| The name Ballsbridge is derived from the bridge | | | | development of science, agriculture and industry in |
| over the River Dodder. The bridge was built and | | | | Ireland. The current premises was purchased in |
| owned by a Mr Ball - there's a plaque on the | | | | 1879, and now encompasses an area of forty |
| bridge that still states 'Ball's Bridge". | | | | acres. The venue comprises a number of |
| The bridge itself creates the centre of the | | | | exhibition halls (the main RDS Hall), the RDS arena, |
| Ballsbridge suburb, which extends to the north | | | | meeting and conference rooms, bars and |
| towards the Grand Canal along Northumberland | | | | restaurants, and the RDS Simmonscourt Pavillion. |
| Road and Shelbourne Road, southwards along | | | | The RDS main hall is a popular centre for |
| Merrion Road towards Merrion and then along | | | | exhibitions, concerts and other cultural events. |
| Anglesea Road towards Donnybrook, and | | | | The Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is |
| westwards to surround the area of Herbert Park. | | | | held each January there, along with the Travel |
| The houses in the area date back primarily to the | | | | Trade Show. |
| Victorian era, with some Georgian mansions | | | | The RDS in the past has hosted many music |
| dotted here and there. Houses in the main are | | | | concerts. Popular artists such as Bruce |
| detached and semi detached houses, apartments | | | | Springsteen, the Eagles, Radiohead, Guns n' Roses |
| and bungalows. In fact Ailesbury and Shrewsbury | | | | and Metallica have all performed here. Indeed, in |
| Road in the Dublin 4 area are considered to be | | | | February 2008 the Meteor Music Awards were |
| the most expensive streets in Ireland! The area is | | | | hosted there. The RDS has also been developed |
| also home to the head offices of Allied Irish Banks | | | | as an Equine Centre. In August each year, the |
| (AIB). | | | | RDS is home to the Dublin Horse Show, featuring |
| Attractions in Ballsbridge... | | | | local and international equestrian stars, this is a |
| Ballsbridge is home to some of the most popular | | | | major international horsing event. |
| cultural and sporting venues in Ireland. | | | | The RDS is also the home of the Leinster rugby |
| Lansdowne Road | | | | team, and the team play their Magniers League |
| Lansdowne Road sports stadium is the official | | | | and Heineken Cup games there. |
| home of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), | | | | Herbert Park |
| whose offices are located on the stadium | | | | Herbert Park is a beautiful green area in |
| grounds. Up until late 2006 all of Ireland's home Six | | | | Ballsbridge. It covers an area of about 32 acres |
| Nations and test matches were played there. It | | | | and is close to the luxurious Herbert Park Hotel. |
| was also used for Irish soccer internationals, | | | | The park is near to the River Dodder, and |
| soccer League of Ireland Cup Finals and also | | | | incorporates a number of soccer pitches, |
| several music concerts in the past. In fact, it was | | | | flowering gardens and a huge duck pond. Also |
| the oldest international rugby venue - Ireland | | | | located on site are a childrens playground, a |
| played England in a test match in 1878. The first | | | | number of tennis courts, and the bowling green of |
| soccer international was played at the venue was | | | | the Herbert Park Bowling Club. |
| in 1900, but from 1926-1968 soccer was rarely | | | | Public transport... |
| played there. The stadium had a previous capacity | | | | The DART train passes through Ballsbridge, |
| of approximately 48,000. Rock legends U2, REM, | | | | stopping at Lansdowne Road and also nearby |
| The Eagles and Bon Jovi are amongst the artists | | | | Sandymount, and offers access to Dublin city |
| to have performed at the old stadium. | | | | centre. Ballsbridge is also serviced by the following |
| The stadium is set for a major development and | | | | Dublin Bus routes, 4, 5 , 7, 7A, 7E, 8, 18, 45, 63 |
| modernisation by April 2010, creating a | | | | and 84 buses. |
| magnificent 50,000 all-seater stadium for both | | | | Attractions near Ballsbridge... |
| rugby and soccer. The redevelopment of the | | | | Ballsbridge is just a short bus drive, taxi ride, or |
| stadium was finally announced in January 2004 at | | | | Dart stop from all of Dublin's major attractions |
| a cost of approximately EUR365 million; of this, | | | | including Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol, the |
| EUR190 million is reported to come from the Irish | | | | National Concert Hall, Guinness Storehouse, The |
| government, with the remainder paid by the IRFU | | | | National Gallery, National Library & Museum, |
| and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). | | | | Dublin Castle, St Patrick's and Christchurch |
| Royal Dublin Society (RDS) | | | | Cathedrals, Abbey Theatre; Gaiety Theatre and |
| The Royal Dublin Society was founded nearly 300 | | | | of course the buzz of Temple Bar and the |
| years ago, to foster and encourage the | | | | shopping on Grafton Street. |