They queued, they waited, they entered in their droves but only one lucky lady could win. And this year, Claire Murphy from Tralee, Co. Kerry was deemed the Best Dressed Lady at the RDS Horse Show Ladies Day. 

Sponsored by Dundrum Town Centre, this year’s prize was €10,000 worth of Dundrum Town Centre vouchers – the dream for any fashion fan. But there could only be one to scoop the coveted title. 

Wearing a mint green headpiece by Kerry milliner and former Best Dressed winner Carol Kennelly, and a complimentary dress by Kerry designer Tina Griffin, the judges said Claire stood out from the crowd the minute they spotted her. 

The mother-of-one had no clue that she was about to be crowned winner, and was on the phone to her husband when her name was called out. 

‘My daughter is off to the Gaeltacht tomorrow so I was on the phone to my husband when my name was announced. I think I dropped it in shock, I don’t know where it is,’ she laughed. 

Speaking about the inspiration behind her stunning look, Claire says that it evolved around the headpiece: ‘I remember a couple of months ago I saw the apple green headpiece and worked the outfit around that. Carol said it was very different for her so I said, “I want it”. Then I went to Tina and she designed the dress around it.’

‘Usually I start with the dress but this time I saw the headpiece and started up there and moved my way down.

‘Carol and Tina are both friends of mine and they’re extremely talented so it’s hard to bypass them’

Thanks to the removable cape detail, Claire hopes to wear the dress again to an event in Kerry. ‘I would wear it to another event at home. Take off the cape and add an Obi belt.’

Rebecca Quigley won the prize for Elegance is an Attitude, while Brooke Sketchley was named as having the Most Creative Hat. By Aoibhinn McBride -EVOKE.IE

You can also view more ladies wearing Carol Kennelly Millinery in the above slideshow.