Venue & Travel

For more information on the RDS please visit www.rds.ie

The RDS is situated in the Heart of Dublin in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. It is located on a 42-acre site between on the Merrion Road between The Four Seasons Hotel and Herbert Park.

For further travel information, visit AA Route Planner Ireland.


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By Bus

The RDS is serviced by bus routes number 7, 5 and 45, which stop outside the Main Hall Entrance to the RDS on Merrion Road. These bus services can be availed of on Nassau Street outside Trinity College.

By DART

The nearest DART train stations are either Lansdowne or Sandymount and each are approx. 10 minute walk to the RDS. Trains travel south to these stations from Howth through the City Centre and north from Greystones through Dun Laoghaire.

By Car from City Centre

  • Outside Trinity College, take Nassau Street (N11) for about 150 metres then turn right following the signposts for the R118.
  • Follow the R118 (also locally known Mount Street – turns into Merrion Road) for approximately 2km. The RDS will be situated on the right hand side.

From Dublin Airport

Travel time: 45 Minutes, Distance: 16 Kilometres

  • Leave the Airport and follow the Way Out signs until you reach a signalled roundabout.
  • At the roundabout take the 2nd exit signposted Dublin to join Motorway M1
  • Airport Interchange. At roundabout take 2nd exit signposted Dublin
  • Junction3 (M50) Follow Signpost towards City Centre
  • Keep in right hand lane for Port Tunnel (Toll €3 to €12 depending on time)
  • Continue straight ahead through 2 sets of lights past the 02 Venue
  • Go through the East Link Toll Bridge (car €1.70)
  • Junction 80 (Dublin Outer Orbital Route); At the roundabout take the third exit signposted

N11, N81

  • Irishtown (Junction 81)
  • Turn right then and turn immediately left at the traffic signals into Londonbridge Road

R111 (Signposted N11, N81)

  • Junction 51 (R815) at traffic signals turn left R815, signposted Ballsbridge.
  • Proceed through the next traffic lights and The RDS is situated on your right

Arriving by Ferry

Dublin has two ferry ports – Dublin Port and Dun Laoghaire. Irish Ferries and Stena Line – arethe 2 ferry lines that operate at these ports.

From Dublin Port (City Centre)

Dublin Port is on the north of the city approximately 10 minutes drive from the RDS.

Follow the signs for the Port exit, all routes along Tolka Quay Road Junction with R131

  • Turn left at the traffic signals, taking R131 signposted City Centre
  • At the roundabout follow the sign posts to Dun Laoghaire via Toll Bridge and cross the River Liffey (East Link Toll Bridge Tollbooths – car charge €1.70)
  • Take Junction 80 (Dublin Outer Orbital Route)
  • At the roundabout take the 3rd exit signposted N11, N81
  • Take Irishtown (Junction 81)
  • Turn right then, at the traffic lights turn left into Londonbridge Road R111 signposted

N11, N81

  • Take Junction 51 (R815)
  • At the traffic lights turn left onto R815 signposted Ballsbridge
  • Proceed through the next traffic lights, the RDS Showgrounds are situated on your right

From Dun Laoghaire Port (South Co. Dublin)

Dun Laoghaire Port, south of the city, is approx. 10-15 minutes drive from the RDS.

  • On exiting the Port turn right onto Harbour Road (N31) and follow signs for Dublin City
  • Centre.
  • Continue along the N31 until you come to T-Junction.
  • Turn left at T-Junction and then right at the immediate set of traffic lights on Temple
  • Road
  • Continue straight along Temple Road -> Frascati Road -> Rock Road -> Merrion Road
  • towards the City Centre for approx 5.5 km
  • After approx. 5.5km turn left onto Simmonscourt Road (Bewleys Hotel is on corner)
  • On Simmonscourt Road turn left into the Simmonscourt Pavilion

Useful Numbers

Dublin Airport +353 (0) 1 844 4900 www.dublin-airport.com
Aer Lingus +353 (0) 1 886 8888 www.aerlingus.com
Aer Arann +353 (0) 1 814 1058 www.aerarannexpress.com
Ryanair +353 (0) 1 609 7800 www.ryanair.com
British Airways +353 (0) 129 357 837 www.britishairways.com
Bus Eireann +353 (0) 1 836 6111 www.buseireann.ie
Irish Rail / Dart +353 (0) 1 836 3333 www.irishrail.ie

National Dublin is linked to the rest of Ireland by road, fast efficient busand train services and six internal flight destinations.

Journey TImes

Name Proximity to RDS Transport Journey Time
Dublin Airport 25km Taxi/Bus 40 min
Heuston Train Station 6km Taxi/Bus 15 min
Connolly Train Station 4km Taxi/Bus/Dart 10 min
Busáras Bus Station 4km Taxi/Bus/Dart 10 min
Dun Laoghaire 6km Taxi/Bus/Dart 15 min

For Hotel & Guesthouse Accommodation, contact: sarah@sdlexpo.com

Accommodation & Social – www.visitdublin.com