The RDS Podcast

During the 18th century the RDS facilitated the planting of around 55 million trees in Ireland. The National Botanic Gardens, founded by the Society in 1795, experimented with different tree species into the 19th century and in 1988 they introduced the first forestry awards in Ireland. In this episode we join RDS Foundation Director, Niamh De Loughry, Head of RDS Library & Archives, Natasha Serne and Head of the RDS Forest and ...

From its involvement with the Irish linen industry in the 18th century, to the introduction of public exhibitions in the 19th and 20th centuries, to its continuing support of the sector today with the launch of the new RDS Craft Awards, the RDS has always played a pivotal role in the support of native craft and design.

Join RDS Foundation Director Niamh de Loughry, Head of Library & Archives, Natasha Serne and Research Ireland ...

In 2025 the RDS celebrates its 150th Dublin Horse Show. This iconic event has been a fixture in the Irish summer calendar for over a century and has influenced and shaped the horse breeding industry in Ireland from its earliest days at Leinster House to the present day at the RDS showgrounds in Ballsbridge. 

Join RDS Foundation Director Niamh de Loughry in conversation with RDS Deputy CEO-Finance and Horse Show Director Pat Hanly a...

From the establishment of its first laboratory in 1792 to the introduction of ESB Science Blast in 2019, the RDS has a long and illustrious history of engagement with science education in Ireland. 

During the 18th century the RDS disseminated new scientific ideas through its journal publications and introduced professorships in chemistry and physics. In the 19th century it played a pivotal role in the establishment of the National ...

The RDS Library & Archives is one of the oldest and largest independent Libraries in Ireland and has been a part of the Society from its Foundation in 1731. Its remit is to collect material related to the RDS  Foundation areas of areas of art, science, agriculture, enterprise and equestrianism, and to maintain its archives which offer a rich and unique resource for researchers and students of the social, economic and cultural h...

In 2024 the RDS celebrate the centenary of the transfer of their headquarters from Leinster House to Ballsbridge.

Founded as the Dublin Society in 1731 to promote agriculture, industry, art and science in Ireland the RDS had a presence in the centre of Dublin for almost 200 years.

In 1879, the Society leased a parcel of 15 acres of land from the Earl of Pembroke at Ballsbridge to hold their Spring Show and Horse Show. In 1923/24 th...

From the foundation of the National Botanic Gardens in 1795 to the introduction of ESB Science Blast in 2019, the RDS has a long and illustrious history in engagement with science in Ireland.

During the 18th and 19th centuries the RDS disseminated new scientific ideas through public lectures and journal publications, introduced professorships in chemistry and physics and established a laboratory at its premises on Hawkins Street th...

First held in 1864, the Dublin Horse Show is a celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse. From the best show horses to the best international show jumpers, it is one of Ireland's largest events, welcoming tens of thousands of people each year from Ireland and across the globe.

In Straight from the Horse’s Mouth: A Short History of the Dublin Horse Show, join RDS Foundation Director Niamh De Loughry and RDS Head of Library &a...

Episode from the Library Speaker Series

Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, presents a history of Óglaigh na hÉireann to commemorate and reflect on their one hundred years of service to the Irish State since the foundation of the National Army in 1922. He tells the fascinating story of their evolving role - from key safeguard of early Irish democracy following the Irish Civil War, to their re...

Episode from the Library Speaker Series

Recorded in the RDS Library as part of The Dublin Book Festival 2022, journalist, author, and broadcaster David McCullough interviews historian Michael B. Barry and photographer and colourist John O’Byrne, authors of The Irish Civil War in Colour. Barry and O’Byrne’s book brings one of the most defining events in Irish history to life for the first time in painstakingly hand-coloured photogra...

Episode from the Library Speaker Series

Recorded in the RDS Library as part of The Dublin Book Festival 2022, History Ireland editor Tommy Graham interviews Commandant Daniel Ayiotis, director of the Military Archives in Cathal Brugha Barracks, and Zoe Reid, keeper of public services and collections at the National Archives. In this interview, Graham asks Reid about her book concerning her curation of an exhibition about the Anglo-...

Episode from the Library Speaker Series

Dr Orla Fitzpatrick is the winner of the Royal Dublin Society Library & Archives Research Bursary 2021. Dr Orla Fitzpatrick is an academic, educator, researcher and writer who has published and presented internationally in the area of photographic history, design and material culture. She is also a museum professional and a librarian.

In this recording Dr Fitzpatrick presents her research abo...

Episode from the Vision 2030 Series

Series host, Sean O’Rourke, is joined by Simon McKeever, Chief Executive, Irish Exporters Association, Anne Randles, Corporate Affairs Director, Ornua, and John McGrane, Director General, British-Irish Chamber of Commerce, as they discuss the sustainability of Irish-International trade given the current economic, and long-term environmental challenges, we face.

Apologies for the audio quality fro...

Episode from the Vision 2030 Series

Series host, Sean O’Rourke, is joined by Dr Val Cummins, Operations and Projects Director, Simply Blue Energy Ireland, Dr Paul Deane, senior research fellow in clean energy futures at MaREI, UCC, and Paul Saunders, Senior Investment Director and head of Climate at ISIF (Ireland Strategic Investment Fund) as they discuss how Ireland can deliver on its huge renewable energy potential.

Episode rec...

Episode from the Vision 2030 Series

Series host, Sean O’Rourke, is joined by Professor Phillip Nolan, Director General, Science Foundation Ireland, Professor Orla Feely, Vice-President for Research, Innovation and Impact, UCD, and Dr John McKeon, Founder and CEO, Allergy Standards, as they discuss how Irish enterprise can maximise its research potential on path to carbon neutrality.

Episode recorded in the RDS with a live audienc...

Episode from the Vision 2030 Series

Series host, Sean O’Rourke, is joined by Cathy Bryce, Managing Director, AIB Capital Markets, Stephen Nolan, Managing Director, United Nations Development Programme - Financial Centres for Sustainability, and Emma Jane Joyce, Senior Business Manager – Sustainability, NTMA (National Treasury Management Agency), as they discuss this important topic and the opportunities it can provide for the Irish...