RDS revenues jump 12% to €10.7m

REVENUES at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) increased by 12% to €10.7 million last year, the society said yesterday.

The society had an operating surplus of €1.3 million, although this was largely eaten up by a once-off €733,000 bill relating to a planning application to develop its Ballsbridge site in the south of the city.

The RDS hosted 59 exhibitions and five major conferences during the year. It was also a host venue for a number of last year’s Special Olympics World Games events and was the designated site for the Olympic village. The society spent €1.2m during the year on developing its facilities, which include the Simmonscourt pavilion that plays host to events like Funderland. The RDS also hosts the Dublin Horse Show and high-profile exhibitions such as the Young Scientists showcase.