Speaking exclusively to the Limerick Chronicle, a tired sounding Leanne said she got very little sleep in the aftermath of her amazing win on the popular RTE show.

"I'm fine, I am absolutely flying it - I'm over the moon," she said. "I got exactly an hour and five minutes sleep before I had to get up and come home to Limerick because I wanted to be at the Parade and it was the best reception I've ever seen. I was in floods of tears."

She added, "It was just lovely to get back to everybody because I hadn't seen them in so long."

Asked if she could remember much of the moment she was announced as the winner she said: "straight away I got a fit of the shakes. I remember Brian Ormond had to cover it up with a video clip because I couldn't even talk. When I gathered myself he came back and asked me some questions and then they brought my family out on stage and that was me gone again!"

Asked if she knew what she was going to do with the €50,000 prize money she laughed, "I have no plans, but I'm open to suggestions!"

The 23 year old was obviously delighted and described the victory as life changing, but she still found time to thank her Limerick supporters. "The judges got the voting numbers and they told me the numbers had gone through the roof for the semi-final and final, people obviously got behind me and I am so grateful for that, it is just the most amazing feeling ever."