Dublin to Host Rotary International Convention in 2031, Projected to Deliver €68m Economic Boost
Dublin is set to host the Rotary International Convention in June 2031, a five-day event that will be staged in the RDS and is projected to bring up to 20,000 visitors from over 140 countries to the capital, delivering an estimated €68m boost to the Irish economy (C-MW). The convention represents a significant milestone for Ireland's business events sector, as it is the largest convention ever secured through Fáilte Ireland (ROTARY-RIBI). This major international gathering builds upon Ireland's growing tourism foundation, with more than 6.4 million overseas visitors coming to Ireland last year, contributing an estimated €5.5bn to the economy, with the average length of stay being 7.5 nights (C-MW).
"Fáilte Ireland is pleased that Dublin has been selected to host the Rotary International Convention in 2031. It is the largest convention ever secured through Fáilte Ireland and a major milestone for Ireland's business events sector. With up to 20,000 international delegates expected, securing the convention is a testament to the Team Ireland approach underpinned in the Business Events 2030 strategy, which was launched by Minister Peter Burke in 2025," said Paul Mockler, Head of Commercial Development with Fáilte Ireland (ROTARY-RIBI). The successful bid represents a coordinated national effort, as Ireland's 67 Rotary clubs put together the conference bid, which was supported by Fáilte Ireland, its Dublin Convention Bureau team and the RDS (C-MW).
The Rotary International Convention is projected to be one of Dublin's most significant events in 2031 (ROTARY-RIBI). This achievement comes as Ireland continues to expand its international connectivity, with this summer seeing direct flights to Ireland from a record 23 US gateways (C-MW). The enhanced air access positions Ireland to better accommodate large-scale international gatherings like the Rotary Convention, making the country more accessible to delegates from North America and beyond.
"Rotary conventions are powerful global gatherings where people unite to exchange ideas, celebrate service, and drive new thinking toward a healthier, more peaceful future," said Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo (ROTARY-RIBI). This perspective highlights the significance of the convention beyond its economic impact, emphasizing the knowledge exchange and collaborative opportunities that will benefit both the visiting delegates and the host country.
Rotary in Ireland has a long and proud history of service (ROTARY-RIBI). Ireland's 1,500 Rotary members belong to 67 clubs and volunteer their expertise and time to a range of local and international projects (ROTARY-RIBI). These initiatives include the Youth Leadership Development Competition, which involves Rotary Clubs running competitions in and between schools, with twenty future young leaders from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland selected to represent Ireland at the Euroscola event in the European Parliament in Strasbourg (ROTARY-RIBI).
Other notable Rotary projects in Ireland include Just 1 Life, a safe driving awareness programme for secondary school students (ROTARY-RIBI), and the Rotary Tree of Remembrance, which gives people the opportunity to remember loved ones in a simple way during the Christmas period by placing their message on a yellow ribbon on the Tree (ROTARY-RIBI). The organization also runs School Bikes Africa, which involves the collection of unwanted bicycles nationwide, refurbishment by prison inmates and then shipping to The Gambia for use by secondary school children (ROTARY-RIBI).
The global impact of Rotary extends far beyond Ireland, with over US$5.5 billion awarded through The Rotary Foundation to support programs worldwide (ROTARY-RIBI). This substantial financial contribution underscores the organization's commitment to service and community development on an international scale, principles that will be celebrated and advanced during the 2031 convention in Dublin.
"Rotary in Ireland has a long and proud history of service—Dublin Rotary Club, founded in 1911, was the first Rotary club established outside North America—yet we have never hosted the Rotary International Convention. Bringing this global gathering to Ireland has been a long‐held ambition of our members, and we are now very much looking forward to realising that ambition in 2031," said Garth Arnold, Co-Chair of the Bid Committee (ROTARY-RIBI). This historical context adds significance to Dublin's selection as the host city, representing the fulfillment of a long-standing goal for Rotary members across Ireland.
The successful bid for the 2031 Rotary International Convention demonstrates Ireland's growing capacity and reputation for hosting major international events. By securing this convention, Ireland positions itself as a competitive destination in the global business events market, potentially opening doors for additional high-profile gatherings in the future. The economic impact of €68 million represents a substantial return on investment for the coordinated national effort that went into securing the bid.
The convention's timing in 2031 allows for strategic planning and preparation, ensuring that Ireland can maximize both the immediate economic benefits and the longer-term reputational advantages of hosting such a prestigious global event. As Ireland continues to develop its tourism infrastructure and international connectivity, the Rotary International Convention stands as a landmark achievement in the country's business events strategy, reflecting the successful implementation of the Business Events 2030 strategy launched by Minister Peter Burke in 2025 (ROTARY-RIBI).