The Luxembourg Rose, Nicola McEvoy, was last night crowned the 2012 Rose of Tralee.
Originally from Co Cork, the 26-year-old works as a secondary school teacher at the European School of Luxembourg.
Speaking on RTÉ 2fm's Breakfast with Hector on Wednesday morning, she said she was "really looking forward" to her year as Rose of Tralee and said she had "slept for about two hours" since her win.
"To be honest, I don't know if it's hit me fully yet," she said. "I woke up then and saw the crown lying on the opposite bed and I said, 'Oh my God'."
Hector later relayed what he believes are the privileges that come with being Rose of Tralee.
"You've got the power now to do lots more things than just be Rose of Tralee," he said. "You are allowed walk out in Croke Park whenever you want, so there's no problem getting tickets for the All-Ireland Football Final if you beat Donegal.
"You have the power to read the Nine O'Clock News on RTÉ.
"You can turn up at any function – wedding, Christening, baptism, wake, anything in the country – and just unannounced, gatecrash, walk in the door, and say, 'Howaya, I'm the Rose of Tralee'.
"And you have a lifetime membership to Copper Face Jacks – you do not have to queue; there's a special door for the Rose of Tralee."
Reacting to the announcement of her win on Tuesday night, McEvoy said: "That is completely unexpected, thank you so much to everybody. And thank you to all the wonderful girls and all the wonderful friends I've made over the past 10 days. I can't believe it, oh my God."
McEvoy was crowned by last year's winner, Queensland Rose Tara Talbot.
Watch the final part of the show on the RTÉ Player here.
