RDS bosses looking to revamp Spring Show

PROPOSALS to revive the once-popular Spring Show in Dublin are under active consideration by the RDS.

RDS chief executive Michael Duffy said the organisation is examining the possibility of launching an annual event in the next few years similar to the Spring Show, which would hold appeal for rural and urban dwellers.

Speaking on the opening day of this year’s Dublin Horse Show in Ballsbridge, Mr Duffy said the RDS was looking at the establishment of a number of signature events as part of a review of its strategy.

“There is definite interest in developing an agriculture-based initiative,” said Mr Duffy.

However, he said any such event would not be a reintroduction of the Spring Show but “something more appropriate and relevant to today”.

The Dublin Spring Show was once one of the biggest events in the country, with thousands of farmers attending the week-long exhibition.

However, its fortunes waned in direct contrast with the growing popularity of the National Ploughing Championship in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Next year will mark the 30th anniversary since the last staging of the show.

“But it is something which I would love to see and there is great interest in developing it,” he added.

The RDS also reported that advance sales for the Dublin Horse Show were up 6% on last year, with hopes that total attendance for the event, which runs until Sunday, could top 100,000.

Mr Duffy said the show remained one of the big events in Dublin’s social calendar, contributing an estimated €43 million to the local economy.

He claimed the RDS was continuing to attract major conferences and events, despite the recent opening of the National Convention Centre and Aviva Stadium a short distance away.

“We’re staging two of the five biggest events in Ireland this year and we are also hosting the International Eucharistic Congress next year, which will be attended by over 20,000 delegates,” said Mr Duffy.

The RDS recorded a surplus of €1.3m last year from staging 800 events and hopes to achieve a similar result in 2011, said Mr Duffy.

Plans are also under way for an expansion of the RDS main arena, which is the home ground for Leinster’s rugby team, to increase its capacity from 18,500 to 23,000.

Mr Duffy also revealed that next year’s Dublin Horse Show will be staged at the slightly later dates of August 15-19 because of the Olympic Games in London.