On August 2, 2018, the Post of Ireland issued four new stamps in honor of the Royal Dublin Society (RDS).

An Post today (Monday 6th August) launched a series of four €1 stamps to mark the wide variety of activities which take place in the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), contributing to life in Ireland for almost three centuries. Located in Ballsbridge, Dublin the RDS is known as a showgrounds, as an events venue, as a familiar Dublin landmark and home to Ireland’s Philanthropic Society.

The RDS was founded in 1731 in the Philosophical Rooms of Trinity College Dublin, to support Ireland to thrive economically and culturally. The Dublin Society, as it was first known, aimed to do this through promoting agriculture, arts, industry and science. Following a Charter received from King George II in 1750 and a royal visit by King George IV in 1820 the society became known as the Royal Dublin Society. Moving to larger premises in Leinster House between 1815 and 1924 allowed the RDS to further expand its not-for-profit interests.

The early work of the RDS is still in effect across cultural and scientific life in Ireland. In 1877 many RDS assets and collections were given to the State. The RDS Museum became the National Museum of Ireland while the RDS Library formed the foundation collections of the National Library. The RDS Drawing Schools in time led to the National College of Art and Design and the Botanical Gardens, which were started by the RDS, also became a national amenity.

The RDS moved to its current iconic building in Ballsbridge in 1924. With a much bigger footprint it became host to Spring Shows, Horse Shows, conferences and events. It is a now a centre for major concerts, exhibitions and is the home of Leinster Rugby. Through funding primarily from its commercial operations, the RDS continues to fulfil its not-for-profit work programme. The remit of philanthropic activity spans across science, the arts, agriculture, business and equestrianism.

The four new RDS stamps reflect this commitment, featuring a detail of the main entrance of the RDS showgrounds and three of the areas in which the RDS continues its philanthropic work through the year: show jumping, craft and science education.

Michael Duffy, CEO of the RDS, commented: “It is wonderful to be acknowledged in this way by An Post. It would be very hard to encapsulate the full scope of our philanthropic work today, or indeed the work of the RDS through many generations, but the stamps give a sense of the areas in which we give back to Ireland and we are delighted that they are released just as the 2018 Stena Line Dublin Horse Show gets underway – our best known not-for-profit event.”

Dublin Horse Show

A celebration of Ireland's affinity with the horse, from the best show horses to the best international show jumpers. It is one of Ireland's largest events, a highlight of the summer, each year welcoming tens of thousands of people from Ireland and all over the world.

The first Dublin Horse Show took place in 1864 and was operated in conjunction with the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland. The first solely Society-run Horse Show was held in 1868 and was one of the earliest "leaping" competitions ever held.[36] Over time it has become a high-profile International show jumping competition, national showing competition and major entertainment event in Ireland. In 1982 the RDS hosted the Show Jumping World Championships and incorporated it into the Dublin Horse Show of that year. The Dublin Horse Show has an array of national & international show jumping competitions and world class equestrian entertainment, great shopping, delicious food, music & fantastic daily entertainment. There are over 130 classes at the Show and they can be generally categorised into the following types of equestrian competitions: showing classes, performance classes and showjumping classes.

On the postage stamp with equestrian storyline is depicted the Irish competitor Bertram Allen on the horse Hector van d'Abdijhoeve.

A series of stamps was developed in the design company Zinc Design Consultants.  The designer used a photograph of Bertram Allen from compete in the Nations Cup during day three of the Dublin Horse Show at 2016.

Irish Army Lieutenant, Jennifer Larkin, RDS Chief Executive Michael Duffy, and Tullybawn, launching the RDS stamps series. Photo: Maxwells Dublin

Source: www.anpost.ie
www.breakingnews.ie