Introduction: A Brief History of the RDS and Irish Agriculture
From its foundation in 1731, the RDS has been dedicated to the advancement of Irish agriculture and equestrianism. This support has manifested itself in various forms over the past 290 years and, currently finds expression through the RDS Agriculture and Equestrian Foundation work programme.
During the 18th century the RDS sought to communicate the ideas of the European agricultural revolution to landowners, tenant farmers and the general public through its publications and travelling lectures, and curated displays of the latest agricultural tools and equipment. It also supported Irish agriculture directly by distributing Government grants and subsidies and through its own ‘premium’ scheme which awarded money for projects related to its foundation aims. Between 1740 and 1810 RDS premiums funded a variety of projects including land reclamation, crop production and the planting of over 50 million trees across the country.
By the 19th century the RDS was focusing its attention on the development and support of local farming societies and the formation of the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland with whom they merged in 1880. It also commissioned and published the Statistical Surveys of Ireland and, continued to experiment with new crop types, including blight resistant potatoes, at its Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin.
However, the RDS is probably best known for the agricultural shows that it established during this period. The Spring Show (1831) National Horse Show (1864) and Winter Show (1856) were initially held in the grounds of Leinster House. Eventually they outgrew their surroundings and in the late 1870s the RDS acquired land from the Earl of Pembroke at Ballsbridge.
With this extra space the Society were able to expand their agricultural show program and develop their showgrounds to accommodate more classes and exhibitors and larger audiences.
