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LAST UPDATE | 23 Sep
THE TENSION WAS at fever pitch as The Traitors Ireland reached its much-anticipated finale.
After 11 episodes of scheming, challenges, and shocking betrayals, just five contestants remained: the two Traitors, Ben and Nick, and the three Faithfuls, Kelley, Oyin, and Vanessa.
The grand finale delivered on dramatic confrontations, clever strategy, and, of course, the ultimate reveal of who walked away with the prize.
Curious how the finale works and what it takes to win The Traitors? Lauren Boland has explained everything you need to know ahead of tonight’s episode.
Earlier, RTÉ gave us our first glimpse of the contestants and Siobhan McSweeney ahead of the final.
Ahead of the finale, the show seems to be already gearing up for season two.
Kite Entertainment, the production company behind The Traitors, is currently inviting applications for the next batch of contestants.
No strict requirements were listed – in other words, if you’re brilliant at backstabbing but terrible at sharing, you’re perfect for this.
Anyone interested can email traitors@kiteentertainment.com for more details.
The Journal reporter Lauren Boland is currently attending a live viewing of the finale alongside the contestants in Dublin.
The event certainly looks very on-brand.
Outside the live final of The Traitors, where cast will be watching the episode together… who’s going to win? #TraitorsIRL @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/TQEmaEZ9Ph
— Lauren Boland (@laurenanna_1) September 23, 2025
There’s still an hour to go until the episode kicks off, but some fans are prepping early.
Ready for the Finale #TraitorsIRE #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/VuOKslqCvO
— Alex O’Mahony (@alexomahony) September 23, 2025
In other dog-related Traitors news…
The wolfhounds have arrived for the live final #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/gKxTvOwsLd
— Lauren Boland (@laurenanna_1) September 23, 2025
Does everyone miss Paudie being in the show as much as we do?
We caught up with him ahead of the finale screening in Dublin, where he told us that he “enjoyed it” and “did his best for the most part”.
Gone but not forgotten Paudfather, the people’s Traitor.
Former Traitor Paudie is now swapping scheming for songs stage, starring in Al Porter’s Christmas panto Olly Goes to Oz.
The show runs at Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre from 19 December.
The show’s contestants are set to take their seats at a live viewing of the finale in Dublin soon.
The cast weren’t at the reception, they’ve been tucked away in a conference room nearby.
A booth at the reception is offering attendees a photo of themselves that the machine uses to reveal if they are a traitor or a faithful.
We can neither confirm nor deny if our reporter Lauren Boland is a faithful.
T-minus three minutes until the finale starts, time to stick the kettle on and get the snacks ready
Confused on how the last episode is going to play out?
Here’s an explainer of how the finale will decide on the winner/winners.
Alliances are showing their cards early: At the breakfast table, Kelley is pointing at Nick, while Oyin is convinced it’s Ben.
“I’m just putting two and two together,” Oyin said.
Talk about clairv-Oyin-ce! (yes I am proud of that one)
The cast of the Traitors have found their seats, and are now watching the finale
The cast of The Traitors Ireland enter the screening of the finale to massive applause 👏 Everyone’s in great spirits@thejournal_ie #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/pQcyue62M7
— Lauren Boland (@laurenanna_1) September 23, 2025
The breakfast spread of fresh fruit and pastries is looking as good as ever – some things never change, even in a Traitors finale
Host Siobhán McSweeney is in the house and reminding everyone what’s at stake. The prize pot currently sits at €32,900, but there’s still more on the line
The memes have started -
Oyin & Kelley’s big brains are finally suspecting the boys #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/arDLxGCaMi
— t ❤️🔥 (@swiftslorelai) September 23, 2025
The lads reckon they’ve got a good chance and are targeting Vanessa. Meanwhile, the girls are working hard to court Kelley’s vote
Siobhán McSweeney has just revealed that there’s €10,000 up for grabs in the final challenge. It’s going to be a race against time involving the elements, apparently
It’s all about the swing votes…
Talking about Kelley like she’s bloody Michigan in the US Presidential election 😂 #TraitorsIRL
— Jen (@JennyMcAD) September 23, 2025
At the live viewing reception, there were “ooohs” in the room as Oyin told Kelley at breakfast that she suspects Nick.
This was followed by applause as Oyin and Kelley discussed the theory that Nick and Ben could both be traitors.
In the front row of the viewing, Paudie laughed as the flashbacks showed Nick making his “tearing up the recruitment invite” motion that went on to be the source of discord between the two of them
The challenge is a big one, apparently involving the elements of earth, fire, water, air and spirit.
The group will eventually end up at the Spire of Lloyd, where you can apparently take a scenic tour for just 10 euro
https://www.discoverboynevalley.ie/whats-on/spire-lloyd-guided-tours-2025
The group has searched ancient ruins and found their first crystal, now they’re heading off somewhere in a viking-style boat
“Wow, I’m good at rowing,” Oyin said. Is there anything she can’t do?
While the others rowed, Kelley was tasked with steering.
The group has searched ancient ruins, rowed down a river, and taken a scenic helicopter ride to the Spire of Lloyd.
There, the group sprinted up 164 steps (yes we checked) with less than a minute left to secure the cash bonus
Ben and Nick trying to act natural #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/X5w9zAsQfw
— Centra Ireland (@CentraIRL) September 23, 2025
The contestants are having a great time at the live viewing watching the challenge, especially the finalists, who are laughing along at their on-screen antics
The Traitors has seemingly ushered in the return of peak Irish Twitter for one night only
At the live screening, there was big clap from Siobhán when the wolfhounds made an appearance on screen.
They are adorable in fairness -
Siobhán has just reminded everyone how the finale works: if only Faithfuls remain, they split the pot. If a Traitor survives, they take it all.
Stakes don’t get higher than this.
Oyin takes the lead at the round table, accusing Nick. Tensions have spiked.
Nick has tried to turn the tables on Vanessa, but Kelley doesn’t seem convinced.
“Why didn’t you try and defend Faye?” Kelley has asked the lads.
It’s going to be a close one. Two votes apiece for Nick and Vanessa — Kelley is the swing vote
Kelley has just voted – the faithful have caught another Traitor!
Nick has officially been banished
This is my Italia 90. #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/rpUASq5hl7
— Rory Cashin (@roarEcashin) September 23, 2025
The crowd (about 200-strong) at the RTÉ screening went wild as Nick was banished.
The applause lasted a good 20 seconds.
Now all four contestants are outside for the final rounds of voting. It looks absolutely freezing.
The final vote to banish again is cast, and all four choose to banish. A nation holds its breath.
Ben is out! The faithful have rooted out the last Traitor.
Do the remaining contestants trust each other enough to split the pot three ways?
I can't watch #TraitorsIrl pic.twitter.com/YUukJoEQ29
— Eimear (@MissEims) September 23, 2025
A second traitor out and another delighted round of applause from the crowd at the RTÉ.
Player Michele gave Ben a pat on the shoulder.
There’s a tense atmosphere at the screening as the crowd waits to find out whether the three women will end the game together or vote one of their own out.
The results are in: Kelley, Oyin, and Vanessa have voted to end the game. The Faithfuls take the prize together!
The trio will split €42,900 between them – meaning each gets an impressive €14,300.
Siobhán hailed the trio as the “Mná na hÉireann who took down the Traitors.”
They’ve earned those glasses of bubbly.
Vanessa has reflected on the chaos: “In a room full of people you can’t trust, it’s nice to know that there’s at least two.”
#traitorsirl pic.twitter.com/6LcFVv17ob
— noel (@noelyboiii) September 23, 2025
Oyin has been speaking on her gamplay strategy on The Traitors Uncloaked.
“I went in deciding to speak less and listen more. I’d spend round tables just observing — like clocking Eamonn’s micro-expressions or realising he kept staring at Caitlin.
“Suddenly, I’m watching Paudie, Caitlin, and Eamonn beefing and I’m like, why are the girls fighting?
“Every night I’d go back, light incense, light candles, write in my journal and try to process it all. I wasn’t the loudest, but when I spoke, I made it count.”
Ben and Nick trying to flag down the bus home from Slane after being booted out #TraitorsIreland #TraitorsIRL pic.twitter.com/DWY0woQDmc
— Simon Murdoch 📻📱🎧 (@Simon_Murdoch) September 23, 2025
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