Orlagh with Ann Marie McManus (left) and Marietta Doran at the Galway Races last week.
I CANNOT believe that it is over.
This marker in the calendar as a child was always a bad sign as it meant only one more month of holidays. I speak of course of the Galway Races. How or why Ballybrit became the leader of the Irish fashion stakes I really don’t know, but this year was no exception.
The style was just amazing, imagine the poshest wedding you were ever at and multiply it by ten.
For me it started on Tuesday where I first went to a charity luncheon in aid of NBCRI. This set the tone for the following three days as the amazing creations of hats and outfits were breathtaking.
Wednesday is the first of the day meetings and although there were a few showers it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits.
Irish designs are alive and well and the array of designs did not disappoint. I chose to wear Irish all week with Elizabeth Christina designs as my headwear and Killorglin based Tina Griffin for my outfits.
Tina Hemlock-Coyne, the lady behind Elizabeth Christina Designs wore the most exquisite outfits for the three days that she was there.
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The betting didn’t go too well for me on Wednesday but the craic with my childhood friends more than made up for the losses.
Thursday is the big one, Ladies Day! Tralee ladies did the town proud and as usual at every race meeting Carol Kennelly’s creations were in abundance.
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Carol Kennelly at the Galway Races last week.
How she comes up with her unique designs is a mystery and one I am sure she will never share. Carol herself looked radiant in a beautiful yellow two piece. She really is her own best model.
Claire Murphy wore a beautiful Theia dress teamed with a Carol masterpiece and her stunning sister in law Marie wore a Tina Griffin ensemble with another Carol piece.
Killorglin ladies Joanne Murphy and Elaine Kelleher wore edgy pieces and wonderful Tina Griffin outfits and they certainly did them justice. As always, chosen finalist Mary Stapleton looked beautiful, again supporting Kerry designers.
On the day the winner was chosen as Helen Murphy from Cork and Helen was a deserving winner. Her look was fresh and was a step away from the fitted dresses that we have seen too much off in my humble opinion.
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Her prize was generously sponsored by fashion house supreme Anthony Ryan.
TV personality Marietta Doran looked stunningly beautiful every day and I personally think that RTE need to show more of the style at the racecourse. I spoke with some ladies who told me that the only reason that they attend is to see the fashion. Come on RTE give us ladies what we want!
I previously referred in another article to Image Editor-in-Chief, Melanie Morris and her husband Trevor Ridgley as racing royalty and they certainly maintained this title as they looked like a couple after stepping off the catwalk.
Thursday was a great day for me as I had the winner of the Guinness Galway Hurdle with AP McCoy on board Thomas Edison. As Tony is married to my friend Chanelle, we Loughrea girls celebrated in style.
So that is it for another year and Galway you certainly didn’t disappoint.
Until next week ladies,
Stay stylish!
Orlagh xx
Orlagh with Elaine Kelliher from Killorglin at the Galway Races last week.
Orlagh with Chanelle McCoy at the Galway Races last week.
