Hello Dolls,
Day 1 of the Galway Races has started as I am writing this. (Small fist pump and woop!)
So its exactly 3 days till the famous Ladies Day.
This will be my last post on this series, I really hoped you liked this or got some ideas.
In this post I wanted to share with you what the races will offer and some events and places to visit once you leave the racecourse. If your not from Galway it may give you some ideas to visit and whats on.
"The Galway Racecourse"
One advice I would give is get their as soon as possible, traffic will be mad the later you leave it. So plan your transport. To get into the racecourse it will cost €30 on Ladies Day itself. There will be such an atmosphere as soon as you get through the turnstiles.
Obviously besides the racing the other main event will be the Best Dressed Lady.
This year the Best Dressed Lady event is sponsored for the first time by the Kilkenny Group.
Their is also two other awards for Best Hat & Best Irish. The judges will wander around the crowds and pick you out to be brought to the Kilkenny tent adjacent to the Champagne tent. Finalists will be picked by 2.30pm and the winning outfits will be announced by 3.30pm. Prizes will be given out before the 5th race. This years Celebrity Judge is Today Show`s Galway native Maura Derrane.
The prize for the Best Dressed Lady will amount to a wopping €10,000. It includes:
A shopping spree with Kilkenny,
5* Luxury Break with Blue Book Ireland,
New wardrobe courtesy of Aideen Bodkin,
Irish jewellery by Maureen Lynch,
Bespoke trophy by Waterford Crystal,
€1,000 Haircare package from Peter Mark,
Cosmetic package at €1,000 from Lancome
(I really would not mind that prize.. ;) ..)
If you are looking for inspiration, last years winner 2014, Helen Murphy wore:
A mint Green skirt and White top from Coast,
Aisling Maher coloured pearl necklace and white disc embellished with brooches from Dunnes Stores. Plus a 1950`s vintage Walborg clutch and shoes from Nine West.
picture from Galway races website
So what about the racing....what races will take place that day? Well here you go!!..
1.50: The Guinness Dublin Porter Beginners Steeplechase
2.20: The Guinness Novice Steeplechase
3.00: The Hop House 13 Handicap
3.40: The Arthur Guinness European Breeders Fund Corrib Fillies Stake
4.15: The Guinness Novice Hurdle
4.55: The Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap *The Big One the Day*
5.35: The Guinness 50th Anniversary Handicap
6.05: The Guinness West Indies Porter Flat Race
Best of luck to you all betting, remember their are independent bookmakers and tote bookmakers on the racecourse, so it worth a €1 or €2... :)
Another part of the races is the socialising. Who doesnt love the craic and bants? So where is the places to be or what has the Galway racecourse to offer?
On Course Restaurants & Bars:
Killanin Stand:
Ground Floor offers a take-away restaurant where you can get fast food, tea, coffee, minerals and a full bar
1st Floor their is a carvery based restaurant and bar.
2nd Floor is the PLATE HOSPITALITY SUITE, it caters the ultimate racing experience, being luxurious and great views.
3rd Floor is the HURDLE HOSPITALITY SUITE, again luxurious setting and great views of the race track.
"Packages in Silver & Gold available for both the Plate & Hurdle Hospitality Suites."
Millennium Stand:
Ground Floor caters The Long Bar with hot food , tea and drinks
1st Floor has The Ballybritt Bar which only serves drinks
2nd Floor has The Aran Bar which caters hot food and drinks aswell as access to the balcony seating area. It also has The Kinvara Bar
3rd Floor has The Corrib Bar, which is also the top floor and is reserved for patron using reserved balcony area, it also served food and a variey of tapas.
Also on the 3rd Floor is the Panoramic Restaurant which has a great view of the winning post.
"Packages available for the Panoramic Restaurant"
On the Ground!
The Carvery Restaurant:
Serving food an 2 hours before the races and 1 hour after. A great self service setting. Serving lunch, snacks, sandwiches, soup, desserts, teas and drinks.
Racers Fast Food Restaurant:
Range of fast food, located rear of stands
Champagne Tent:
I think a tent most ladies will be visiting.:) Located adjacent to the main tote building.
The Guinness Tent:
Located rear of the stands, the Guinness tent will serve the obvious creamy pints of Guinness and serving oysters and smoked salmon & brown bread.
The Budweiser Tent:
Located behind the main tote and adjacent the parade ring. I think it will be one for the lads.:)
Mayors Garden Area:
Located on the western part of the grounds and accessible to everyone. It houses a Big Screen, Food Outlets, Bar Area, Bookmakers ring & Champagne tent. Picnic area also so families.
"The Afters!"
So you have won your money at the races. (well we do like to hope!). Where do you go from their. Galway itself, will be buzzing without a doubt. So no matter where you do their will be a great vibe and great reception. Here are just some of my picks!
The Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa Galway:
The radisson is known as one the best party events during Race Week & it doesnt disappoint.
Located on Lough Atalia (close to the bus stations)
On Ladies Day the radisson offer food all day and evening some burgers and hotdogs on the terrace. So whether you want a restaurant or bar food or even sushi experience, it will cater for your needs.
It also will hold some great entertainment:
On the Veranda you will have dance hits from all the eras
Inis Mor Bar having "The 80s Band" with some classic hits
Terrace will have tunes early in the afternoon from resident DJ 2pm-4.30pm and Late night floorfillers from 9pm-Late
image from Radisson Galway Facebook
An Pucan:
Located on 11 Forster Street, Eyre Sq. Possibly the one the best bars for the fun and craic. An Pucan have opened a new Garden also with caters an Absolute bar. They also cater food from Breakfast till Dinner, so your before and after needs will be catered for. As for drinks, they have a the great whiskey, craft beers and a selection of cocktails. So everyone is catered for. One the newest and best outside garden bars, so if about #TheGarden.
Music will be available all week also.
image from An Pucan facebook
McGettigans:
Located on 9-11 Prospect Hill.
One the newest bars opened in Galway and one that is booming also. Food on race week will be served from 10am and some late bites till 1am. So no reason to go hungry. McGettigans are also running a social media competition with a €200 prize voucher for Brown Thomas. All you need to do is take a picture of your hat and upload and tag McGettigans. Using Instagram @mcgettiganspubs with hashtag #McGettigansGWY
Twitter @mcgettigansgwy with hash tag #McGettigansGWY
So well worth that photo!!
Music will be every night and free entry.
image from McGettigans facebook page
Seven Bar:
Located on 5-7 Bridge Street. Another new pub in the city. Seven have a great offer running for €20per person.
A glass of champagne prior departure
Return luxury coach transfer to and from racecourse
Champagne and canapes on return to Seven after races.
Music that day and night from The Good Hustle, Dj Gary and The Lock-Ins.
Another great bar for the day.
image from seven bar facebook page
Hotel Meyrick:
Another even taken place in the Hotel Meyrick, which is located on Eyre Square. The Most Stylish Lady will take place which contains a prize that totals €2,000. Judged by Irish model Rozanna Purcell, Mandy Maher and Mary Lee from Catwalk Modelling Agency.
The prize which is from Fallers Jewellery contains a package from Newbridge Silverware.
Music, Champagne and Cocktails available aswell as a Brunch in the Gaslight Bar & Brasserie.
image meyrick hotel facebook page
Claregalway Hotel:
If you want to retreat away from the city,then head to claregalway.
The most stylish lady competition will also take place here with amazing prizes worth €5,000.
Makeup Lesson from the School of Makeup Artistry
Diamond Pendent from Center Jewellers
Outfit of choice from Concepts Ladies Fashion Oranmore
Head Piece from Michael Mullins Millinery
Beauty Package from The Sanctuary Beauty Salon
His/Her membership of Core Fitness
Romantic Dinner for 2 at Claregalway Hotel
Guest Judge is non other then beauty blogger and makeup artist Joanne Larby aka The Makeup Fairy
image from joanne larby facebook
I don`t know about you all, but i am excited. :)
Whatever you do, be safe and look after eachother!
DISCLAIMER:I would like to state, I was not sponsored or asked to do this post, all in this post is my own thoughts and opinions and info I gathered and places I picked myself.
Enjoy Ladies day girls..
If you missed my other posts here they are again...
If you want to follow my social media, as I will be posting leading up and on the day please do..
Email: nataliekeanemua@gmail.com
Instagram: nataliekeanemua
Snap Chat: nataliekeanemua
Until next time...
P.s here are the links to everyone I mentioned:
