She only had two hours of sleep, but yesterday morningthe new Rose of Tralee looked as fresh as a daisy in a chiffon dress covered in flowers, writes Róisín Ingle in Tralee
Dublin Rose Órla Tobin's day began with a twirl on the Big Wheel, while later plans included a trip to the greyhound track and a supermarket. The glamorous world of the Rose of Tralee is hers to enjoy for the next 12 months.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet. I'm sure it will over the next couple of days," said the 22-year-old payments investigator with Bank of Ireland Treasury and International, with what is left of her voice. "I still can't believe it."
A lot of people made money last night on the Dublin Rose, whose parents come from Co Kerry and Co Limerick. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Royston Brady, had a €100 bet on her at 14 to 1, and her boss sent a text message to say he had backed his employee to the tune of €1,000.
"He said in the text message, 'See you whenever'," said the former model from Tallaght, who was looking forward to a few days' grace before she is back behind her desk.
Órla gave up fashion for the financial world because she had issues with the industry. "I don't agree with it. I don't agree with the pressures put on young girls to be stick-thin. If you are size 12 or size 14, it doesn't matter - it's what's inside that counts," she said. "I was told to stop drinking milk because it was bloating my face . . . It wasn't for me".
With increased TV audience figures, the new-look Rose of Tralee contest was adjudged a success by organisers, largely due to the fact that, for once, the presenter wasn't old enough to be the Rose's father.
Speaking after Órla had been crowned, new host Ryan Tubridy (30) said he had been advised to "slow down, stop fidgeting and hold back", after his first-night performance.
"I followed all three bits of advice and I thought it was a stronger performance," he said, adding that he had made no decision about returning to Tralee next year.
Asked whether it was true he received €10,000 as payment, he would only say "speculation is part of the business".
It can't be ignored that this year the contest was given a subtle face-lift, whether it was the introduction of an open contest to recruit escorts, or the new Rose being serenaded by a trio of female sopranos instead of, as was traditional, a male member of the Garda band.
We know from the experience of last year's winner Tamara Gervasoni - who was arrested for allegedly shoplifting, before going public about her eating disorder - that the fortunes of the Rose of Tralee can no longer be predicted. Determined to capitalise on this, organisers are expected to inject more meaning into the role during the year.
Sure, there will be supermarket openings, balls and charity work aplenty for Órla Tobin. But after last year observers will be on the alert for anything out of the ordinary. "I'm a different person, a different personality, a different Rose. It's going to be a different year for me," she said herself yesterday.
Meanwhile, Boylesports bookies in Tralee were offering 10-1 that the Rose will be arrested during the year. Such local irreverence is just another sign of the changing times in the world of the Rose of Tralee.