Madam, - We read with interest and anticipation your article of Tuesday, July 29th concerning the Dublin Horse Show. Like so many people in Ireland we have always welcomed the show and supported the Royal Dublin Society.
However, the article failed to mention the RDS's plans for developing an office complex, comprising five buildings ranging from four to six storeys (the height of the Four Seasons Hotel) along both sides of Simmonscourt Road.
This is in spite of the fact that, according to the Dublin City Development Plan, office development is not permitted on the site. Remarkably, Dublin City Council has consented to the public road forming part of the application so that an office plaza will occupy a large part of Simmonscourt Road.
The plans also call for major changes affecting the show-jumping arena, the heart of the RDS. A huge office block is to be positioned at its very edge.
Although we appreciate that the RDS must produce income, as it already does through numerous concerts, exhibitions and the lucrative leasing of the corner site to the Four Seasons Hotel, we regard these latest proposals as a complete departure from what the society stands for.
While we appreciate that the RDS is a private society, it now appears that it wishes to become involved in property speculation and the destruction of what should surely be an amenity for the public - the unique buildings and showgrounds.
We believe that members, and all those who feel the RDS grounds should continue to be used as they were originally intended and not for office blocks, should make their views known to RDS management and object in the strongest terms to this commercial venture, and to what amounts to the destruction of the site. - Yours, etc.,
COLM MAC EOCHAIDH, Fownes Street Upper, Dublin 2; TOM DILLON, Castletroy, Limerick; PATIENCE FAWCITT, Dunmanway, Co Cork; CHRIONA O'SULLIVAN, Callan, Co Kilkenny; Capt RONAN EGAN, Johnstown, Co Kildare; MONA McGARRY, Anglesea Road, Dublin 4; MIA O'SULLIVAN, Naas, Co Kildare; Friends of the RDS, 51 Anglesea Road, Dublin 4.