Claremorris ladies were the big winners in the style stakes at Ladies Day at the Galway Races today (Thursday ), collecting two out of the three major prizes.
Milliner Mary White from Claremorris won the prize for Best Irish Design while Danielle Gingell, a Yorkshire native now based in Claremorris, scooped the coveted Best Hat prize.
Both prizes were sponsored by Irish design group, Kilkenny.
Ms White won the Best Irish Design prize, worth €4,000, wearing a two-piece bespoke outfit by up-and-coming designer Laura Jayne Halton.
The 1950s inspired outfit was topped off with a grey percher pillbox hat with Russian veiling and ostrich feathers, which Ms White designed herself.
Ms Gingell's winning hat was a veiled, floral, cream creation with tulle netting, by American milliner Arturo Rios. Ms Gingell won a prize worth €2,500.
Speaking to the Mayo Advertiser this afternoon, fresh from the winner's enclosure, Ms White said she was "absolutely thrilled" to win the Irish design prize, particularly because she is so passionate about the Irish design sector.
She has been a milliner for 10 years and went into hat design professionally two years ago.
"The business has really taken off," she said. "To win this now is an absolute dream. I live for the Galway Races. I first started coming with my granny as a child. We love horses and we love fashion so (Ladies Day ) is a fantastic occasion."
Best Hat winner Ms Gingell, who runs her own dog grooming business, said she was "shocked" when she heard she had scooped the winning prize.
"I couldn't belive it when I heard my name," she said. "I was in shock because there is so much style here today. It is a real priviledge to be picked."
The Best Dressed Lady was Cork woman Alex Butler from Midleton, who wore a one shoulder, midi-length red dress by Teria Yabar and headpiece by acclaimed Leitrim milliner Jennifer Wrynne.
The Galway Races continue until Sunday.
