The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) has announced a new strategic partnership with Levy Ireland, marking a key milestone in the continued transformation of Ireland’s largest multi-purpose venue.
Set across its 43-acre Ballsbridge campus, the RDS is entering a new phase of development, anchored by the redevelopment of the Laya Arena, a state-of-the-art venue designed to bring visitors, fans, and guests closer to world-class experiences.
Leveraging its expertise in sport, hospitality, conferences and events, Levy Ireland will lead all food and beverage operations across the RDS, delivering a fully integrated hospitality offering across sport, live entertainment, conferences, exhibitions, and flagship events including the Dublin Horse Show.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Levy Ireland is removing all air-freighted fruit and vegetables, prioritising locally sourced ingredients to support Irish farmers and reduce food miles. Seasonal menus and a ‘Head to Tail’ culinary approach ensure fresh, ethical, and sustainable produce remains central to the RDS visitor experience.
The partnership will deliver premium culinary experiences within the revitalised Laya Arena, featuring a new 6,700+ capacity Anglesea Stand, premium hospitality suites, and the integration of the former St Mary’s Church, now known as The Grand Hall, as a distinctive hospitality space.
With a future capacity of over 20,000, the Laya Arena will significantly enhance the RDS’s ability to host major international sports, large-scale events, and cultural experiences. As the home of Leinster Rugby, it will also host concerts and live entertainment year-round.
Hosting hundreds of events annually, and home to the RDS Foundation’s founding disciplines – Agriculture, Arts, Enterprise, Equestrianism, and Science & Technology – the RDS plays a vital role in Ireland’s economic and cultural life.
This partnership represents a step-change in hospitality delivery, combining premium catering, innovation, and operational excellence to meet the expectations of modern audiences and global event partners.
“As Ireland’s largest multi-purpose venue in the heart of Dublin, we are uniquely placed to bring people closer to world-class events and experiences. This partnership marks an important step forward as we continue to evolve the RDS which includes the Laya Arena into a leading destination for sport, culture, business and live entertainment — with Levy bringing global best practice and international innovation to help position the RDS not only as a premier Irish venue, but as a destination of choice for international events and conferences.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank Gather & Gather and Madigan’s, for their long-standing contribution to the RDS.
With Levy Ireland’s proven expertise, we look forward to continuing to elevate hospitality across the RDS — from the Dublin Horse Show to major concerts, conferences, exhibitions, and sporting events.”
— Paul Kelly, CEO, RDS
“We are incredibly proud to be working with the Royal Dublin Society at such a pivotal moment. As the venue enters this new phase, we look forward to bringing our innovation and expertise to elevate the visitor experience.”
“Our food strategy is central to this; by championing a ‘Head to Tail’ culinary philosophy, sourcing our meat from Ireland, and utilising seasonal Irish produce, we are ensuring our menus are as sustainable as they are exceptional. Together, we share a strong commitment to delivering world-class hospitality and supporting the continued cultural and economic impact of the RDS.”
— Barry Storey, Managing Director, Levy Ireland
News & Insights
Latest Articles
-
Edgbaston Stadium and Levy UK + Ireland Announce Historic Long-Term Partnership Extension
-
Fermentation, a technique used for thousands of years to preserve foods, is just one of the ways we prevent food waste at Levy.
-
Chef Will Devlin launches Birchwood - The Conduit in partnership with The Conduit and Levy in central London