Viewers react as New Zealand Rose is crowned Rose of Tralee

The Rose of Tralee winner has been announced

21-year-old Keely O'Grady was named this year's winner and said winning is a total dream come true.

She is the third New Zealand Rose to win the competition.

Speaking about the honour of being crowned the Rose of Tralee, Keely said she can't "really put it into words".

She told hosts Kathryn Thomas and Dáithí Ó Sé: "I'm shaking so much right now.

"What I'm most looking forward to is doing this for my country. As someone from New Zealand, we've only had two New Zealand Roses, the last time was in 1988, so it does really mean a lot to me," she gushed.

Viewers were thrilled to see the Speech and Language Therapy student crowned the winner.

One wrote: "Lovely genuine girl. Delighted for her, she represents everything good as a International Rose."

Another shared: "Beautiful girl. So deserved!"

A third added: "SO incredibly proud of how Keely has presented herself on the world stage today as the New Zealand Rose."

"She was kind enough to join us at morning prayer on Sunday at John the Evangelist, Tralee. She stayed with us for coffee and a chat afterwards. A lovely person and a well-deserved win! Congratulations!," another person shared.

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