Limerick Rose Sinéad Flanagan has been crowned the 2019 International Rose of Tralee.
The 27-year-old junior doctor put her hand to her head when the result was announced in The Dome in Tralee on Tuesday night.
She told host Dáithí Ó Sé: "I think you can tell by me I'm a bit shocked alright!"
Sinéad described the experience as "amazing" and added that it was "just starting".
"It's Limerick's year," she said backstage. "We've had the All-Ireland, the league, the Munster final and now the Rose of Tralee. And Love Island! Yes, I forgot about Greg [O'Shea, Love Island winner] of course! We were in school together."
When asked how she felt when The Rose of Tralee was played for her, Sinéad replied: "I couldn't believe that it was being played for me. I've always loved the Rose of Tralee - especially that song.
"I think this was the first time I actually didn't cry when the Rose of Tralee was crowned!"
Sinéad's first press conference as the 2019 Rose of Tralee 🌹
— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 27, 2019
"It’s Limerick’s year" pic.twitter.com/fgrdHYVabD
The new Rose grew up in Mungret and now lives in Adare, Co Limerick.
After qualifying as a physiotherapist at University of Limerick, she studied Medicine in University College Cork and graduated in 2018.
