The RDS (Royal Dublin Society) is home to the Leinster First XV's home matches and is situated in the Heart of Dublin in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.

It is located on a 42-acre site between The Four Seasons Hotel and Herbert Park on Merrion Road.

For further travel information, visit AA Route Planner Ireland.

Getting to the RDS From City Centre

By Car

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 Showgrounds will be situated on the right hand side.

By Bus

The RDS Showground 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 Local Train

Dublin DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) service also operates from the City Centre to Ballsbridge. Travel southbound to Lansdowne or Sandymount stations.

Other Information

Parking at the RDS

Parking is configured at the RDS according to the location, timing and nature of the event. It is recommended to call to check parking arrangements for the event you are attending. There are three main entrances/parking areas at the RDS: Merrion Road, Simmonscourt Rd and Anglesea Road.

Merrion Road car park is open year-round from 9.00am – 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. A flat fee is charged for the first three hours after which time an hourly rate is applied. Hours are extended for events. Simmonscourt and Anglesea Road car parks are open for particular events. A flat fee is charged upon entry. Parking is available on a first come basis.

For more information, please telephone +353 1 668 0866 (during regular office hours).

Since the stadium in Donnybrook was newly renovated and the new stand opened in January 2008, Leinster Schools have been the predominant users of the ground. The new stand makes the capacity of Donnybrook perfect for Club games, Amateur Internationals, Leinster A Games and Ireland A Games. Leinster Branch's offices are now situated across the road from the stadium.

Donnybrook is approximately 2 miles from centre of Dublin City (O'Connell Street) travelling south past St. Stephen's Green and is walking distance from Lansdowne Road.

Travelling to Donnybrook from the City Centre

By Bus

The number 10 and 46A bus services O'Connell Street and Trinity College (beside Grafton Street) and both go straight past the ground. (Cost would be in the region of €1.50). From town, the journey is around 15 minutes on a bus.

By Dart

The DART station at Lansdowne Road is approximately a 15 minute walk from the Grounds. At traffic lights on Lansdowne Road walk up Shelbourne Road to Ballsbridge, bear right over the Bridge over the River Dodder, and cross the road past Old Belvedere RFC on Anglesea Road. At the top of Anglesea Road at the Church turn right, back over the river and you are at the Ground.

or

From Sydney Parade, turn right and walk straight up past the Four Seasons Hotel. Merrion Cricket Club is facing you. Turn left, past Old Belvedere RFC on Anglesea Road. At the top of Anglesea Road at the Church turn right, back over the river and you are at the Ground.

Travelling to Donnybrook from Dun Laoghaire

Number 46A bus or the DART to Lansdowne Road. Any of the 46 bus routes will leave you at the ground and will take in the region of a half hour.

Travelling to Donnybrook from Dublin Airport

There is an Aircoach service from Dublin Airport which also leaves you at the ground (€7 single/€12 return approx.). You'd be better giving yourself an hour because of road works on the dual carriageway on the Dublin Airport – City Centre road. For further information and for a route map visit Aircoach.

The 746 bus service also departs from Dublin Airport and serves Donnybrook.

Walking to Donnybrook

If you're feeling energetic, Donnybrook is around a half hour southward walk from St. Stephen's Green. Donnybrook is a 10 minute walk from the Burlington Hotel. The ground is also a 10 minute walk from Ballsbridge, past Old Belvedere RFC and covers the RDS & Four Seasons Hotel. It is also a 15 minute walk to Lansdowne Road (Jury’s Doyle Hotel, Tower Hotel and Berkeley Court Hotel).