visual art awards Exhibition

cash prizes, the RdS taylor art award (€10,000) and the R.c. lewis-

who apply for the studio award. their decision will be based on the

crosby award (€5,000), and contributes to a total prize fund of €30,000

quality of the work as well as the written statement. on completion, the

for 2018.

RdS will ask the successful recipient to complete a report on how the

as well as sharing a similarly lengthy history, the RdS and the Rha share

studio award assisted them with their practice.

very similar goals and objectives, making this new partnership

for more information on the RdS visual art awards, please contact

appropriate for both parties. in addition to the studio space, the winner

art@rds.ie or 01-240 7242.

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celebrating the very best in irish agriculture and forestry

DAIRY WINNER Brendan Meade’s Whiteleas Farm Herd was the winner of the inaugural RDS Dairy Herd Award at the RDS Spring Agriculture and Forestry Awards 2018.

in 2017 the RdS piloted a new awards programme that brought their

waste reduction and increased productivity through genetic

livestock and forestry awards programmes together into one event: the

improvement. in addition to awards for the five main cattle breeds –

RdS Spring agriculture and forestry awards.

friesian, limousin, angus, charolais, and hereford – which make up

building on a name from the past, but firmly focused on the future of the

around 90% of the national herd, the RdS made four genetic index

sector, the awards bring farmers and foresters together to promote the

awards based on data from the irish cattle breeding federation (icbf).

benefits of climate smart agriculture to both audiences, and to show

these are the only awards of their kind in the country.

how the success, and sustainability, of irish agriculture depends on both

new awards for the best dairy and beef herds draw attention to the

sectors working together in the future. With a prize fund of over

carbon footprint of production and highlight those farmers who are at

€20,000, the awards are a celebration of the very best in irish

the forefront of the economic and environmental sustainability of irish

agriculture and forestry. With a clear focus on greenhouse gas mitigation

agriculture.

within the farm gate, a number of significant changes were introduced

brendan Meade’s Whiteleas farm herd was the winner of the inaugural

to the award categories this year.

RdS dairy herd award. brendan’s farm on the Meath-dublin border is a model spring-calving system built on good breeding, high grass

farm forestry

utilisation and a labour-conscious system. brendan was an early adopter

the new teagasc farm forestry award, which was presented to andrew

of the Ebi (Economic breeding index) as he saw that “it was the first

o’carroll of co. Kilkenny, aims to promote the positive contribution that

time science was applied to breeding”.

forestry can bring to traditional farming practices, and also to increase

the icbf wants to see the improvements in productivity that it has

the number of trees that are being planted to help minimise agricultural

helped to spearhead in the national dairy herd replicated in the beef

greenhouse gas emissions. Suckler beef is the primary focus of andrew’s

sector. Richard fortune’s Knottown Salers herd is a great example of

farm; however, in 2005 he decided to diversify approximately one-third

how scientifically proven best practice delivers for both the farmer, in

of his farm into forestry. andrew’s decision to plant forestry has helped

terms of increased income, and the environment, through greater

to turn some of the poorer unproductive land on his farm into a source

efficiency and reduced waste. the 2018 RdS beef herd award was

of income that is helping him to plan for the future development of his

Richard’s second award from the RdS in recent years. in 2013, he

farm business in a more certain way.

received the RdS Maternal index award for his phenomenal Salers cow Usance, who boasts a Maternal index of €367.

livestock

the 2018 RdS Spring agriculture and forestry awards took place in the

in the livestock category it was decided to reduce the number of awards

RdS concert hall on Wednesday, april 4, 2018. See the photo gallery for

from 15 to nine with a greater emphasis placed on increased efficiency,

more images from the celebration.

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intERviEW

Protecting our data ahead of her presentation as part of the rDS economic Vision 2020 series, Data Protection commissioner for ireland Helen Dixon discusses the General Data Protection regulation and its implications for irish businesses and individuals.

as society moves increasingly into the digital sphere, data protection

familiar principles of data protection with which people are already

and privacy concerns are coming to the fore. for these reasons, the

acquainted. helen dixon highlights that it also “adds two new

European Union has agreed a far-reaching reform of data protection

principles of general applicability of ‘data integrity’ and

laws (the general data Protection Regulation; gdPR), which comes

‘accountability’, reinforced by a number of new responsibilities: “this

into force on May 25, 2018. data Protection commissioner helen

brings a set of clear, harmonised data protection rules that put the

dixon explains: “the gdPR is a once-in-a-generation overhaul of

individual firmly in control. it benefits businesses and promotes

Europe’s data protection laws that will strengthen the rights of

growth and innovation by providing a safe, legal basis for using data,

individuals and create a regulatory environment fit for purpose in the

boosting consumer confidence in the digital economy, and replacing

digital age. the gdPR will bring new responsibilities to organisations

28 differing sets of EU laws with a single EU-wide regulation”.

that collect, process and store personal data, and tough new penalties

buy-in to the new Regulation is critical, but helen dixon says that irish

for non-compliance. the irish data Protection commission (dPc

businesses are generally on board and they see the value in it: “the

ireland) will be the regulatory body responsible for driving compliance

best results for data subjects are secured when organisations of all

and enforcing the new law in ireland”.

types deliver on their obligations to be fair and transparent. in our

Personal data is any data that can identify an individual, including

experience, few organisations disagree with the fundamental

names, contact details, health records, bank statements, or indeed

principles of the data protection legislation. Quite simply, they make

new types of data emerging alongside new technologies, such as

sound business sense and boost consumer trust and engagement”.

smartphone location data or an iP address. the gdPR retains all of the

Preparing for the gdPR helen dixon

So how can businesses prepare for the gdPR? it might seem like an

helen dixon was appointed data Protection commissioner for ireland in

intimidating task, but helen dixon sets out some basic principles that

September 2014. Previously irish Registrar of companies, helen has also

businesses should follow: “the foundation underpinning any

held senior roles in the department of Jobs, Enterprise and innovation

preparations should be an awareness and examination of what data

working on economic migration policy, and science, technology and

you hold. can you identify all of the data that you hold? for what

innovation policy. She spent the first ten years of her career in the it

purpose do you hold that data? What is your legal basis for

industry. She holds postgraduate qualifications in European Economic

processing? What measures do you take to secure it? Keeping these

and Public affairs, governance, computer Science, official Statistics for

records is both a requirement of the gdPR and an essential first step

Policy Evaluation, and Judicial Skills and decision-making.

in preparing for compliance”.

6 | MinERva | aPRil 2018

INTERVIEW fEatURE

Preparing for the gdPR: five key steps Senior management support Senior management support is critical in terms of ensuring buy-in to the gdPR. When setting up your project you should consider:

n what resources and budget you will need;

n how you are going to divide up your programme, e.g., by themes;

n who will own actions and how they will be tracked; and,

n how and when to update and leverage senior management.

Project management implementing the gdPR cannot simply be the work of the compliance or privacy officer but rather must be a full cross-business project plan with a cross-functional task force within the organisation to get all elements of gdPR readiness in place – legal, compliance, business units, it, and risk management.

Know yourself Know what data you have and where it is. Key considerations and questions to ask of your organisation should include:

n Who are your data subjects? it is important not to underestimate the importance of this Regulation, and the consequences of not taking data protection responsibilities seriously. dPc ireland will have considerable powers to deal with contraventions under the new Regulation, while at the same time individuals’ rights are also strengthened. helen dixon explains: “not only will the office be in a strong position of

n do you process sensitive personal data? n do you collect data about children?

n What grounds do you currently rely on to process personal data? n do you send data outside the European Economic area (EEa)? n do you have a breach notification process already?

n do you have a data protection officer (dPo) already?

enforcement, given its new powers under the gdPR, but individuals will also be able to go to court to claim compensation where they

Risk-based approach

suffer damage as a result of a contravention by any organisation”.

When looking at risk for your organisation, it is useful to look at the

Resources

safeguard against. these include processing that could give rise to:

risks or tangible harms to individuals that your organisation needs to dPc ireland welcomes the government’s continuing commitment to meeting its resourcing needs; funding has increased from €1.7m in 2013 to almost €11.7m in 2018. the increased budget has allowed dPc ireland to recruit extensively, adding specialist skills in the areas of communications, legal, multinational and technology, investigations and complaints. helen dixon concludes: “the digital economy is here to stay and data protection will become an ever more crucial element of how we safeguard individuals’

n discrimination;

n identity theft or fraud; n financial loss;

n damage to reputation;

n loss of confidentiality of personal data;

n unauthorised reversal of pseudonymisation; or,

n any other significant economic or social disadvantage.

rights. the gdPR is designed to facilitate this shift in our society, and provide a safe environment for the use of personal data”.

Gap analysis organisations should also undertake a gap analysis in terms of

further information

any processes they need to modify before the gdPR; for example,

dPc ireland established a dedicated gdPR awareness and training Unit in

do you need to initiate a new consent moment that meets the gdPR

2017, and central to this is a gdPR micro-site, www.gdPRandyou.ie, which

standard? the gap analysis should also identify if an organisation

serves as a central hub for published guidance and a starting point for

has legacy datasets they didn’t know they had, which will then

organisations seeking assistance with gdPR preparations. you can also go

provide an opportunity to make decisions about deleting data where

to www.dataprotection.ie, and follow dPc ireland on twitter @dPcireland.

no purpose for retention can be identified.

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fEatURE

crafting change restructuring of the rDS craft awards will see the rDS increase its craft prize fund to €60,000 this year.

Partnership the restructured awards will see the RdS partner with the dccoi’s ‘future Makers awards & Supports’, which provides financial support for students and emerging crafts and design practitioners – the same target group as the RdS craft awards. an emerging maker will have to have received a future Makers award or Support in the preceding year to apply for the RdS craft awards, providing makers with the opportunity to demonstrate the KNITWEAR Midnight Python Jumper by Pearl Reddington was shown in last year’s exhibition.

Pearl is eligible for this year’s Awards, as she won a Futuremaker award in 2017.

for the development of business and craft skills for those pursuing a

it has been 50 years since the RdS craft awards first began, and since

education and training, research, development of new work, mentoring,

then they have contributed significantly to the development and growth

purchase of equipment, studio improvements, website and residencies.

progression of their skills and body of work. the five €10,000 bursaries are professional career in the sector, and can be spent by the maker on further

of the craft sector in ireland. in this anniversary year significant changes

a panel of five professionals from the sector will judge these emerging

are being made to the awards to ensure their relevance to the craft

makers, review the applications from eligible candidates and shortlist

sector and alignment with the goals of the RdS. the awards will now

candidates to attend interviews in the RdS in May, where examples of their

constitute five €10,000 bursaries for emerging craft makers, and a new

work will also be shown to the panel. the highly accomplished 2018 panel

€10,000 bursary for an established maker; this established maker

comprises: Róisín de buitléar, glass artist (chair); annie Warburton,

bursary will be managed by the design & crafts council of ireland

creative director, crafts council UK; Joe hogan, basketmaker; John tynan,

(dccoi) and sponsored by the RdS.

head of Education, training & development, design & crafts council of

With these changes the new RdS craft awards will be more aligned with

ireland; and, Siobhán Riordan, Managing director, alan ardiff Jewellery.

the RdS arts Work Programme and its goal of supporting artists making

following the judging process in May, the awards will be presented at an

the transition from emerging to professional practice. at €60,000, the

event in the RdS in late June 2018. RdS craft awards winners will also have

RdS will double its annual direct investment in the irish craft sector and

the opportunity to show their work to the public on a free stand (valued at

have an important effect on the professional careers of five promising

€2,000) at gifted – the contemporary craft & design fair, which is held in

craft makers each year.

the RdS every december.

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fEatURE

CERAMICS Entropy by Sophie Kate Curran was shown in last year’s exhibition. Kate is eligible for this year’s Awards, as she won a Futuremaker award in 2017.

the RdS craft awards 1968-2018 this summer, an exhibition will be curated and hosted by the RdS library & archives in celebration of 50 years of the RdS craft awards. this exhibition will draw extensively on the RdS craft archive housed in the RdS library & archives, and demonstrate how the awards first developed from longstanding RdS support of excellence in the applied arts to its position within the industry today as a standard bearer of excellence for emerging craft makers. going back further, the exhibition will also explore the role of the RdS in the promotion of craft in the decades prior to the awards, from 1731 up to 1968, the key people involved in conceiving the awards, and the people who made it all happen. the exhibition will also present the personal side of the awards, exploring the impact of winning on the lives and careers of craft makers through the years. this focus offers the opportunity to showcase selected winning pieces from the past 50 years framed in the context of the impact of the prize on the maker and their career in the intervening years. the exhibition will run in the RdS library & archives from thursday, June 14, to thursday, august 16. Please note that a charge will apply to non-RdS Members during the dublin horse Show (august 8-12).

WOODWORK Alan Meredith’s Diptych won first place (woodturning) at the RDS Craft Awards 2017.

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fEatURE

deep impact a new Foundation Development Plan will assist the rDS as it continues to achieve its goals.

Success inspired by Enlightenment ideas, the RdS was founded to have a positive impact on the economy and culture of ireland, helping the country to realise its potential. the first foundation development Plan sought to deepen the impact of the 21st century RdS by scaling up projects, increasing funding and ensuring greater relevance to our target audiences. and it worked.

Since the implementation of the Plan began five years ago, the RdS has seen an increase in recognition, acknowledgement and prominence in the sectors in which we work. the Society already had long associations and connections in these areas, but that has now been matched with greater relevance and influence. Much of this success is due to the focus on deepening the benefits of our work and the regular re-evaluation of projects during this five-year period, all of which the Plan introduced. in turn, strengthening the rigour of RdS projects made outside funders more disposed to consider RdS projects for their financial support, as well as garnering greater attention from sectoral stakeholders, including the media.

new Plan the RdS foundation board oversaw the development of the second foundation development Plan and will now monitor its implementation, reporting to the council of the RdS. according to Michael gleeson, chair of the foundation board: “from the outset of the Plan we focused on having a deeper and more meaningful impact across the work programme of the RdS. five years on, we can measure that success and see what we achieved during that time, which has put us in a really good SongbiRdS The RDS Music Bursary has become one of the most significant prizes in Europe for emerging classical music performers. Pictured here are 2016 recipient Aoife Gibney, soprano (left), with 2017 recipient, soprano Sarah Brady.

position for the next five years.

“We have included learnings from the first Plan and together with ambitious plans for project development, the second foundation development Plan will take us to 2022 in rude health”.

the RdS is driven to achieve its mission, which is the furtherance of the

the strategic focus of the RdS work programme has been rearticulated:

cultural and economic development of ireland in the areas of

“the RdS continues to inspire future generations to fulfil their potential

agriculture, the arts, equestrianism, enterprise, science and technology.

in a rapidly changing environment, by providing practical support and by

having a greater impact in the varied sectors that we work in was the

stimulating new ideas for a changing world”.

impetus for the first RdS foundation development Plan 2013-2017. this

this re-articulation accommodates the increasing pace of change within

Plan has been implemented over the last five years and has now been

society, and specifies the RdS focus on practical support and stimulating

followed by a second foundation development Plan 2018-2022, which

new ideas.

sets out to replicate and exceed the success of the first by having even

contained within this second foundation development Plan is a

greater impact.

proposal to look at the longer-term role of the RdS. Effecting long-term

10 | MinERva | aPRil 2018

fEatURE

aRt WinnERS 2017 RDS Taylor Art Award winner Kevin O’Kelly with 2017 R.C. LewisCrosby Award winner Elaine Hoey.

food SciEncE The RDS Primary Science Fair has expanded to three cities in recent years. Pictured are Lara Healy and twins David and Sophie Lynch from Scoil Naomh Muire, Farran, Co. Cork, with their project ‘Which fruits or vegetables make the best indicators of acids and bases?’ at the RDS Primary Science Fair Limerick 2018.

change has been at the heart of RdS endeavours over generations.

find. could there be more of a policy-shaping role for the RdS in this

While the emphasis in our recent work programme has been on more

context? one that examines the long-term trends for irish society and

immediate returns, albeit with potentially long-term impacts, it is

asks how all citizens can best prepare themselves for rapid and

intended to formulate a 20-year plan for the RdS work programme, the

inevitable change? these questions, and many more, will be explored

first time that this has been done. one of the traditions of the Society

under the second foundation development Plan.

has been a platform for information dissemination, but public discourse

the first foundation development Plan has proven itself a vital tool in

is now saturated with information in ways that were previously

successfully achieving the Society’s goals during the past five years, and

inconceivable, paradoxically leaving veracity and objectivity harder to

the second Plan will no doubt play a crucial role over the next five.

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MEMbERS' gallERy

Members on the move recent rDS events welcomed and entertained new members and music Bursary winners, and celebrated the best of irish farming and forestry.

WElcoMing nEW MEMbERS RdS Members Michael donohoe, Kristina odlum, Jenny donohoe and Philip odlum at the new Members’ Supper in March.

MUSIC WINNER RDS President Bernie Brennan and Chief Executive Michael Duffy with 2018 RDS Music Bursary winner, cellist Killian White.

12 | MinERva | aPRil 2018

ECONOMIC VISION FOR IRELAND Prof. Sean Barrett speaking at the Economic Vision 2020 Series on transport economies.

all that Jazz Members of the RdS Jazz Singers performing at the new Members’ Supper.

MEMbERS' gallERy

condUctoR duncan brickenden conducts the RdS Jazz Singers at the new Members’ Supper.

IRISH ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS Lucinda Kelly of Popertee, who was judged to have given the best pitch, with Pat Flood and John Whelan at a recent RDS Entrepreneurs Club.

WINNERS Pictured at the RDS Spring Awards 2018 were Micheál, Maria, Owen and Ann Hestor, winners of the RDS Limousin Champion of Champions Award.

MinERva | aPRil 2018 | 13

vv calEndaR of EvEntS oPEn to MEMbERS

Calendar APRIL

MAY 2

ian Fox 2018 Spring Series of Lectures – members' club – 12.00pm

9

rDS entrepreneurs' club: meeting 6 – Library – 6.00pm

1 – 30/06 rDS Jazz Singers – Library – 7.00pm audition and join the RdS Jazz Singers for regular practices and

the RdS provides a space where emerging entrepreneurs can

performances

connect with established business professionals in order to share 11

ian Fox 2018 Spring Series of Lectures – members’ club – 12.00pm

12

irish Heritage London opera Gala Showcase: a night at the

ideas, and exchange expertise, to help irish start-up businesses succeed. bookings for this event close on Monday, May 7

opera – St John’s, Smith Square, London – 7.30pm

21

Lunch & Learn: the Women Behind WB Yeats – members'

this concert features a performance by 2017 RdS Music bursary

club – 12.30pm

winner, soprano Sarah brady, performing with soprano ailish

Siobhan campbell, art historian, tells the story of how yeats’ sisters

tynan, tenor owen gilhooly, and baritone Seán boylan

lily and lolly yeats, established the cuala industries and Press against all odds. €25 Members/ €30 non-Members

16

Lunch & Learn: Lissadell: a Passionate Journey – members’ club – 12.30pm

25

24

Private members’ viewing of the caP art Dublin collection this collection will be auctioned on May 28 to raise funds for

constance cassidy Sc, owner of lissadell house, will bring you through her journey with lissadell. €25 Members/€30 non

the development of the RdS visual art awards. further

Members (including lunch and tour)

information from Eamonn carroll, eamonn@rds.ie or 01-240 729

JUNE

rDS economic Vision 2020: Helen Dixon – concert Hall – 7.00am helen dixon, data Protection commissioner for ireland: The

1–3

members' trip to the Blackwater Valley opera Festival 2018

General Data Protection Regulation – Challenges and Opportunities.

Enjoy brilliant music in splendid surrounds this summer with a trip

bookings close on friday, april 20.

to the newly renamed blackwater valley opera festival (formerly the lismore opera festival).

25

rDS Library Speaker Series – Library – 6.30pm valerie Packenham: The Real Maria: Reading and selecting from

6–7

Maria Edgeworth’s original letters, 1782-1849

rDS Primary Science Fair 2018 Belfast – Belfast Waterfront – 10.00am-3.00pm the RdS Primary Science fair belfast showcases Key Stage 2

26

all things Green in royal meath – 9.00am

and 4th-6th class primary school science-themed projects.

Join RdS Members on a visit to Sonairte Eco-centre and gardens near laytown, and other gardens of interest by the boyne.

14 – 16/8 50 Years of the rDS craft awards – Library – 10.00am

€72 Members/€76 non-Members (includes coach transport,

the first RdS craft awards took place in 1968, and this exhibition

entrance and lunch)

will illustrate the development of the RdS craft awards over a 50-year period

26

rDS rising Stars concert featuring cit cork School of music –

AUGUST

concert Hall – 7.o0pm Programmed by cit cork School of Music, this fantastic event

8 – 12

rDS Dublin Horse Show

will feature some of its best students and recent graduates.

Members have access (with a valid RdS

admission is free but booking is essential.

Membership card) through the Members’

visit www.rds.ie/risingstars for details

club and the belvedere gate

members’ evening dining

evening dining dates

Members’ dining takes place in the Members’ club, with orders taken

april

6

20

between 6.30pm and 8.15pm. Enjoy fine dining in elegant surroundings with

may

4

18

the added benefit of convenient parking. Members are reminded that the

June

1

5

dress code in the Members’ club area is smart casual and that dress must be

July

6

20

neat and tidy at all times.

august

10

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RdS libRaRy

Make the most of your library With its lending service, hot desks, lectures and exhibitions, the rDS Library is an invaluable resource for members. great antidote to the anti-Enlightenment ‘fake news’ culture and the undermining of expertise that is becoming more prevalent. in addition to the RdS library Speaker Series, there are also events throughout the year, including exhibitions and conferences that aim to highlight aspects of the RdS archival collections and promote historical research.

doing business in the library the RdS library provides ten hot desks with plug points for RdS Members, providing a peaceful place to conduct research, write papers or just take some time out of the office to think. RdS Members also use the hot desks to work before meeting clients in the Members’ club or one of the meeting rooms.

PlacE of EnlightEnMEnt the RdS library has been highly regarded for its collections for three centuries.

complimentary Wifi is provided in the RdS library and although

the RdS is a Society that was founded upon the rational ideals of the

the corridor outside.

communication should be silent in the library itself, calls can be taken in Enlightenment. best practice, new ideas and irish potential have been

the RdS library is constantly adding to its collection of business-themed

encouraged and supported by the RdS in the sciences, the arts and

books and if the book you are looking for is unavailable, RdS library staff

agriculture since the 18th century. dissemination of knowledge was always

will be happy to find it for you.

an important part of this mix and the RdS library has been highly regarded

two computer terminals, along with printing and photocopying facilities,

for its collection for the last three centuries.

are also available for use in the RdS library.

library & archives

RdS library & archives online catalogue

as a Member of the RdS you have exclusive access to the RdS library &

Registered RdS library Members can use a range of features, including

archives, providing you not only with a lending service, but with a quiet

online renewal of books, making purchase suggestions and creating tag

place to think and study. the RdS library contains over 100,000 volumes

clouds and lists by visiting www.rds.ie/library.

including over 4,000 relating to ireland, many of them old and rare. in addition, the RdS library holds the records of the Royal dublin Society since its foundation and is open to all researchers in the areas of irish social and cultural history. the RdS archival collections are open to researchers by appointment. the RdS librarians are a mine of information about the history of the RdS, the archival material and the collections, and are delighted to help with any enquiries.

RdS library online resources include:

n dictionary of irish biography (only searchable on public Pcs in the library);

n JStoR ireland collection (only searchable on public Pcs in the library); n RdS library online exhibitions;

n the RdS library and the national library of ireland: a Shared history; n RdS photos online; and, n RdS past Members.

Speaker Series today, despite the unprecedented availability of information, true

to avail of these online services as RdS Members, please contact the RdS

knowledge can often be hard to find. as well as being a means of

library desk to set up your username and password at 01-240 7254/286, or

introducing the RdS to prospective Members, the RdS library Speaker

librarydesk@rds.ie.

Series encourages discussion across the humanities and sciences, and gives an important platform to experts to disseminate their hard-earned

the library desk is open Monday, tuesday and friday from 10.00am to

expertise. it harks back to the very earliest ideas of the Society and is a

5.00pm, and Wednesday and thursday from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

MinERva | aPRil 2018 | 15

dUblin hoRSE ShoW

time to get horse Show ready the 2018 Dublin Horse Show is steadily appearing on the horizon, so get yourself ready with this handy checklist.

ANNUAL TREAT The 2018 Dublin Horse Show is a fabulous event for all the family, and RDS Members have complimentary access, so be sure to join us!

n this year’s longines fEi Jumping nations cuptM of ireland at the dublin horse Show takes place from august 8-12. n Members have complimentary access to the Show, but you must have your Membership card with 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 dublin horse Show with a valid RdS Membership card, entering through the Members’ club and the belvedere gate (the Membership card must be produced to gain entry).

Member and guest tickets can also be scanned at these entry points. n tickets for the Main arena may be booked via the RdS Members’

n a table d’hote menu is served in the dining Room on Wednesday, thursday and friday from 12.30pm-2.30pm (advance booking for the dining Room is essential; call 01-668 9244 to book a table). n afternoon tea is 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 (booking is essential). n the Members’ bar at the Main arena directly overlooks the course and is open from 11.00am each day until 30 minutes after the end of the final event. Membership cards are required for entry and a

ticket line on 01-240 7967. tickets are allocated on a first-come,

maximum of three guests per Member can be signed in (only one

first-served basis.

on friday).

n Members’ complimentary tickets for friday are always popular, so book well in advance. n the Members’ club is open from 9.00am-7.00pm each day, and until 6.00pm on Sunday. n a buffet is served each day in the thomas Prior Room from 12.00pm-3.00pm (no booking required).

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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 longines fEi Jumping nations cuptM of ireland at the dublin horse Show is a good opportunity for Members to use their food and beverage credit in the Members’ club (cut-off date for food and beverage credit is october 31).