Ladies toast half a century of racing

TRADITION can be a hard task master to please but for Killarney ladies Ita Looney and Eileen O’Callaghan, a sacred 50-year tradition of sartorial elegance at Killarney Races was upheld thanks to a novel idea by the racecourse management.

Ita and Eileen have been attending Ladies’ Day at Killarney Races for half a century. They had all but resigned themselves to the fact they would be unable to attend this year’s event due to COVID-19 when Killarney Racecourse and Dawn Dairies decided to make their day.

The fashionistas were told to prepare and dress as they normally would for Ladies’ Day. They were invited to the scenic track where they were wined and dined in memorable fashion.

“We had a lovely day and we were presented with a beautiful bouquet of flowers,” Ita said.

The year 1992 stands out most for Ita as her daughter, aged 19 at the time, was a runner-up on Ladies’ Day. In 2003 Ita came third in the event.

“I really love the races. Getting dressed up is such a special part of racing nowadays. A place like Killarney Races makes it all the more amazing,” Ita said.

Eileen O’Callaghan has a life-long love of horse racing and attending meetings in Killarney. As her late husband kept horses racing is a special pastime for her.

“It’s beautiful to be there and feel the buzz of the place. It keeps you young. I love the horses and I always enjoy the fashion,” she said.

Eileen is delighted that fashion and ladies’ day has become such an integral part of the race day experience for so many women all over the country.

“I have a feeling if we could just get a cure for this virus, then next year at Killarney Races could be a bumper year. If we could just get through this

year.” Eileen continued: “It’s not the same watching it on television, you miss the crowd and that festive environment. No matter how busy I would be I’d always make the effort to dress up and go racing. It’s lovely to be involved. We got a lovely surprise with champagne and flowers. We appreciate it.”

Declan Sheehan from Dawn Milk was on hand with the champers to Eileen O’Callaghan (middle) and Ita Looney (left) from Killarney after Killarney Race Company gave them the race course for a VIP afternoon to enjoy their 50th year at the races. The two women had a fabulous day out .