The Spring Show
The establishment of the RDS Spring Show was among several measures introduced by the Society in response to the dissolution of the Farming Society of Ireland in 1827.
The Farming Society held shows at Ballinasloe and Smithfield Market, Dublin. The RDS Spring Show was modelled on these shows, and its primary purpose was to support Irish agriculture and livestock breeding.
The first RDS Spring Show was held in the grounds of Leinster House on April 26-28, 1831.
The Show included classes for cattle, sheep, agricultural horses and Spanish asses. There was also an exhibition of agricultural equipment and lectures on the application of science to agriculture. The Show was a resounding success and it continued to grow throughout the 19th century.
The Spring Show eventually outgrew its surroundings at Leinster House and in the late 1870s the RDS leased a parcel of lands from the Earl of Pembroke at Ballsbridge. They bought the site outright in 1890. This gave the Society the opportunity to expand its Spring Show and Horse Show and other agricultural show programs.
The last RDS Spring Show was held in 1992, bringing an end to a fixture of Irish agricultural life that had lasted for over 160 years.
The images on this page are of prize-winning entries to the RDS Spring Show classes for cattle and agricultural horses for the years 1899 and 1900.
Please click here for the RDS Spring Show catalogue of 1899 and here for the RDS Spring Show catalogue of 1900 to find out more about the owners and pedigrees of these animals.
RDS Spring Show prize-winners for the years 1899 and 1900
Caledon
Merchant of Venice
Dumbarton
All Ireland
Roundhead
Winnie II
Blanche of Hilltown
Jessie
Red Rose
Kilmorna
Kathleen
La Belle Charmante
Bondsman
Khedive
Khedive, 6 years old, Chestnut gelding ; 6 years old ; s. Egypt.
Entry number 1050 in Class 98 Ponies suitable for and likely to make Polo.
Owner Thomas Irvine Roack, Park View, Carlow.
Winner of First Prize £15 in Class 98 and Polo Pony Society's Gold Medal.
Duchess
Duchess, 7 year old.
Entry number 1011 in Class 97 - Made Polo Ponies, bay mare, 7 years old.
Owner F. P. Colgan, M.D., Greenville, Carlow.
Winner of First Prize in Class 97 and winner of the Polo Pony Society's Gold Medal.
Lady Calista
Lady Calista. Foaled 1896.
Entry 884, Class 77 Clydesdale Filly, foaled in 1896 or 1897.
Owners Lords A. and L. Cecil, Orchardmains, Tonbridge.—Lady Calista. Bay ; foaled 1896 ; bred by Exhibitors ; s. Exquisite (8,621) ; d. Edith Plantagenet (6,040) by Belted Knight (1,395); g. d. Lily of Whiteley (2,352) by Tops-man (886)
Winner of £8 First Prize.
Cynthia
Cynthia, foaled in 1888.
Entry 872, Class 74 Clydesdale Brood Mare, in Foal, or having produced a Foal in 1898 or 1899.
Owners Lords A. and L. Cecil, Orchardmains, Tonbridge.—Cynthia. (11,252). Bay; foaled in 1888; bred by Exhibitors ; s. Claymore (3,522) ; d. Darling (1,093) by Topsman (886) ; g. d. Jean (1,379) by Lord Clyde (475).
Winner of £10 First Prize.