Dublin Horse Show Archive
The Dublin Horse Show Archive represents the records of the Society's annual Horse Show dating back to 1868. Comprising of catalogues, photographs, posters, postcards, medals and trophies, it is one of the largest collections of its kind in Europe.
The first National Horse Show was held in Dublin on April 16- 17 1864. The event, organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of Ireland and the Royal Dublin Society, was held in the Agricultural Hall, at the RDS premises at Leinster House. The Hall was fitted as out as stables and 370 horses were entered for the Show. In 1868 the RDS took full responsibility for the organisation of the Show and, today over 1,500 horses arrive annually at its Ballsbridge premises to take part in the Dublin Horse Show.
The RDS Library & Archives is the repository of the Dublin Horse Show Archive, one of the largest equestrian archives in Europe.
The Dublin Horse Show Archive includes:
- Maymes Ansell Archive: Approximately 20,000 images taken at the Horse Show from 1967-2006, donated by the photographer Maymes Ansell in 2007
- Tony Parkes Archive: Images taken at the Dublin Horse Show 2005-2012 by photographer Tony Parkes
- RDS Photos Online: Images from the Dublin Horse Show (1930s-2000s)
- Hume-Dudgeon Archive: Photograph albums (1920-1964) featuring currently on permanent loan to the RDS Library & Archives
- Dublin Horse Show catalogues, press clippings correspondence and ephemera relating to the Dublin Horse from 1864 to the present
Access
The Dublin Horse Show Archive is available for consultation by RDS Members and researchers by appointment.
Please contact: librarydesk@rds.ie +353(0)12407254.
