Latest news with #GalwayRaces
Irish Examiner
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
O'Sullivan eyeing more Galway Races gains
Ross O'Sullivan is readying a strong squad for this season's Galway Races after enjoying a fruitful meeting last year. The stable sent out three winners for the showpiece fixture 12 months ago, all of whom return to the track this time around alongside further hopes both on the Flat and under the National Hunt code. Donnie Devito, who took the Guinness Novice Hurdle last year, turns his hand to chasing and will take on stablemate and fellow Galway winner Talk In the Park over fences. "The three winners from last year will go there, unfortunately two of them are taking each other on," said O'Sullivan. "Donnie Devito and Talk In The Park will both go for the beginners' chase on Friday." Volantis bids to retain his title in the Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, whereas smart bumper horse turned hurdler Strong Link makes his Galway debut and the Listed winner Chally Chute aims to go one better than last year's effort in the Guinness Handicap. O'Sullivan said: "Volantis, last year's winner of the good handicap which now runs on the Saturday will go back for that. He's had a prep run on the Flat like last year and much the same preparation as last year. "Strong Link has won a bumper and maiden hurdle, he goes for the novice hurdle that Donnie Devito won last year. "The young pretender is Strong Link, he hasn't put a foot wrong and has good winter form in bumpers. "He's transferred that to winning in the summer and because he's up and coming he'd be the one that we're really looking forward to. "Last year Chally Chute was second in the good Flat handicap over a mile and a half, the Guinness Handicap. He goes back for the same race again having won a Listed race."
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
‘Behind the glamour of Ladies' Day, many women will be quietly struggling with urinary incontinence' – gynaecologist on what can help
Today at 00:30 The countdown is on to the Galway Races but behind the glamorous outfits, many women will be suffering in silence and making their wardrobe choices not just around style, according to a medical specialist. 'The reality is they are selecting outfits that will conceal bulges, hold them in and minimise the risk of embarrassing urinary leaks,' consultant gynaecologist Dr Orla Conlon said.
Extra.ie
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
In Pics: The countdown is on for this year's Galway Races
The Galway Races is always a standout highlight in the social calendar. This year's festivities kicked off at the Radisson RED Hotel in Galway. Guests were welcomed by Dr Colm O'Flaherty, newly-appointed chairman of the Galway Races committee and CEO Michael Moloney. Best Dressed judges Mandy Maher, Ella & Jo co-founder Niamh and Lisa McGowan at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy Gemma Ní Chionnaith hosted the launch as attendees were given an exclusive preview of what this year's festival has in store. A highlight of the day was the fashion panel, where experts Mandy Maher, Marietta Doran and Lisa McGowan took to the stage to discuss all things racewear. Marietta Doran, Mandy Maher and Lisa McGowan at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy Lisa McGowan, who was crowned Best Dressed Lady at the Galway Races in 2016, will return to this year's festival as a guest judge. Lisa McGowan at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy She will join head judge Mandy Maher and Ella & Jo co-founder Niamh Ryan to judge the Best Dressed Competition. Mandy Maher at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy Irish skincare brand Ella & Jo has been announced as sponsor of the highly coveted competition on Ladies Day. Ella & Jo co-founder Niamh Ryan at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy Speaking about the news, Niamh Ryan, co-founder of Ella & Jo, said: 'Ladies Day has always been about expressing your individuality and celebrating personal style,' Alan Clarke and Kieran O'Malley at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy 'We're so excited to bring that same sense of fun and confidence to this year's event, and we can't wait to see the incredible outfits on show!' Dearbhla Silke, Niamh Donovan and Emily Jean O'Byrne at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy 'To be back here as a judge feels like a full-circle moment for me,' Lisa McGowan added. Leonie Morelli, Hayley Coleman and Simona Va at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy 'I'll be keeping an eye out for individuality and confidence – those little touches that make someone stand out.' Pam Richardson at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy More than 130,000 revellers are expected to descend on Ballybrit between Monday, July 28, and Sunday, August 3. Hayley Doherty at the launch of the Galway Races 2025, at the Radisson RED Galway, which features the Ella & Jo Best Dressed Competition on July 31. Pic: Brian McEvoy Ladies Day at the Galway Races will take place on Thursday, July 31.
Irish Independent
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Galway Races fires starting pistol on festival with stylish launch on hotel rooftop –‘The excitement is unbelievable'
The glamorous event took place at Lena's Rooftop Bar as the glitterati of Galway came out to celebrate the momentous occasion. The evening was expertly MCed by broadcaster Gemma Ní Chionnaith, with special guest appearances from Mandy Maher, head judge of the iconic Ladies Day; Lisa McGowan, this year's Ladies Day Guest Judge; and Marietta Doran, host of Athlone Towncentre's Friday's Most Stylish competition. The event also celebrated key sponsorship milestones, including Diageo's 60th year of partnership with the Galway Races, Tote's 15th year sponsoring the historic Galway Plate, and Chanelle Pharma's 40th year supporting the Leading Trainer Award. Now in its 156th year, Galway Races is all set to fire the starting pistol on another run at Ballybrit with hopes for this turn to be better than ever. 'What we try to do is we build them over what we had here for years,' said Chairman of the Galway Races Committee Dr. Colm O'Flaherty. 'So it'll be fun, always a bit of craic, always superb racing and the excitement is unbelievable. What we always try and do is leave it a bit better every year. 'We've done a few physical changes with the racecourse this year, the enclosure, the parade ring. So it'll be as good as it's always been and hopefully better. As usual, Race Week will begin on Monday July 28 and canters on through until Sunday. With a jam-packed schedule of events, there's plenty to look forward to on each day – but Colm has a soft spot for one. He said: 'When I wasn't on committee, I used to love the Friday. It's the day when the people were always [at their best]. Thursdays is a superb day, but it's a day of its own, it's Ladies' Day and it has a complete life of its own, independent of the horses. Whereas Friday, Friday is a day when a lot of locals would leave maybe a couple of hours early at 3 o'clock and you'd meet them all up at the races. So Friday was a great local day.' No stranger to Galway's style scene, Lisa McGowan won the prestigious Ladies Day Competition in 2016. Originally from Tullamore, since her win she has built one of Ireland's most trusted and successful platforms, racking up 200,000 loyal followers on social media. She said of taking on the judging role: 'I'm absolutely thrilled to be invited back to the Galway Races as the Guest Judge for Ladies Day 2025. 'This event holds a very special place in my heart, ever since I won Ladies Day myself in 2016. The style, the atmosphere, and the incredible talent in fashion make it one of the highlights of the Irish social calendar, and I can't wait to celebrate all the amazing looks and creativity on the day.' Lisa will be joining Ladies Day Head Judge Mandy Maher on the day. In her fourth year as head judge, Mandy said she still carries the privilege of winning her award with her: 'It's the one award, particularly in the industry that I'm in, that you would want to win. It was massive. I'd say they thought I'd never stop talking! It was brilliant, it was great, I'm very proud, but I'm carrying that award for people from the country that work extra hard.' Also attending the launch was newly-elected Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard, who was only too delighted to extoll the significance of the event. 'It's massive, I suppose it's the biggest race festival in the world, you ask me. And if you ask anybody around the world, where's the best racing festival, it's Galway' he said. 'It's not just because of the racing, it's the whole package you get. It's for all the family. Again, whether you an average race goer and know your horses inside out, whether you're just somebody going for a small bet, there's something in Ballybrit for everybody.' He added: 'Seven days a week, the entertainment is fantastic. So it's there for everybody to see, all the family to enjoy, it's a massive event and massive for Galway City.'
