Eva steals the show at Tralee Races

WEARING hats of every shape and size and sporting dazzling colours, women turned out in style for Ladies’ Day at Tralee Races, yesterday.

Best-dressed lady was 26-year-old teacher, Eva Hayes, of Robin Hill, Ballyneety, Co Limerick, in a short, black dress of tight lace, with a matching cerise and black hat.

A teaching colleague, Roena Cunningham, hand made the dress for Eva, who received a voucher for 800 from the Fashion House of Michael H as her prize.

In second place was Linda O'Callaghan, from Tralee, who purchased her three-quarter length cream dress during a holiday in Malta.

Linda's matching chocolate hat caught the eye and she received a 400 voucher from the sponsors.

Liz Maher, from Carlow, was third and she looking a picture in a white dress and a red coat.

Spokesperson for the fashion competition, Orla Diffily, said standards were way up on last year.

"We had a huge array of hats and the amount of strong colours was also very striking plenty of red, purple and cerise taking over from the lighter creams," said Ms Diffily.

"More and more women seem to be dressing up for special occasions such as race meetings, which is to be welcomed.

"They certainly bring to the races and help conclude the Rose of Tralee festival in a stylish way."

Judges were Simon Dowling and Lisa Heather, from Fashion House of Michael H, Geraldine Beere, fashion buyer for Shaws and Irene Feighan of the Irish Examiner.