M i n E Rva
Welcome to the april Minerva M 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
Design and Production
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Front cover: Diptych by alan Meredith
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
it is apparent to all that we are living through a time of great flux change is all around us, and is happening at a great pace here in the RdS we aim to be part of positive change in the areas in which we work. We are also helping others to prepare for it. in this issue you can read more about the changes that will affect us all when the general data Protection Regulation (gdPR) is implemented this May helen dixon, data 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 change is also coming to the area of craft in anticipation of this important anniversary year for the RdS craft awards a review has taken place of the awards, with significant restructuring to make them even more impactful and influential these changes will also deepen our relationship with the design & 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
spring heralds preparation for the dublin horse Show, which will continue to be the most important calendar event for the irish sport horse industry thanks to the commitment of RdS Members, volunteers and staff. i hope to see many of you there or at other RdS events in the weeks ahead
Bernie Brennan rDS PreSiDent
aPriL 2018
lady lyster exposed!
no doubt Members will be delighted to see James nor thcote’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 suppor t, 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 ar ts, even offering his private collection to establish a national gallery of british ar t it appears that he was equally passionate about Miss St clare, commissioning no less than 14 por traits 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 por traits 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!
What’s for lunch?
gardening, genealogy, art collecting, personal styling: what do they have in common? very little actually, except that they have all been topics in the extremely popular lunch & learn series for RdS Members the series was only initiated this time last year but has quickly become a staple in the RdS calendar although to date there has been a theme of practical application
in many of the talks, giving attendees knowledge that they can take away and use themselves, the only real stipulation is that the talk must be interesting and the speaker engaging Practical application is not a requirement, something that Members should bear in mind when thinking about potential speakers for the series later this year.
having completed nine such
RESTORED TO GLORY
talks already, and with another two to come before the summer, we are asking Members to provide suggestions for lunch & learn topics for the latter part of 2018 and into 2019 as indicated, topics can cover almost anything, although those with a practical element would be slightly preferred it would also be best to avoid topics that have already been covered, such as those mentioned above, and also
nutrition, interior design, and historic houses, as talks on these areas have already taken place or are scheduled to be covered in the coming weeks if you have any topics or specific speakers that you think would work in a lunchtime slot, please get in touch with catherine Jordan, Membership development Manager on catherine@rds.ie or 01-240 7296.
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
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 aid them in their transition from student to professional artist the works for sale are part of a larger private art collection, and have now been donated to the RdS. the RdS visual art awards provide a platform for graduating
artists as they progress from education into early professional career they do this through the fantastic exhibition of some of ireland’s best visual art graduates each october and offering a prize fund of €30,000, including the
€10,000 RdS taylor art award
Public viewing of the collection takes place over the weekend of May 26-27 in the RdS Members who would like to attend the private viewing on friday, May 25, are asked to contact Eamonn
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 awards, which take place this october the Royal hibernian academy (Rha) and the RdS have partnered for the first time for the Rha graduate Studio award, valued at €7,500. the winner of this award will have 24-hour, full-time access to a studio space (inclusive of utilities), for one year in Ely Place, dublin 2 a third cash prize of €2,500 has been added to the awards this cash prize is in addition to the two existing cash prizes, the RdS taylor art award (€10,000) and the R c lewiscrosby award (€5,000), and contributes to a total prize fund of €30,000 for 2018
as well as sharing a similarly lengthy history, the RdS and the Rha share very similar goals and objectives, making this new partnership appropriate for both parties. in addition to the studio space, the winner
carroll, Membership Relationship Manager, by email at eamonn@rds ie or on 01-240 7297
See www.rds.ie/visualart for more information on the RdS visual art awards.
of the Rha graduate Studio award will also have free access to all Rha School classes and masterclasses for the duration of the year applicants for the award will be asked to state on their application form how the studio award would assist them with their creative practice and include an outline of their plans for the year the winner will be selected by the Rha School Principal, in consultation with the Rha director and Senior curator, from those artists in the 2018 RdS visual art awards Exhibition who apply for the studio award their decision will be based on the quality of the work as well as the written statement on completion, the RdS will ask the successful recipient to complete a report on how the studio award assisted them with their practice for more information on the RdS visual art awards, please contact art@rds.ie or 01-240 7242.
THE CAP COLLECTION Study: The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp after Rembrandt (1998), by Michael Cullen RHA (b 1949)
celebrating the very best in irish agriculture and forestry
in 2017 the RdS piloted a new awards programme that brought their livestock and forestry awards programmes together into one event: the RdS Spring agriculture and forestry awards building on a name from the past, but firmly focused on the future of the sector, the awards bring farmers and foresters together to promote the benefits of climate smart agriculture to both audiences, and to show how the success, and sustainability, of irish agriculture depends on both sectors working together in the future. With a prize fund of over €20,000, the awards are a celebration of the very best in irish agriculture and forestry. With a clear focus on greenhouse gas mitigation within the farm gate, a number of significant changes were introduced to the award categories this year
farm forestry
the new teagasc farm forestry award, which was presented to andrew o’carroll of co Kilkenny, aims to promote the positive contribution that forestry can bring to traditional farming practices, and also to increase the number of trees that are being planted to help minimise agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Suckler beef is the primary focus of andrew’s farm; however, in 2005 he decided to diversify approximately one-third of his farm into forestry andrew’s decision to plant forestry has helped to turn some of the poorer unproductive land on his farm into a source of income that is helping him to plan for the future development of his farm business in a more certain way
livestock in the livestock category it was decided to reduce the number of awards from 15 to nine with a greater emphasis placed on increased efficiency,
waste reduction and increased productivity through genetic improvement in addition to awards for the five main cattle breeds –friesian, limousin, angus, charolais, and hereford – which make up around 90% of the national herd, the RdS made four genetic index awards based on data from the irish cattle breeding federation (icbf) these are the only awards of their kind in the country new awards for the best dairy and beef herds draw attention to the carbon footprint of production and highlight those farmers who are at the forefront of the economic and environmental sustainability of irish agriculture.
brendan Meade’s Whiteleas farm herd was the winner of the inaugural RdS dairy herd award brendan’s farm on the Meath-dublin border is a model spring-calving system built on good breeding, high grass utilisation and a labour-conscious system brendan was an early adopter of the Ebi (Economic breeding index) as he saw that “it was the first time science was applied to breeding”
the icbf wants to see the improvements in productivity that it has helped to spearhead in the national dairy herd replicated in the beef sector. Richard fortune’s Knottown Salers herd is a great example of how scientifically proven best practice delivers for both the farmer, in terms of increased income, and the environment, through greater efficiency and reduced waste the 2018 RdS beef herd award was Richard’s second award from the RdS in recent years in 2013, he received the RdS Maternal index award for his phenomenal Salers cow Usance, who boasts a Maternal index of €367
the 2018 RdS Spring agriculture and forestry awards took place in the RdS concert hall on Wednesday, april 4, 2018. See the photo gallery for more images from the celebration.
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
Protec ting our dat a
as society moves increasingly into the digital sphere, data protection and privacy concerns are coming to the fore for these reasons, the European Union has agreed a far-reaching reform of data protection laws (the general data Protection Regulation; gdPR), which comes into force on May 25, 2018 data Protection commissioner helen dixon explains: “ the gdPR is a once-in-a-generation overhaul of Europe’s data protection laws that will strengthen the rights of individuals and create a regulatory environment fit for purpose in the digital age. the gdPR will bring new responsibilities to organisations that collect, process and store personal data, and tough new penalties for non-compliance the irish data Protection commission (dPc ireland) will be the regulatory body responsible for driving compliance and enforcing the new law in ireland”
Personal data is any data that can identify an individual, including names, contact details, health records, bank statements, or indeed new types of data emerging alongside new technologies, such as smartphone location data or an iP address. the gdPR retains all of the
helen dixon
helen dixon was appointed data Protection commissioner for ireland in September 2014 Previously irish Registrar of companies, helen has also held senior roles in the department of Jobs, Enterprise and innovation working on economic migration policy, and science, technology and innovation policy She spent the first ten years of her career in the it industry She holds postgraduate qualifications in European Economic and Public affairs, governance, computer Science, official Statistics for Policy Evaluation, and Judicial Skills and decision-making.
familiar principles of data protection with which people are already acquainted helen dixon highlights that it also “adds two new principles of general applicability of ‘data integrity’ and ‘accountability’, reinforced by a number of new responsibilities: “ this brings a set of clear, harmonised data protection rules that put the individual firmly in control it benefits businesses and promotes growth and innovation by providing a safe, legal basis for using data, boosting consumer confidence in the digital economy, and replacing 28 differing sets of EU laws with a single EU-wide regulation”. buy-in to the new Regulation is critical, but helen dixon says that irish businesses are generally on board and they see the value in it: “ the best results for data subjects are secured when organisations of all types deliver on their obligations to be fair and transparent in our experience, few organisations disagree with the fundamental principles of the data protection legislation Quite simply, they make sound business sense and boost consumer trust and engagement”
Preparing for the gdPR
So how can businesses prepare for the gdPR? it might seem like an intimidating task, but helen dixon sets out some basic principles that businesses should follow: “ the foundation underpinning any preparations should be an awareness and examination of what data you hold can you identify all of the data that you hold? for what purpose do you hold that data? What is your legal basis for processing? What measures do you take to secure it? Keeping these records is both a requirement of the gdPR and an essential first step in preparing for compliance”.
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 enforcement, given its new powers under the gdPR, but individuals will also be able to go to court to claim compensation where they suffer damage as a result of a contravention by any organisation”.
Resources
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’ rights the gdPR is designed to facilitate this shift in our society, and provide a safe environment for the use of personal data”
further information
dPc ireland established a dedicated gdPR awareness and training Unit in 2017, and central to this is a gdPR micro-site, www gdPRandyou ie, which serves as a central hub for published guidance and a starting point for organisations seeking assistance with gdPR preparations. you can also go to www.dataprotection.ie, and follow dPc ireland on twitter @dPcireland.
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?
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?
Risk-based approach
When looking at risk for your organisation, it is useful to look at the risks or tangible harms to individuals that your organisation needs to safeguard against these include processing that could give rise to:
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.
Gap analysis
organisations should also undertake a gap analysis in terms of any processes they need to modify before the gdPR; for example, do you need to initiate a new consent moment that meets the gdPR standard? the gap analysis should also identify if an organisation has legacy datasets they didn’t know they had, which will then provide an opportunity to make decisions about deleting data where no purpose for retention can be identified.
crafting change
restructuring of the rDS craft awards will see the rDS increase its craft prize fund to €60,000 this year.
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
it has been 50 years since the RdS craft awards first began, and since then they have contributed significantly to the development and growth of the craft sector in ireland in this anniversary year significant changes are being made to the awards to ensure their relevance to the craft sector and alignment with the goals of the RdS. the awards will now constitute five €10,000 bursaries for emerging craft makers, and a new €10,000 bursary for an established maker; this established maker bursary will be managed by the design & crafts council of ireland (dccoi) and sponsored by the RdS
With these changes the new RdS craft awards will be more aligned with the RdS arts Work Programme and its goal of supporting artists making the transition from emerging to professional practice at €60,000, the RdS will double its annual direct investment in the irish craft sector and have an important effect on the professional careers of five promising craft makers each 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 progression of their skills and body of work the five €10,000 bursaries are for the development of business and craft skills for those pursuing a professional career in the sector, and can be spent by the maker on further education and training, research, development of new work, mentoring, purchase of equipment, studio improvements, website and residencies a panel of five professionals from the sector will judge these emerging makers, review the applications from eligible candidates and shortlist candidates to attend interviews in the RdS in May, where examples of their work will also be shown to the panel. the highly accomplished 2018 panel comprises: Róisín de buitléar, glass artist (chair); annie Warburton, creative director, crafts council UK; Joe hogan, basketmaker; John tynan, head of Education, training & development, design & crafts council of ireland; and, Siobhán Riordan, Managing director, alan ardiff Jewellery following the judging process in May, the awards will be presented at an event in the RdS in late June 2018 RdS craft awards winners will also have the opportunity to show their work to the public on a free stand (valued at €2,000) at gifted – the contemporary craft & design fair, which is held in the RdS every december.
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 f irst place (woodturning) at the RDS Craft Awards 2017
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 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 cultural and economic development of ireland in the areas of agriculture, the arts, equestrianism, enterprise, science and technology having a greater impact in the varied sectors that we work in was the impetus for the first RdS foundation development Plan 2013-2017 this Plan has been implemented over the last five years and has now been followed by a second foundation development Plan 2018-2022, which sets out to replicate and exceed the success of the first by having even greater impact.
the strategic focus of the RdS work programme has been rearticulated:
“ the RdS continues to inspire future generations to fulfil their potential in a rapidly changing environment, by providing practical support and by stimulating new ideas for a changing world”
this re-articulation accommodates the increasing pace of change within society, and specifies the RdS focus on practical support and stimulating new ideas
contained within this second foundation development Plan is a proposal to look at the longer-term role of the RdS. Effecting long-term
SongbiRdS
The RDS Music Bursary has become one of the most signif icant prizes in Europe for emerging classical music performers Pictured here are 2016 recipient Aoife Gibney, soprano (left), with 2017 recipient, soprano Sarah Brady
food SciEncE
change has been at the heart of RdS endeavours over generations
While the emphasis in our recent work programme has been on more immediate returns, albeit with potentially long-term impacts, it is intended to formulate a 20-year plan for the RdS work programme, the first time that this has been done one of the traditions of the Society has been a platform for information dissemination, but public discourse is now saturated with information in ways that were previously inconceivable, paradoxically leaving veracity and objectivity harder to
find could there be more of a policy-shaping role for the RdS in this context? one that examines the long-term trends for irish society and asks how all citizens can best prepare themselves for rapid and inevitable change? these questions, and many more, will be explored under the second foundation development Plan the first foundation development Plan has proven itself a vital tool in successfully achieving the Society’s goals during the past five years, and the second Plan will no doubt play a crucial role over the next five.
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
aRt WinnERS
2017 RDS Taylor Art Award winner Kevin O’Kelly with 2017 R C LewisCrosby Award winner Elaine Hoey
Members on the move
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
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
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
MAY
APRIL
1 – 30/06 rDS Jazz Singers – Library – 7 00pm audition and join the RdS Jazz Singers for regular practices and performances
12 irish Heritage London opera Gala Showcase: a night at the opera – St John’s, Smith Square, London – 7.30pm this concert features a performance by 2017 RdS Music bursary winner, soprano Sarah brady, performing with soprano ailish tynan, tenor owen gilhooly, and baritone Seán boylan
16 Lunch & Learn: Lissadell: a Passionate Journey – members’ club – 12 30pm constance cassidy Sc, owner of lissadell house, will bring you through her journey with lissadell €25 Members/€30 non Members (including lunch and tour)
24 rDS economic Vision 2020: Helen Dixon – concert Hall – 7.00am helen dixon, data Protection commissioner for ireland: The General Data Protection Regulation – Challenges and Opportunities bookings close on friday, april 20
25 rDS Library Speaker Series – Library – 6 30pm valerie Packenham: The Real Maria: Reading and selecting from Maria Edgeworth’s original letters, 1782-1849
26 all things Green in royal meath – 9.00am Join RdS Members on a visit to Sonairte Eco-centre and gardens near laytown, and other gardens of interest by the boyne €72 Members/€76 non-Members (includes coach transport, entrance and lunch)
26 rDS rising Stars concert featuring cit cork School of music –concert Hall – 7 o0pm Programmed by cit cork School of Music, this fantastic event will feature some of its best students and recent graduates admission is free but booking is essential visit www rds ie/risingstars for details
members’ evening dining
Members’ dining takes place in the Members’ club, with orders taken between 6 30pm and 8 15pm Enjoy fine dining in elegant surroundings with the added benefit of convenient parking Members are reminded that the dress code in the Members’ club area is smart casual and that dress must be neat and tidy at all times
2 ian Fox 2018 Spring Series of Lectures – members' club – 12.00pm
9 rDS entrepreneurs' club: meeting 6 – Library – 6 00pm the RdS provides a space where emerging entrepreneurs can connect with established business professionals in order to share ideas, and exchange expertise, to help irish start-up businesses succeed bookings for this event close on Monday, May 7
Lunch & Learn: the Women Behind WB Yeats – members' club – 12.30pm
Siobhan campbell, art historian, tells the story of how yeats’ sisters lily and lolly yeats, established the cuala industries and Press against all odds €25 Members/ €30 non-Members
25 Private members’ viewing of the caP art Dublin collection this collection will be auctioned on May 28 to raise funds for the development of the RdS visual art awards further information from Eamonn carroll, eamonn@rds.ie or 01-240 729
JUNE
1 – 3 members' trip to the Blackwater Valley opera Festival 2018 Enjoy brilliant music in splendid surrounds this summer with a trip to the newly renamed blackwater valley opera festival (formerly the lismore opera festival)
6 – 7
rDS Primary Science Fair 2018 Belfast – Belfast Waterfront –10.00am-3.00pm the RdS Primary Science fair belfast showcases Key Stage 2 and 4th-6th class primary school science-themed projects
14 – 16/8 50 Years of the rDS craft awards – Library – 10 00am the first RdS craft awards took place in 1968, and this exhibition will illustrate the development of the RdS craft awards over a 50-year period
– 12 rDS Dublin Horse Show
Members have access (with a valid RdS Membership card) through the Members’ club and the belvedere gate
Make the most of your library
With its lending service, hot desks, lectures and exhibitions, the rDS Library is an invaluable resource
for members.
PlacE of EnlightEnMEnt
the RdS library has been highly regarded for its collections for three centuries
the RdS is a Society that was founded upon the rational ideals of the Enlightenment best practice, new ideas and irish potential have been encouraged and supported by the RdS in the sciences, the arts and agriculture since the 18th century dissemination of knowledge was always an important part of this mix and the RdS library has been highly regarded for its collection for the last three centuries
library & archives
as a Member of the RdS you have exclusive access to the RdS library & archives, providing you not only with a lending service, but with a quiet place to think and study the RdS library contains over 100,000 volumes 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
Speaker Series
today, despite the unprecedented availability of information, true knowledge can often be hard to find as well as being a means of introducing the RdS to prospective Members, the RdS library Speaker Series encourages discussion across the humanities and sciences, and gives an important platform to experts to disseminate their hard-earned expertise. it harks back to the very earliest ideas of the Society and is a
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.
complimentary Wifi is provided in the RdS library and although communication should be silent in the library itself, calls can be taken in the corridor outside
the RdS library is constantly adding to its collection of business-themed books and if the book you are looking for is unavailable, RdS library staff will be happy to find it for you
two computer terminals, along with printing and photocopying facilities, are also available for use in the RdS library
RdS library & archives online catalogue
Registered RdS library Members can use a range of features, including online renewal of books, making purchase suggestions and creating tag clouds and lists by visiting www rds ie/library
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
to avail of these online services as RdS Members, please contact the RdS library desk to set up your username and password at 01-240 7254/286, or librarydesk@rds ie
the library desk is open Monday, tuesday and friday from 10.00am to 5.00pm, and Wednesday and thursday from 10.00am to 6.00pm.
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
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’ ticket line on 01-240 7967. tickets are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
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).
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 maximum of three guests per Member can be signed in (only one on friday).
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).
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!