Special Days
Ladies Day (Best Dressed Person Competition) - Thursday 31st July
The Best Dressed Person Competition takes place on what is traditionally known as Ladies Day on Thursday, 31st August. This year’s competition is, again, generously sponsored by Anthony Ryan Ltd of Shop Street, Galway and the Best Hat Competition is sponsored by The Ardilaun Hotel, Taylors Hill, Galway. Anthony Ryan Ltd. has a strong reputation for quality service and an unequalled variety of collections, such as, Toypes, Citrine, Giorgio Netti, Libra, Magee, Remus and many more. There is a very generous first prize and two runner-up prizes for the best dressed ladies.
The 2007 Best Dressed Prize for first place was €4,000 shopping spree at Anthony Ryans. The winner of the Best Hat had received a prize for a Luxury Trip to Boston for Two and accomodation in the four star Jury's Boston Hotel sponsored by the Ardilaun Hotel. The ‘Best Dressed Person’ event at the Galway Races is a fashion highlight of the year.
Entry: There is no formal entry procedure to the competitions. Judges simply wander through the crowds and invite chosen finalists to the Anthony Ryan marquee, adjacent to the Champagne Tent. The winning outfits will be announced at approximately 4pm.
Click here for Best Dressed Person Competition 2007
Mad Hatter Day – Sunday, August 3rd
The last and most fun day of the Galway Races, Sunday 5th August saw women, men, children, families and friends dress up in the most stylish, creative and even outrageous hats, all vying for a chance at winning some of the top prizes and just enjoy what is one of Ireland's most popular sporting and social events.
Popular TV presenter, Lucy Kennedy was chosen to judge the 2007 Mercer Accommodation Group Mad Hatter Day. Lucy was on the look out for the most colourful, creative and fun hats. Sponsors of Mad Hatter Day, Mercer Accommodation Group & the new Great Southern Hotel Group comprising of Corrib Village Galway, the Tara Towers, Montrose Hotel, Mercer Hotel & Mercer Court Dublin, the newly opened Cork International Airport Hotel and Parknasilla Hotel Kerry, sponsored a variety of different categories for adults and children in which fabulous prizes were won!
1st Prize: "The Maddest Hatter"
Luxury weekend for 2 in Parknasilla Hotel, plus €1000 spending money!
2nd Prize: "Alice's Idol"
Weekend Break in the newly opened Cork International Airport Hotel, PLUS €1000 cash to spend on a shopping spree in Cork!
3rd Prize: "March Harebrain Hat"
A Weekend Break for 2 in the Mercer Hotel plus €500 spending money!
Crazy Kid's Prizes:
There is also a chance for children to enter the competition and there are many exciting prizes up for grabs for the most fun, creative and colourful mad hats! 1st Prize is a Sony Playstation 3, 2nd Prize is the Nintendo Wii and 3rd Prize is a Creative MP3 Player! Loads of spot prizes are also available throughout the day!