Listowel Races pays fashion homage to the iconic denim blue jeans on second day of festival
It was a Monday like no other…as crowds enjoyed the serious racing, fashion and fun of the second day of the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival (18th to 24th September).
Monday was also the premier of ‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ fashion competition sponsored by O’Connor’s Hardware & Farm Supplies, which celebrated one of the most iconic wardrobe essentials – Denim Blue Jeans ! Everyone of all ages got into the spirit of the occasion and wore their favourite denim jeans, dresses, shirts and skirts!
Mc’ed by Billy Keane each of the 12 finalists told the story behind their individual look. After much deliberation, the judges decided that Mary Woulfe in a ruffled denim dress with co-ordinated hat and accessories and the very dapper Dominick Moloney were the overall winners and each received a €200 cash prize from sponsors Larry, Tina and Sadie O’Connor from O’Connor’s Hardware & Farm Supplies, Duagh.
‘Forever in Blue Jeans’ was the second of 6 fashion events over this Harvest Racing Festival at Listowel.
The other fashion events left this week are
• Thursday 22nd – the Ryles Menswear Best Dressed Man
• Friday 23rd – the McElligotts Kia Best Dressed Lady
• Saturday 24th – the Listowel Tidy Towns / An Taisce Sustainable Style competition.
All details on prizes and how to enter can be found on listowelraces.ie or follow #listowelraces for exclusive content.
Pictured: Tina O’Connor (sponsor), winners Mary Woulfe & Dominick Moloney and Larry O’Connor (sponsors) at the presentation for the “Forever in Blue Jeans’ fashion event, sponsored by O’Connors Hardware & Farm Supplies at Listowel Races on Monday 19th of September.
Photo by John Kelliher
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Couple’s dotty style wins Lyrath Estate Best Dressed Couple on opening day of Listowel Harvest Races
Pictured: Finalists and winners in the Lyrath Estate Hotel Best Dressed Couple 2022 from left: Barry O’Halloran, Eithne O’Riordan; winners – Jacy Ybanez (Tralee) and Brian O’Connor (Abbeyfeale) , Evan McAuliffe (Lyrath Estate), Gillian and Raymond Gilbourne, Sean and Kristy Keating. Photo John Kelliher
Huge crowds enjoyed the warm September sunshine and soaked up the incredible atmosphere at the opening day of the Listowel Harvest Racing Festival.
It was also the premier of the much anticipated Lyrath Estate Hotel Best Dressed Couple Competition … and glamorous couples from all over Ireland dressed to impress to catch the eye of fashion judge, top radio and TV personality, Elaine Kinsella. After much deliberation, it was fashion forward couple Jacy Ybanez (Tralee) and Brian O’Connor (Abbeyfeale) who had brilliantly co ordinated their monochrome dotty style to secure first place – winning the title Lyrath Estate Hotel Best Dressed Couple 2022 and a two night luxury escape to Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny, with dinner on one evening and an Afternoon Tea! The first two runners up, super stylish Raymond and Gillian Gilbourne and Eithne O’Riordan and Barry O’Halloran (who honeymooned 30 years ago at Listowel Races and were here celebrating their anniversary) won an overnight stay for two in a Deluxe Room at Lyrath Estate. 3rd runner up Sean and Kristy Keating won two tickets each to the 3 day Listowel June Bank Holiday 2023 festival. The presentations in the parade ring were made by Evan McAuliffe on behalf of Lyrath Estate Hotel.
The Lyrath Best Dressed Couple Competition was the first of 6 fashion events over this Harvest Racing Festival at Listowel.
Sunday was also family day and Mickey and Minnie Mouse were greeted with rapturous delight by hundreds of excited children of all ages. There was also Giggles Entertainment free disco, face painting and balloons and the free Wooly Farm with chicks, guinea pigs, hens, ducks, rabbits, lambs, piglets and pygmy goats, plus Roo the Llama!. The opening day’s card was sponsored by Kerry Group with feature race the Kerry Group Steeplechase €40,000.
The Listowel Harvest Racing Festival continues until Saturday 24th September
The 7 day Listowel Harvest Racing Festival continues up to and including Saturday 24th of September. Celebrated as one of the longest established race meetings in Ireland – Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday are all National Hunt meetings and Tuesday & Thursday feature an all Flat race card. There is something for everyone of all ages including six fashion competitions with dedicated days for Ladies, Men, Couples, Sustainable / Vintage, Blue Jeans and Fancy Dress; exceptional free children’s entertainment; live music and some very special celebrity guests. Plus the ‘Save your Heels, We’ve got Wheels’ free double decker bus is back on Ladies Day!
FRIDAY 23RD OF SEPTEMBER: The Ladies take over on Friday! This is the 8th year of McElligotts sponsorship of this prestigious fashion event and they are delighted to welcome on board Kia Ireland as official event co-sponsors. Judged by Bairbre Power, fashion writer; Aoife McNamara, Irish fashion designer, the fantastic first prize is a trip for two to New York with spending money. There are also generous cash prizes of €1,000 for the Most Creative Headpiece and €500 for the Most Contemporary Outfit. The feature race is The Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle €80,000 (Grade B) and the first race on Friday is at 1.40pm. All aboard. . . . as the famous open top Double Decker Bus is back to transport everyone in comfort and style from the centre of Listowel town to the races from 11.30am.
SATURDAY 24TH OF SEPTEMBER: The M.J. Carroll Handicap Hurdle €21,000 is the feature race on the last day of the meeting, Saturday and the first race is off at 1.40pm. Listowel Races were the first course to host a sustainable focussed fashion competition and thanks to organisers Listowel Tidy Towns and An Taisce, this competition which promotes and celebrates up-styling, recycling and vintage / pre loved style has continued to grow in popularity. Top international model, Sydney Sargent will judge this year and there are prizes for both male and female entrants.
There will also be live music each day and a wide selection of catering facilities on course including excellent corporate entertainment packages. Tickets can be purchased online or at turnstiles on the day for €25 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday, with a 20% discount for groups of 20 or more. Visit www.listowelraces.ie for more information and follow the hashtag #listowelraces on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and to join the conversation!
