24-26 August 2025 | RDS | Dublin (Opens 10am - 5pm daily)
24-26 August 2025 | RDS | Dublin (Opens 10am - 5pm daily)

Directions & Hotels

Getting to GIFT & HOME

BUS

Local buses to and from the city centre are the numbers 5, 7 and 7a. Bus services are operated by Dublin Bus.

DART

The DART (suburban rail) station closest to the RDS is “Sandymount”, which is approximately 10 minutes on foot to the RDS.

Sea

Dublin is serviced by two Ferry companies – Irish Ferries and Stena Line – which operate out of Dublin Port (to the north).

Air

The RDS is 16 kilometers from Dublin International Airport, which is serviced by European, Transatlantic and International Airlines. Dublin airport is located to the north of Dublin city centre. The “aircoach” service operates from both the airport and Ballsbridge every 15 minutes.

Free Car Parking

The RDS also offers car parking facilities onsite, for no extra charge..

TRAIN

There are two main train stations in Dublin (Heuston & Connolly). The DART (suburban rail) connects from Connolly station only. The LUAS (light rail) links Heuston Station with Connolly Station. 

Car Hire

Budget Car Rental Ireland offers a great value and friendly service and has rental locations in Dublin, Shannon, Cork, Knock and Belfast airports as well as in the major cities. Their website also offers information on safe driving in Ireland, tourist tips, and other useful information that you might find helpful.

Directions

 

The following are directions to reach the RDS by car:

Directions from the City Centre

From O’Connell bridge in the heart of Dublin’s city centre, with O’Connell street behind you travel south onto D’Olier Street (one-way);

Following the flow of traffic right at the end of D’Olier Street onto College Green (Trinity College will be on your left hand side);

Veer left at the entrance to Trinity College towards Grafton Street (one of Dublin’s main pedestrian shopping streets);

Follow the flow of traffic left onto Nassau Street (one-way); proceed to the end of Nassau Street/South Leinster Street to the fork in the road;

At this fork/set of traffic lights take the right onto Clare Street; continue straight along Merrion Square; Mount Street; over the Canal onto Northumberland Road; onto Merrion Road (Ballsbridge).

The RDS Main Hall Complex is located on your right hand side (opposite the AIB Banking Centre) in Ballsbridge.

Directions from the M50

Traveling southbound/northbound on the M50 take the exit for Sandyford Industrial Estate;

Continue in the direction of the Sandyford Industrial Estate as far as the Leopardstown Roundabout; take the second exit onto Brewery Road;

Continue straight to the end of Brewery Road until you reach the N11; turn left onto the N11 (direction of the city centre);

Continue straight passing UCD (on your left hand side) and RTÉ (on your right hand side) until you reach Donnybrook (Donnybrook Dublin Bus Garage will be on your left hand side);

With Donnybrook Bus Garage on your left hand side & Donnybrook Church on your right hand side turn right onto Anglesea Road;

For the RDS Main Hall Complex continue along Anglesea Road; just before the end of Anglesea Road, with the entrance to the Herbert Park Hotel on your left hand side there is the Anglesea Road entrance to the RDS Main Hall Complex.

Accommodation

The Talbot Hotel –  Stillorgan Co Dublin
DISCOUNT CODE: EventPro
Discounted Rates: 24th & 25th
€169.00 (B&B) Single Room – Per Night (normally 272 euro per night)
€185.00 (B&B) Double Room – Per Night (normally 285 euro per night)

Harcourt Hotel – 60 Harcourt Street, Dublin, Ireland D02 P902
Tel +353 1 478 3677 Email: bookings@harcourthotel.ie
Double Room 119.00 Euro Double Room and B + B 132.50 euro.

Camden Court Hotel –  Camden Street Lower D02 W086 Dublin 2
Tel 01 475 9666 Email: sales@camdencourthotel.ie
Twin or Double Room 168.00 per night, Breakfast 16 euro additionally.

The Clayton Hotel  – Ballsbridge
DISCOUNT CODE: GIFT240825
Discounted Rates: 24th, 25th & 26th
€209.00 (B&B) Single Room – Per night (normally 307 euro per night)
€229.00 (B&B) Double Room – Per Night (normally 317 euro per night
Bookings to be made 4 weeks prior to arrival date

The Herbert Park Hotel
DISCOUNT CODE: EVENT240825
Discounted Rates: 24th, 25th & 26th
€230.00 (B&B) Single Room – Per Night (normally 245 euro per night)
€245.00 (B&B) Double Room – Per Night (normally 273 euro per night) General Rates: 24th, 25th & 26th

Travel Lodge – City Centre
Tel 01 525 9500
Double Room 99.00 EURO per night.

Travel Lodge –  Rathmines Dublin 6
Tel 01 4911402.
Double Room 84.00 euro per night.

 

Or why not try other hotels in the area:

Talbot Hotel Stillorgan                                   

The Royal Marine, Dun Laoghaire                     

Fitzpatricks Castle Hotel, Killiney              

The Plaza Hotel, Tallaght                                       

Rochestown Lodge Hotel, Dun Laoghaire            

The Lansdowne Hotel, Ballsbridge                           

Gleesons Townhouse, Booterstown        

We also advice to check www.airbnb.comwww.booking.com for best local deals.

Strictly Trade Only

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