Social Pictures: Take a look at the finest Ladies’ Day style from the Galway Races

A highly anticipated occasion in Ireland’s event calendar each and every year, the Galway Races tends to draw a crowd from across the country. Taking place from Monday, 25 July to Sunday, 31 July, the excitement of the festivities is not confined to Ballybrit Racecourse.

With pre- and post-race day entertainment taking place at venues throughout the city, Galway was a sea of style throughout the week, but it was Thursday’s Ladies’ Day that the finest fashions and fascinators were pulled out of the bag.

In addition to the main Best Dressed contests at Ballybrit Racecourse sponsored by the Connacht Hospitality Group, The Hardiman Hotel in Eyre Square hosted their very own ‘Legacy Style’ competition on the evening of Thursday 28 July.

A host of stylish ladies entered their hat (or fascinator) in the ring, enjoying bubbles and a live performance from Michelle Lally as judges Mary McSweeney and Margaret Gallagher of Les Jumelles boutique and fashion editor Bairbre Power chose their winners.

Anna Rose Hynes of Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan donned a beautiful blue number and became the overall winner, walking away with a €1,500 voucher for Les Jumelles, a €1,000 cash prize, and a two night stay at The Hardiman Hotel with a bottle of bubbles and dinner on one evening.

Aoibheann McMonagle of Falcarragh, Co. Donegal and her striking pinstripe ensemble certainly made a splash, and she was crowned runner up. Former Galway Best Dressed Pamela Uba caused a similar stir this time around, and won Best Instagram Post for her colourful African print dress with statement ruffled sleeves.

At the official Galway Races Best Dressed competition, sponsored by The Connacht Hospitality Group, the racecourse was a sea of colour as many hopefuls splashed out in a bid to win the €10,000 cash prize.

Narrowed down to 25 finalists for Best-Dressed Lady, it was Sandra Faller that won the coveted title. A Galway woman who works as a front office manager at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, Sandra wore a golden Roisin Linnane satin two-piece made up of a smock-style top and wide-legged trousers, shoes from Premoli and a hat by Laura Hanlon.

The winner of Best Hat was Catherine O’Connor, who wowed in a stunning hat from Liz in Marc Milliner. Catherine walked away with a cash prize of €3,000. A huge day for the best of Irish and international design, the competition was judged by well-known stylist Mandy Maher, Kieran O’Malley of Connacht Hospitality Group, and award-winning Irish hat designer, Jennifer Wyrnne.

Take a look through the gallery below to see the incredible style on display at this year’s Galway Races.

Photography by Andrew Downes, xposure.