Best Dressed Lady crowned on Ladies Day at Galway Races
It was one of the busiest and most popular days at the festival and there was intense competition both on and off the track.
The winner of the Best Dressed Lady this year was 28-year-old Megan Cunniss from Bohermore, Co Galway.
The Best Hat was won by Breda Butler from Thurles in Tipperary.
Ms Cunniss wore a vintage black and white 1950's era dress which was made in France and tailored in Galway.
She is a medical secretary in University Hospital Galway and is married with one daughter.
Elizabeth Egan and Eva Hayes-Morrissey, from Cork and have been coming to the Galway Races for over 25 years.
Elizabeth sums up the appeal in one sentence: "It's the people, the style ands the craic".
Eva agrees, saying: "It's a family tradition and we just wouldn't miss it. It's the atmosphere, the top class racing and of course the fashion.
"It's also the nights out, the hangovers, the getting ready! It's all part and parcel of the buzz of Galway.
"There's no other track like it in Ireland and I go racing a lot"
Eva agreed, saying: "It's a family tradition and we just wouldn't miss it. It's the atmosphere, the top class racing and of course the fashion.
"It's also the nights out, the hangovers, the getting ready! It's all part and parcel of the buzz of Galway.
"There's no other track like it in Ireland and I go racing a lot".
Faith Amond and Catherine Byrne, from Carlow, are regular racegoers and attend the festival every day.
"We love everything about it, the racing and the social side and of course the fashion. We've been coming for decades and it's an annual pilgrimage not to be missed".
Lauren Tinkler pulled a high street fashion dress together with a designer hat in varying shades of green.
"Yeah I love green and just felt it was a nod to our traditional Irish colour."
She threw back her head and laughed at the notion that she might wear it again on St Patrick's Day.
"Why not! But I might be a bit overdressed for the pub!"
This year's guest judge is Lisa McGowan. She won the best dressed title in 2016 and went on to build her own fashion and cosmetics brands.
"Oh it's amazing to be here as a judge nine years on. I was so shocked when my name was called out in 2016. Today is a full circle moment for me. Galway kickstarted my career," she said.
The Tullamore woman summed up what makes a winning outfit in her eyes.
"Style and elegance are key, but often it's the "something extra" that catches the eye of the judges.
"I think the minute you walk into a group of ladies the winner is going to stand out. There's no particular look but she's going to carry herself beautifully. She will be immaculately dressed.
"We usually know a winner straight away," she said, and whispered: "I had the winner picked within five minutes of getting here!"
Ballybrit is a dazzling extravaganza of frock and feathers, frills and fascinators.
But as well as high end fashion, many people, like Ruby O'Reilly Duff, from Milford in Co Donegal, had rummaged through oddments at home to create a unique, recycled look.
"I made this hat myself and it cost me nothing! I used old rosettes I won as a child and recycled some old netting to create this look. I love the Galway Races and am marking this day with my own special look."
The Galway Races are one of the biggest sporting and social events in the west of Ireland.
An estimated 130,000 people are expected to attend this week - on a par with the festival last year.
Chief Executive of Galway Racecourse Michael Maloney said the races are worth over €60 million to the local economy.
"This festival generates a lot of income for hotels and guesthouses, taxi drivers, hairdressers, boutiques and so forth.
"Here in Ballybrit there are up to 1,600 staff employed across a wide range of areas with a huge number of young people working in hospitality this week."
There are 800 horses in 53 races with prize money in excess of €2m.
Last year, the story of a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes in a bin at Ballybrit went viral.
The designer heels were the centre of another mini drama today when Louisa Murphy, from Tramore in Co Waterford, got one of her stilettos stuck in a drain.
"Oh I can't believe this is happening. I was too busy looking around and not paying attention to where I was going when I stepped in the grid.
"They cost me over €600 to buy and I spent another €200 custom dyeing them orange to match my dress. So they really are one of a kind."
Louisa put her face in her hands and groaned: "Now my boyfriend knows what I spend on designer shoes".
As she pulled and prodded at the shoe - to no avail - a group of curious onlookers gathered round and told her to have patience and find a plumber!
"This is a new shoe. I need a farrier urgently," she cried.
Eventually, a maintenance worker rescued the shoe and the damsel in distress slipped her bare feet into her Manolo Blahnik, never to be taken off again.
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I didn't know it then but I am the luckiest man on earth — they moved me to Cork and I didn't know that I would be in this restaurant with these people, but that's God's plan, and I'm so thankful — but I am still stateless.' A glimpse into the kitchen at Izz Café, Cork City, as Iman Alkarajeh prepares a traditional Palestinian cake featured in Jibrin. Picture Chani Anderson In a few days, Izz will return to the West Bank to see family. But even as an Irish citizen since 2023, Israeli authorities still impose stringent restrictions on entry. Even the book's title could prove contentious. 'I think they are not happy with the name,' says Eman, 'Jibrin was [the first Palestinian town occupied by the Israelis in 1948] where my family came from [before they were forced into exile in Jordan].' While they dream of peace, freedom, and sovereignty for Palestine, Izz and Eman view Cork as home. 'Cork people are very supportive,' says Izz, 'very kind, very social. They approach you. They tend to hear you, your stories, your pains, and the Palestinian cause makes them even more engaging because it touches their humanity, so you feel them close to your heart. Becoming Irish citizens has been one of the most transformative experiences in our lives — not just legally, but emotionally and culturally as well... In Cork, we celebrate every aspect of our Palestinian heritage openly which amazes people in Palestine. People here have embraced us wholeheartedly, giving us space to be ourselves fully. 'This is why we fell in love with Cork and we feel we want to give back even more, to the community." Jibrin, the new cookery book by Izz and Eman Alkarajeh and chef Habib Al Ostaz, pictured alongside freshly made dishes from the book at Izz Café, Cork City. Picture Chani Anderson.
