WATCH: Rose of Tralee 'it was the best shock in the world'

NEW York Rose, Róisín Wiley, who was crowned the International Rose of Tralee on Tuesday night, has revealed that "it was the best shock in the world".

The 27-year-old was up bright and early for a photoshoot in the iconic Rose Garden in the Kerry town after a night of celebrating with her family and other rose contestants. 

"I'm overwhelmed with excitement and just shocked, it's unbelievable," she said.

Speaking about the moment that hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas called her name out, the Yonkers native explained her shock: "I felt like a deer in headlights, honestly, I'm so glad the girls ran around me and hugged me, it was the best shock in the world but it was definitely not expected".

With strong Limerick connections through her parents, her Dad from Kilmallock and her Mother from Templeglantine, she has grown up steeped in Irish culture and GAA and now the Rose of Tralee. 

"I think that's the thing, ever since I was named the New York Rose, it has felt so much bigger than myself, my family has rallied behind me so strongly and it's an honour for me and my family to be holding this title for the next year," she told the Limerick Leader/ Limerick Live. 

Róisín with strong Limerick roots crowned the International Rose of Tralee 2023

Last week the Rose of Tralee Official Tour stopped in Limerick City and Róisín revealed that her father, Eddie, changed his screen saver on his phone of a photo of Declan Hannon to his daughter and he travels home every year to watch them play in Croke Park. 

While she added that she's going to take her reign one day at a time, she would love to have a homecoming in Limerick. 

"I'm taking it minute by minute but I would hope to get to stop in Limerick. I was thinking with the homecoming for an International Rose, it's a bit of a unique position, Limerick would be my home here in Ireland so I'd love to think that that would happen," she added.