'Went to bed at 5am!' - but Limerick's Eva still turns heads in Galway

Eva Hayes Morrissey from Ahane, Co Limerick on Ladies Day of the Galway Races Summer Festival. PICTURE: Andrew Downes, xposure | Andrew Downes, xposure

placeholder image — Eva Hayes Morrissey from Ahane, Co Limerick on Ladies Day of the Galway Races Summer Festival. PICTURE: Andrew Downes, xposure | Andrew Downes, xposure

Despite calling it a night at 5am, Eva Hayes Morrissey returned to the racecourse only hours later in a stylish ensemble

A 5am bedtime couldn't keep Eva Hayes Morrissey away from the Galway Races, as the Limerick woman returned to Ballybrit for Ladies' Day just hours later.

With the early opening of turnstiles at 11:15 am for Ladies Day, Eva stunned in an outfit she said was “high-fashion” but “kept the elegance as well.”

Finalist Eva Hayes Morrissey from Ahane, Co Limerick on Ladies Day of the Galway Races Summer Festival. PICTURE: ANDREW DOWNES, XPOSURE | Andrew Downes, xposure

Laughing with RTE, Eva said, “I went to bed at 5 o’clock this morning, and here we are again doing it all over again!”

Having attended the races since she was 17-years-old, Eva says she “likes to experiment” with her outfits as she continues to amaze crowds with her unique looks.

“Caithriona King made the headpiece. I designed the outfit myself and Julie Caulfield made it. I can’t make, but I have it in my head. We collaborate and then we put it together.”

Eva shared that her original monochrome look was a two-piece accentuated by classy accessories, which has since been viewed over 100,000 times on social media.

“It’s actually a black dress, with a tuxedo shirt underneath it. Then I just set it off with the tie, and an equine horse tie pin,” Eva explained.

A geography and history teacher at Castletroy College, Eva’s style has been recognised on many occasions, having won Most Stylish Lady at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby in The Curragh in 2016 and Most Stylish Lady at Limerick Racecourse in 2013.

Taking home the coveted €10,000 Best Dressed Lady prize was 37-year-old Lisa Walsh, whose standout look captivated the judges with its elegance, originality and attention to detail.

The Dunboyne woman wowed the judges in a dress by ‘only one Ashley’, paired with a rented hat and handbag.

In the Best Hat Competition, Maksuda Akhter, an actress and model from Malahide, was awarded the title for a striking headpiece by Fiona Rafter, recognised for its creativity, craftsmanship and race-day flair.