RTÉ’s Dáithí Ó Sé announced the result in front of almost one million television viewers and an audience of 2000 people in the Festival Dome last night.
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“The Rose of Tralee is something I really believe in and something very close to my heart”, said Méabh.
Ms McEldowney saw off competition from 64 other Roses to clinch the title on the last night of the two-part TV final.
O’Connor, who took to the stage while the Cavan Rose Lisa Reilly was being interviewed was first tackled by two men, before a third man helped drag him offstage.
Before the winning rose has even been picked, this year’s Rose of Tralee is already proving an internet hit – here’s why.
However, there was no luck for Clare Rose, Leah Kenny of Barefield.
Maggie, 27, is a Chicago native with family links to Derry and is a director of development for a High School.
After earning the Chick Evans Scholarship to the University of IL, she graduated with a degree in Media Studies in 2011.
In her free time, Maggie serves on the Board of the Young Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, a committee responsible for coordinating fundraisers that celebrate Irish culture.
The McEldowneys hail from Draperstown, Co.
65 Roses had travelled to Tralee for the festival, with only 32 to appear in the next stage.
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Singer Nathan Carter serenaded the Rose with the classic Rose of Tralee song at the end of the ceremony.
