Vibrant Valerie is Winner Alright on Style Evening
Pictured at Tramore Style Evening is the Most Stylish winner Valerie McDonagh from Tramore, Co. Waterford, wearing a headpiece that was the crowning glory and is by Millinery by Mel, her light pink dress from Coast, her burgundy Coach bag and burgundy Toni Bianco shoes. Also pictured from left, Finalists Bill Comerford, Rathgormack, Co. Waterford and Laura Reville, Kilmore, Co. Wexford, Karl Casey, Chair of Tramore Racecourse, Shona Lyons from BEAT who was the event MC, Judge Louisa Murphy,, Finn Walsh from Waterford Castle who were the event sponsor, Finalists Veronica Murphy Ballyhack, Co. Wexford and Aoife Hennessy, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny. Photos: Patrick Browne.
Valerie McDonagh has been crowned Most Stylish at this year’s Tramore Style Evening, following a hugely successful day of racing, fashion and entertainment at Tramore Racecourse.
The annual Style Evening, sponsored by Waterford Castle Resort, attracted thousands of racegoers as Tramore hosted one of the highlights of its four-day August Racing Festival.
Valerie McDonagh, from Tramore, impressed judge Louisa Murphy with an elegant pink-and-burgundy look. A nutritionist by day with her business Superfood Preacher and a fashionista by night. Her headpiece was the crowning glory and is ' Millinery by Mel ', her light pink dress from Coast, her burgundy Coach bag and burgundy Toni Bianco shoes.
Valerie said she was “shocked” after being announced as the winner. “I just can’t believe it. I wasn’t expecting to win today. I was going in with the mindset that I’d be happy if I just got my name on the list. That was it. I definitely wasn’t expecting to win, so I’m absolutely delighted. I love style and putting outfits together. When I chose the hat, that was where the inspiration came from for the shoes and the dress.” Says Valerie.
The winner received €500 in cash, together with a two-night stay for two, including breakfast each morning and dinner on one evening at Waterford Castle Resort.
Taking the runner-up places were Bill Comerford from Rathgormack and Veronica Murphy from Wexford, who received Afternoon Tea for Two at Waterford Castle Resort and a Fourball Voucher for Waterford Castle Golf Club each and Aoife Hennessy and Laura Brevin were fourth and fifth runners-up, who each received a voucher and goodie bag for SAINTS Colour Specialists.
Judge Louisa Murphy, who was herself crowned Most Stylish at Tramore Racecourse last year, said she was hugely impressed by the standard of style on the day.
“I was genuinely blown away by the effort, creativity and attention to detail that went into the outfits. There were so many fantastic looks and people had really embraced the occasion. It made my job incredibly difficult because there were a number of people who could very easily have taken the title.
“In the end, it came down to those little details, how the whole look came together and, most importantly, the confidence of the person wearing it. I was delighted with the standard this year, and it was a real privilege to be able to judge it.” Louisa added: “Valerie was the first person I approached today; her headpiece first caught my eye and her outfit was beautifully put together around the headpiece, creating a stunning Ladies’ Day look. ”
Tramore Racecourse Manager Owen Byrne said this year’s festival had been a huge success, with Style Evening once again proving to be one of the key highlights of the summer racing calendar.
“The Tramore August Racing Festival continues to go from strength to strength and this year has been another hugely successful four days for the racecourse, the town and the wider region.
“Style Evening is always a very special part of the festival. The atmosphere, the crowds and the effort people put into their outfits make it a fantastic occasion, and this year we saw a really exceptional standard of style.
“The August Festival is also hugely important for Tramore as a major sporting, social and tourism event. It brings thousands of people to the town, supports local businesses and showcases Tramore and Waterford to visitors from across Ireland.
“We were delighted to see such a fantastic turnout and would like to thank everyone who came along, our sponsors, owners, trainers, jockeys, staff, volunteers and all of our supporters who help make the August Festival such a success.”
The Tramore August Racing Festival featured four days of racing, with 28 races and total prize money of €340,000, alongside fashion, entertainment and hospitality, attracting visitors and racing fans to the popular seaside town in Waterford.
