The 27 year-old originally from Boston, grew up in the south Mayo village of Shrule.
She was crowned the winner at the Dome in Tralee last night.
She studied at Griffith College Dublin before moving back to the states in 2010.
Maria now works as a Studio Manager for a clothing and lifestyle brand in Philadelphia.
Nenagh native Sarah Harrington represented South Australia in the competition; she currently lives in Adelaide and works as a physiotherapist.
The new Rose of Tralee says she is very proud to have been selected.
