The 2016 Rose of Tralee is the Chicago Rose: Maggie McEldowney.
The infamous annual competition celebrated it’s 57th year with 65 Roses, and for the first time ever culling down the Roses to just 32 for the finals.
Beating off stiff competition, Maggie stood back in shock as dozens of other Roses rushed to congratulate her on stage.
Winner:Â Maggie McEldowney is the new Rose of Tralee
The 2015 Rose of Tralee Elysha Brennan presented Maggie with her crown and sash on the stage as the audience cheered on the winner.
Maggie, 27, is a Chicago native with family links to Derry and is a director of development for a High School.
“My grandparents instilled in me the importance of family, which is an element of Irish culture I value most in my life,” she said on the lead up to the competition.
Singer Nathan Carter serenaded the Rose with the classic Rose of Tralee song at the end of the ceremony.
