Grace and glamour at Killarney Races

IT was enough to take your mind off the loss of a few euro.

With the sun making a reappearance after a few days of rain, there was enough glamour on display during Ladies' Day at Killarney Races to distract even the hardened punters from the relentless battle with the bookies.

Looking resplendent in a raw silk orange dress, 28-year-old Norma O'Donoghue was the unanimous choice of the judges.

The window dresser from Ballycasheen Road, Killarney, purchased the dress which she had already worn to a few weddings as part of an exclusive range through Quills of Killarney.

"I obviously came dressed for Ladies' Day, but was genuinely surprised to win," said Norma, as friends congratulated her in the parade ring.

She received an all-expenses paid weekend for two in Paris as her prize.

Second prize went to Elizabeth McDade, of Ballinorig East, Tralee, who wore a classic beige suit, and in third place was Ita Looney, of College Street, Killarney, who wore a flowing lavender outfit.

The judges, including top model Natasha Byram and Limerick model agency owner Celia Holman Lee, said they were "blown away" by the style.

"I was very impressed. I know this might be clichéd, but it was very difficult to pick a winner," said Natasha, on her first trip to Killarney Races.

Ms Holman Lee, who has been a judge on Ladies' Day for several years, said fashion standards this year were higher than previous years.

"It's never easy to pick out one woman from all the others, but today we had all different types of style on women of all ages. Women coming to Killarney races really do make an effort," she added.

"I heard a story about one woman deciding this morning to go to a florist to purchase flowers which she made into a hat for the day," said competition organiser Orla Diffily.

"Others go to far more trouble, like the lady that had a hat flown in specially from London."

Race company chairman Jimmy Fleming said he was happy with the four-day meeting. "Crowds were back a little on Wednesday because the day was so wet and we were very glad that the final day came so good," he said.