The RDS, the venue for the Dublin Horse Show, founded as the Dublin Society has an interesting history.
Ahead of the 107th Dublin Horse Show at the RDS, Tom McGurk takes a look back at the history of the society.
The Dublin Society was founded at Trinity College Dublin in 1731, later becoming the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). Trinity College at the time was a university for the privileged. Fourteen men met in the Philosophical Rooms in TCD and formed the society. The meeting was chaired by Dr Stevens.
It was proposed and unanimously agreed on to form a society by the name of the Dublin Society for improving husbandry, manufactures and other useful arts.
On 8 July 1731, a further meeting was held, where it was agreed that the word, sciences, should be added after arts.
The motto of the RDS is Nostri Plena Laboris and translates from Latin as our work bears fruit.
The society was established as a philanthropic organisation dedicated to the improvement of agriculture, industry and manufacture, and the arts and sciences in Ireland.
The RDS has been located in Ballsbridge since 1924. Previously situated at Leinster House, it moved when that became the houses of the Irish parliament. Facilities at the RDS include a restaurant, a library and a concert hall. The Simmonscourt Pavilion is also under construction and will be used for concerts, exhibitions and sporting events.
Hosted at the RDS, the Dublin Horse Show is one of the most prestigious events in Ireland, which in 1973 attracted 140,000 visitors.
This episode of 'Last House' was broadcast on 31 July 1975. The presenter is Tom McGurk.
'Last House' was launched as a summer magazine programme featuring all the latest arts news in 1975. It was produced by John McColgan and presented by Tom McGurk and Áine O'Connor. It was so popular that it was converted into 'First House' for the autumn season, reverting to 'Last House' the following summer, when it was produced by Agnes Cogan.
