Style takes centre stage at Galway Races
130,000 people attended this year’s Galway Races Summer Festival
An estimated 130,000 people made the annual trek to Ballybrit over the seven days of this year’s Galway Races Summer Festival.
Leitrim was well represented as thousands of racegoers flocked to Ballybrit for Ladies’ Day, where style, confidence and individuality once again stole the show.
Leitrim Rose Catherine Cullen among the guests. The Drumshanbo native, who will represent the county at this year’s Rose of Tralee Festival, was among 16 Irish Roses and 16 International Roses attending the event ahead of their journey to Tralee later this month.
Taking home the coveted €10,000 Best Dressed Lady title was Lisa Walsh, an accountant from County Meath, whose elegant custom-designed dress by Only One Ashley and striking Fiona Rafter hat impressed the judges.
The Best Hat award went to Maksuda Akhter, whose eye-catching Fiona Rafter hat creation stood out for its creativity and craftsmanship.
Judging the competition were fashion expert Mandy Maher, Ella & Jo co-founder Charlene Flanagan and broadcaster Laura Fox, who faced the difficult task of selecting winners from an exceptionally stylish field.
“The standard was exceptional once again,” Maher said. “The ladies seem to get more stylish year after year, making the judging process harder than ever.”
Flanagan said Ladies’ Day celebrated far more than fashion.
“It’s about confidence, personality and expressing your own sense of style,” she said.
Fox added that the atmosphere at Ballybrit was unlike anywhere else, with racegoers embracing fashion in their own unique way.
From elegant tailoring and bold colours to dramatic millinery and timeless classics, Ladies’ Day once again lived up to its reputation as one of Ireland’s premier fashion events, attracting visitors from across the country.