Parking
Except for Members of the RDS, all car parking facilities at the RDS are operated on a fee-paying basis.
The following parking rates apply:
Car Parking Hours
- Under regular circumstances, the Merrion Road car park is open year-round from 7.30am – 6.30pm Monday to Friday.
- Simmonscourt and Anglesea Road car parks are only open for particular events. A flat fee is charged upon entry as outlined above.
- No personnel will be allowed sleep overnight in vehicles.
- Illegally parked exhibitors vehicles/overnights etc will be removed and towing charges will be levied.
Parking for RDS Members
Convenient parking in the centre of Dublin is one of the many benefits ofmembership. RDS Members receive three hours complimentary car parking per day at the RDS. Country and Overseas Members receive 200 hours free parking per year.
The Members’ car park, located on Merrion Road, is open from 7.30am to 6.30pm daily, with extended opening hours when events are held at the RDS. A charge of €6.00 per day will apply after the complimentary allocation.
Parking is not available for Members during the Dublin Horse Show
Parking for Exhibitors
Parking is available on a first-come first-served basis and is configured according to the location, timing and nature of the event. There are three main entrances/parking areas at the RDS: Merrion Road, Simmonscourt Road and Anglesea Road.
A limited number of free car park spaces will be issued for the use of organisers for distribution to exhibitors or performers. Car park passes for these spaces are issued by the RDS and distributed to the event organiser.
For special events, the car parks are open from 7.00am until one hour after the building closes (or one hour after the event closes on open days).
If extended hours are required (e.g. for an exhibitors’ party), please discuss this with your event organiser. An additional charge will be incurred.
For more information, please consult your event organiser or telephone the RDS Operations team on +353 (0)1 668 0866 (during regular office hours).
Additional car and lorry parking in the surrounding areas can be arranged in advance in certain circumstances. Details are available from your event organiser.
Directions 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 known as Mount Street which becomes Merrion Road) for approximately 2km. The RDS Main Complex will be situated on the right hand side.
To go to the Simmonscourt Complex continue along the Merrion Road and turn right into Simmonscourt Road. The RDS Simmonscourt Complex is situated on the left hand side after the two office buildings.
By Bus
The RDS is serviced by bus routes number 4, 7 and 45, which stop outside the Main Hall Entrance to the RDS on the 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.
Directions From Airport
Travel time: 45 minutes
Distance: 16 kilometres
By Car
- 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.
- Junction3 (M50): follow signpost towards City Centre
- End of the Motorway, follow the N1
- At the junction with Griffith Avenue turn left at traffic lights R102 signposted Malahide, Howth.
- Junction with R107, at the traffic lights turn right R107
- At the T Junction turn right R105
- At traffic lights turn left R131 signposted Dublin Port, Dun Laoghaire
- At the junction with Alfie Byrne Road go through the traffic lights
- At the junction for Dublin Port turn right at the traffic lights
- Passing The O2 (J79) at the roundabout follow the signposts for Dun Laoghaire Via Toll Bridge and proceed across the River Liffey
- 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.
Directions From trains
From Main Train Lines
There are two main train stations in Dublin: Connolly & Heuston.
You can connect to the DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) directly from Connolly station to Ballsbridge (Sandymount DART Station).
You can connect to the Luas directly at Heuston station and transfer to the DART at Connolly station to Ballsbridge (Sandymount DART Station).
From Local Train Lines
Located in close proximity to the RDS is the DART line. The closest DART station to the RDS is Sandymount.
Directions on foot from the Sandymount Dart Station:
- Follow the Exit signs and turn right onto Sandymount Avenue
- Continue until you reach the traffic lights (Bewleys and the Four Seasons Hotel will be directly in front of you)
- For the RDS Main Complex then turn right onto Merrion Road and the Main Complex is situated on the left hand side (Merrion Road).
- For the Simmonscourt Complex continue straight ahead from the traffic lights at the crossroads, passing Bewleys on your left: the Simmonscourt Complex is on the left hand side after the office buildings
