Ireland’s Largest Events Venue Location, Flexibility, Heritage THETHE RDS Contents Royal Dublin Society 3 The RDS Venue 4 Exhibitions 6 Conferences 8 Meeting Rooms and Private Dining 10 Banquets 12 Entertainment, Concerts and Sporting Events 14 Location, Accessibility and Wi-Fi 16 Other Events 18 500+ 10 12,000 2,500 1.5m 2,000 EVENTS PER YEAR MULTI-PURPOSE DELEGATE HOTEL BEDROOMS FOOTFALL CAR PARKING CONFERENCE AND CAPACITY NEARBY PER YEAR SPACES EXHIBITION HALLS Royal Dublin Society Founded in 1731, the Royal Dublin Society has been located in Ballsbridge since 1879. It is a non-profit body supported by commercial activities. The Society continues to fulfil its commitment to participate in the broad economic and cultural development of Ireland. Through a prudent programme of investment, the Society has expanded and improved its facilities, including the installation of a high density Wi-Fi network in all major halls and meeting rooms. Situated in the heart of Dublin, served by all major public transport systems and surrounded by top hotels, the RDS can cater for every event. The Society’s buildings have been a landmark in Dublin since the late 1800s. The RDS hosts: n International conferences n Exhibitions – public and trade The Society, uniquely, has 10 multi-purpose conference and exhibition halls, breakout rooms, an outdoor n Awards functions n Concerts stadium, several concert venues, meeting rooms, bars, restaurants, Wi-Fi throughout the venue and 2,000 n Sporting events n Press and product launches car parking spaces. The sheer size and scale of the RDS makes it extremely flexible and easy to tailor to n Annual general meetings n Meetings and training seminars individual client needs. n Private parties and weddings n Christmas and themed parties n Examinations and graduations n Television productions Additionally, each year over 80 different projects are undertaken and funded by the Society itself, covering the n Gala dinners and banquets Society’s Foundation activities of Agriculture, Arts, Industry and Science in Ireland. Location, Flexibility, Heritage THE RDS page 3 The RDS Venue The RDS is located right in the heart of Dublin city on a 42-acre site. The venue includes a range of halls and meeting rooms for events of all sizes as well as outdoor space. Our venue map (see opposite) shows the full expanse of our unrivalled facilities. For precise details and specifications of the main facilities within the RDS, please consult the venue capacity table. Contact us by phone on +353 (0)1 668 0866 or via email [email protected] to discuss your requirements with a member of the RDS commercial team. The RDS is nestled in an urban setting. The RDS can cater for any style of event. Glamour and practicality mix perfectly at the RDS. Location, Flexibility, Heritage page 4 THE RDS Location, Flexibility, Heritage THE RDS page 5 Exhibitions The largest and most prestigious exhibitions in Ireland have been held at the RDS for more than a hundred years. While a central and accessible location is a huge advantage for exhibition organisers, it is the flexibility of the exhibition set up that is the single biggest asset. With 10 multi-purpose exhibition halls ranging in size from 370 square metres to 10,500 square metres, exhibition organisers are assured of a configuration that will perfectly suit their needs. All the exhibition halls are situated on the ground floor which ensures easy access. For full details, please consult the RDS venue capacity table. What our clients say... “The BT Young Scientist Exhibition has been staged at the RDS for more than 40 years. The combination of flexible exhibition halls and willing co-operation of the RDS team, make the RDS a venue that I am happy to recommend to any exhibition or event organiser.“ The Web Summit. Mari Cahalane – Project Director, BT Young Scientist Exhibition Exhibition hall sizes at the RDS: Hall sizes Venue 370m2 Hall 6 (Clyde Room) 750m2 Concert Hall 1,100m2 Hall 3 (Serpentine Hall) 2,350m2 Hall 4 (Industries Hall) 3,580m2 Hall 1 (Main Hall) 10,500m2 Hall 8 (Simmonscourt) The Halls can be used in combination for big events. Exhibition in the Concert Hall. Location, Flexibility, Heritage page 6 THE RDS Interior design show in Hall 2 (Shelbourne Hall). The Minerva Suite is ideal for boutique-style exhibitions. Art exhibition in Hall 1 (Main Hall). Location, Flexibility, Heritage THE RDS page 7 Conferences The RDS is Ireland’s largest venue for conferences, offering a superb location and setting with magnificent heritage. Our expert staff provide critical support to conference organisers. They are specially skilled at demonstrating how different combinations of halls or rooms can facilitate just about any scale or format of conference. Flexibility is often the key to the success of a major event. For example, many of the halls are adjoining and have nearby meeting rooms to facilitate varying breakout session requirements. Hall 1 (Main Hall) accommodates up to 4,500 delegates in theatre style while the Concert Hall, with retractable tiered seating, provides a superb conference venue for up to 1,000 delegates. Hall 8 (Simmonscourt) has capacity for up to 6,500 delegates, while the Minerva Suite is perfect for a small event for up to 120 delegates. What our clients say... “The 19th OSCE Ministerial Council was the largest event of this kind ever undertaken by the Department and the co-operation offered by the RDS team could not have been at a higher level. Given the complexity of the event, the requests for changes to be made were many and varied, yet the response was always fast and positive. The professionalism and attention to detail shown by your colleagues was second to none.” Frank Cogan – Head of OSCE Taskforce The flexibility of the RDS is reflected in this table of sample capacities: Conference Size Recommended Venue Up to 6,500 Hall 8 (Simmonscourt) Up to 4,500 Hall 1 (Main Hall) Up to 3,000 Hall 2 (Shelbourne Hall) Up to 1,000 Hall 3 (Serpentine Hall) From 200 to 1,000 Concert Hall Up to 120 Minerva Suite The Concert Hall accommodates up to 1,000 delegates (view from the stage). Location, Flexibility, Heritage page 8 THE RDS International events such as the EuroElectric Conference regularly come to the RDS. Hall 8 (Simmonscourt) set up for a conference. Hall 1 in use as a workshop. Location, Flexibility, Heritage THE RDS page 9 Meeting Rooms and Private Dining It’s difficult to convey the sheer variety of meeting rooms available at the RDS. However, the primary rooms are the Minerva Suite, Merrion Room, President’s Room and the Dodder Suite. The Minerva Suite is ideal for any prestigious event and features polished wooden floors, chandeliers, marble sculptures and artwork. It has staged product launches, client receptions, seminars, training sessions, small exhibitions and comes with its own private bar, hallway, toilets, ante-room and boardroom. The Minerva Suite can cater for up to 120 in theatre style, 100 for dinner and 200 for a reception. The elegant Merrion Room is located front of house on the Merrion Road and has its own private bar. It can host meetings, wedding receptions, conferences, dinners, exams and product launches. A flexible space that can cater for up to 110 in theatre style, 100 for dinner, 60 for exams and 160 for a reception. The impressive President’s Room on the first floor of the Main Hall complex is imbued with the history of the RDS which is captured on a wall dedicated to the past presidents of the Society. It is ideal for meetings, seminars and private dining and can cater for 40 in theatre style, 50 for dinner or up to 60 for a reception. The Dodder Suite is a complex of five rooms, three of which overlook the Band Lawn and Ring 2. It is ideal for a range of uses from seminars and training meetings to hospitality at big events. What our clients say... “I have been using the RDS for many years for small meetings and private lunches. My guests and I greatly appreciate the quiet atmosphere along with the professional and efficient service shown to us by the RDS team.” Eddie Hobbs – Managing Director, Financial Development and Marketing Ltd; Author; TV Presenter Meeting room capacities at the RDS: Numbers Venue Up to 25 Dodder Suite C or E Up to 30 Dodder Suite D Up to 40 President’s Room Up to 100 Dodder Suite A Up to 110 Merrion Room or Dodder Suite B Up to 120 Minerva Suite Private dining at the RDS – gourmet cuisine in splendid surroundings. Location, Flexibility, Heritage page 10 THE RDS The Minerva Room set up for a formal dinner. Meeting rooms are available with a variety of capacities. Impressive private meeting and dining facilities at the RDS. The Members’ Conference Room is a beautiful setting. The President’s Room is perfect for meetings. Location, Flexibility, Heritage THE RDS page 11 Banquets The RDS is an exceptional venue to host a Gala Dinner in Dublin. Superb food and drink is assured by our top class caterers, while the total dining experience encompasses the elegant buildings and palpable sense of history. RDS Hospitality is our highly regarded, on-site single service catering provider. Their award-winning chefs apply their creativity and flair and source prime local produce, to create special menus for each event. Ease of access to the RDS and proximity to many hotels are two key reasons to choose the RDS as the venue for your big event. What our clients say... “We were delighted with the valuable and versatile service the RDS provided for our dinner awards ceremony.