Rose of Tralee winner Maria Walsh has spoken publicly about her sexuality, revealing she is gay.

The Philadelphia Rose, who was born in Boston but moved to Mayo since age seven, told the Irish Sun on Sunday: “Being gay and in a gay relationship is just one of the many things I identify and associate with. I’m confident in who I am as a person. I told my parents and they were supportive, as I knew they would be.

"I'm confident in who I am as a person," Walsh added.

"I'm not ashamed of my sexuality by any means.

"The Rose of Tralee is about celebrating women's intelligence, careers, their volunteer work. The question of sexuality never came up. To me, being gay is normal; it's natural."

“If this can help any person to feel more comfortable with who they are, I’m happy.”

The official Rose of Tralee Twitter account published a message of support following Walsh’s announcement

We are delighted Maria is our #RoseofTralee. She is a wonderful, attractive, intelligent woman who happens to be gay http://t.co/yv3ZznIPJh

— Rose of Tralee (@RoseofTralee_) August 24, 2014