Behind the widely known Royal Dublin Society (RDS) lies the RDS Foundation, a philanthropic powerhouse dedicated to nurturing Ireland’s cultural, educational and community initiatives. Since its inception in 1731, the foundation has sought to fund projects that preserve Ireland’s heritage, promote innovation and empower individuals across diverse sectors.
Niamh De Loughry, its deputy chief executive and director, says the foundation – one of Ireland’s oldest institutions – has also sought to move with the times, , innovating as it has evolved, aligning with the mission of the RDS to see Ireland “thrive culturally and economically”.
“Our foundation work programme does that by increasing profiles, investing in the next generation, and celebrating dedication, talent and success,” De Loughry explains.
This strategic philanthropy includes bursaries and research grants, as well as, since the foundation’s establishment, support for agriculture, the arts, enterprise, equestrianism, and science and technology. All of these initiatives are detailed in an impressive timeline of the foundation’s work, available on its website, which illustrates how it has kept pace with the modernisation of society over almost 300 years and had a notable influence on these disparate sectors via its philanthropic endeavours.
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De Loughry cites the ESB Science Blast as one of its current landmark programmes, one that she says it has “grown hugely” since it began in 2019, in spite of being online during Covid. Run by the foundation’s science and technology committee, the programme is funded by the ESB and supported by the Department of Education and other businesses. A free, non-competitive educational programme for primary schoolchildren in third to sixth class, the aim of the scheme is to get entire classes investigating the science behind a simple question.
“We support teachers with a framework to help them get started but it is student-led,” De Loughry explains. “Students consider everything from why is the sky blue to why is a dog’s nose wet to whether we are influenced by the colours of different foods. The goal is to develop those critical thinking skills, investigate the question thoroughly and then present their findings.”
The programme has been evolving every year to ensure that it is inclusive and accessible, De Loughry says. “We are breaking down barriers,” she adds.
For example, efforts have made to ensure the programme is open to children with special educational needs, and those from DEIS communities, as well as Gaelscoileanna.
“The vision we have for the programme is that every child on the island of Ireland gets the opportunity to participate at least once – that’s the ambition we have set ourselves.”
In 2024, 17,500 primary schoolchildren took part, from all 32 counties.
The programme culminates with annual showcase events in RDS Simmonscourt, the University of Limerick and the International Convention Centre in Belfast, where students showcase their findings and get an opportunity to meet expert judges, who offer positive feedback.
“One of the things that makes it really special for students is meeting our judges,” says De Loughry. “They are volunteers from different STEM backgrounds – this year we had 347 of them. This is one of the student’s favourite parts – they get to interact with a real-life scientist or STEM expert, and it gives young people the knowledge that their sense of curiosity and wonder could translate into a career in STEM.”
Feedback from both students and teachers is overwhelmingly positive. A survey found that 98 per cent of teachers found the judging process beneficial for their class, while 100 per cent would recommend participation to another teacher.
“It was the best-run school event I have ever attended. We will be sure to come again as the children loved it,” said one teacher.
Student feedback was similarly effusive. One student said: “We are coming up with ideas that night change the world.”
The RDS Foundation also has a broad-ranging arts programme, encompassing visual arts, the craft sector and musical talent.
“We are recognising that providing a platform for artists at that early stage in their career is really fundamental,” says De Loughry. “Our bursaries and awards allow them to really tap into their creativity and invest time in developing their craft.”
An example is the RDS Craft Awards a competition for craft makers living on the island of Ireland and Irish-born makers working overseas. The awards serve to recognise and support excellence in craft, and include a total prize fund of €60,000.
“Our legacy in Irish craft goes back to 1968,” says De Loughry. “We have always been focused on contributing to the development and growth of the sector.”
In 2025, following an external evaluation the awards have been opened up again to established as well as emerging makers from all of Ireland. The revised programme will also include a dedicated exhibition showcasing Ireland’s best craft makers. “It is really important that the programme continues to evolve and provides a platform to highlight sustainable practices, heritage and craftsmanship, as we have so much talent on this island,” says De Loughry.
Another example of how the foundation nurtures Ireland’s unique craft scene is the RDS Branchardiére Lace Bursary. Worth €2,000 annually, this was made possible by a legacy gift.
“This bursary really brings out some really beautiful work that’s taking place in lace,” says De Loughry. “It’s about heritage and ensuring we can preserve traditions like that.”
One of the most important platforms for visual arts graduates in Ireland, the RDS Visual Art Awards is the foundation’s second-largest programme. In existence since 1860, the programme brings together the top visual arts graduates from art colleges across Ireland, with those shortlisted given the opportunity to exhibit their work. There is a prize fund for the top five of €40,000.
“This is an amazing opportunity for emerging visual artists,” says De Loughry. “Again, the judging panel is high profile, with significant expertise, and [the awards programme has] provided an incalculable boost to these graduates at the beginning of their career.”
Taïm Haimet, Taylor Art Award Winner 2024, agrees. The RDS Taylor Art Award, the first prize in the RDS Visual Art Awards, is given to whoever the judges believe to be the most promising emerging visual artist of the year, with a cash prize of €10,000.
Winning the award was “an incredible surprise and opportunity,” says Haimet. “It enabled me to sustain my practice and finance my decision to further my education by completing an MA in creative practice at Galway ATU. The financial support allowed me to be ambitious in the materials and scale of my new projects and afforded me the time and dedication I needed to give my practice while building a new body of work.
“I also found myself gaining more confidence, as an emerging artist, in feeling that my practice was being appreciated and encouraged by an art world that can seem like a distant land when one is working alone in a workshop, especially as a student.”
Music is another key element of the foundation’s arts programme; the annual RDS Music Bursary Award consists of a €15,000 bursary and two professional performance engagements. Awarded since 2003, the bursary is open to winners of selected senior competitions in the Feis Ceoil who are attending or have completed a music degree, or are studying at a similar level with a recognised teacher in Ireland or abroad.
“It provides a unique opportunity for people at that early stage in their career, whether it’s developing their studies or giving them the security to pursue the trajectory they are on,” says De Loughry.
Agriculture and rural development has been a priority for the foundation since it was established. De Loughry says people “might be surprised to know that the RDS was involved in the planting of 55 million trees at one point in time – as far back as the 18th century”.
The RDS Spring Awards recognise the best farmers, foresters, agri-entrepreneurs and innovators in Ireland. In the era of climate change, such efforts to celebrate and promote the principles of climate-smart agriculture have become even more critical.
The RDS Finding Common Ground festival ran for the second year in 2025, bringing together elements from all the Foundation’s programme areas - arts, agriculture, enterprise, science education and equestrianism - to look at climate change and biodiversity loss.
“This approach allowed us to look at tackling the major issues of our times through diverse lenses so that we can have a greater impact for society as a whole.”
This broad range of activities is funded by the RDS via membership, as well as corporate sponsors, philanthropy and commercial activities, which allows the foundation to be independent, innovative and forward thinking.
As the organisation approaches its tercentenary in 2031, members and staff have been reflecting on its history and evolution. “It is a real privilege to look back in the archive and look at ways the RDS was very influential on all these sectors over hundreds of years.”
