There has been a broad welcome from campaigners at the news that the Rose of Tralee is gay.

In a newspaper interview yesterday, Philadelphia Rose Maria Walsh said being gay was completely normal for her.

Ms Walsh (27), originally from Boston, grew up in the south Mayo village of Shrule.

She studied at Griffith College Dublin before moving back to the United States in 2010.

She now works as a studio manager for a clothing and lifestyle brand in Philadelphia.

David Carroll is director of Belong To Youth Service, which provides services for young gay, bisexual and transgender people.

He says barriers are finally being broken down.