The sun came out just in time to show up a dazzling array of colours and style on Ladies’ Day at rainy Killarney Races.

Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh was born in Boston but raised in Shrule, Co Mayo.

The Rose of Tralee contest judges, headed by RTÉ’s Mary Kennedy, knew the winner, Maria Walsh, was gay.

Rose of Tralee organisers were unaware during the judging process that the 56th Rose, Maria Walsh, was gay, it emerged yesterday.