Hats off to them all!

Cork was well dressed at this year’s RDS Dublin Horse Show with a few locals galloping to style success.

Over 420 people took to the Best Dressed stage at the 2025 RDS Dublin Horse Show and shared their look with MC Laura Woods and the two judges, Bairbre Power and Porreti Ireland judge Aoife McNamara. Many availed of a makeup touch-up by makeup artists from Irish beauty brand KASH Beauty.

Sustainability dominated the stage with hats created from recycled straws and outfits either upcycled or borrowed from rental stores or cherished vintage pieces passed down through generations.

The Best Hat category, sponsored by Ireland’s Blue Book, was won by Maritess McCarthy from Cork, who received a €,2000 voucher offering unparalleled opportunities for unique stays and fine dining experiences across Ireland. Maritess wore a hat by Sinead McKenna Millinery. The judges described the winning hat as “funky and quirky,” with Bairbre adding: “I spotted her first because of her incredible skirt made with Filipino fabric, and after I followed it through the crowd, the hat was just beautiful, like a satellite!”

This year’s Best Dressed winner was Nadine King from Dublin, who walked away €10,000 cash prize from Porreti.

The Best Dressed Duo, sponsored by Cashel Palace Hotel, was won by Gillian and Raymond Gilbourne from Cork who will both enjoy an overnight suite stay for two with dinner in the Michelin-starred Bishop’s Buttery and a €100 for The Boutique at Cashel Palace.

Speaking about the fashion, fashion luminary Bairbre Power who returning to the judging panel for the sixth consecutive year said: “The standard and the creativity this year was off the scale. The winner, Nadine, had me at hello. I saw her drifting through the crowd and hoped that she would enter. What a beautiful, chic outfit, I would love it in my own wardrobe!”