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With only four weeks to go to the most prestigious event in the country’s racing calendar, sponsors of this year’s Best Dressed Lady Competition, Kilkenny, have unveiled this year’s celebrity judge—the fabulous Maura Derrane. Joining Maura to cast their expert eyes on Thursday July 30th will be some of the crème de la crème of the Irish Fashion Industry, including Irish Independent and Weekend Magazine Fashion Editor Bairbre Power, Image Publications Editor-in-Chief Melanie Morris and Catwalk Model Agency Owner Mandy Maher.

Host of RTÉ’s The Today Show, Aran Islands native and mum to year-old Cal, Maura is set to make a glamorous return to the Galway Races Festival as Kilkenny’s Best Dressed Lady Judge. Renowned for her classic, elegant style, Maura is a sure choice for this year’s Best Dressed judging panel and is excited to see ladies from all over the country turn out in style.

“I am thrilled to be judging Kilkenny’s Best Dressed Lady at the Galway races this year. Ladies’ Day in Galway is so glamorous and great fun so I know I will be spoiled for choice when choosing a winner! It’s great to see Kilkenny on board as the competition’s new sponsor; I love the fact that Kilkenny are passionate about support Irish so I’m hoping to see plenty of home-grown design at this year’s Ladies Day on July 30!”

With prizes on the day for Best Dressed, Best Irish Design and Best Hat, the stakes have never been higher! The winner of the overall Kilkenny’s Best Dressed will receive a spectacular prize worth over €10,000, including a shopping spree at Kilkenny, a 5* luxury break with Bluebook Ireland, a new wardrobe courtesy of Aideen Bodkin, stunning Irish jewellery by Maureen Lynch, a bespoke crystal trophy by Waterford Crystal, €1,000 haircare from Peter Mark and a beautiful cosmetics package worth €1,000 from Lancôme.

The Kilkenny Group, the family run retailer and promoter of Irish design for more than five decades, was announced in May as the new sponsor of the coveted Best Dressed Competition at Galway Races Ladies’ Race Day—the first new sponsor of the event in 13 years. Kilkenny’s Marketing Director Greg O’Gormon said that as one of the biggest events in the country’s racing calendar, the Kilkenny Group is delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Best Dressed Lady Competition.

“We’re delighted to have a fantastic team of judges for this year’s competition withMaura, Bairbre, Melanie and Mandy on board, and we hope ladies will make a conscious effort to wear and support Irish brands this year!”

Long on to KilkennyShop.com or visit one of Kilkenny’s thirteen stores nationwide for the latest racing fashion and accessories. Visit GalwayRaces.com for tickets and information on this year’s Galway Races Summer Festival Meeting July 27th–August 2nd.