IT WAS A nail-biting finale, packed with accusations, heated arguments, and clever scheming, as the 12-episode thriller that was The Traitors Ireland drew to a close.

Heading into the finale, just five contestants remained: three Faithful (Kelley, Oyin, and Vanessa) and two Traitors (Ben and Nick).

From the moment breakfast was served on the final day, you could feel the tension crackling.

Kelley and Oyin were first to arrive, quietly sharing food, thoughts, and, probably, a silent prayer that the boys weren’t up to anything.

The gang gathered for the final breakfast. RTÉ RTÉ

“I feel I trust Nick,” Oyin said, a surprising statement from the woman who had easily rooted out previous Traitors like a reality-show Sherlock Holmes.

Kelley, finally voicing what we’ve all been thinking, muttered: “What if it’s both the boys?” Finally, sense prevails.

Ben arrived next, followed by Vanessa, and the room instantly went tense. Nick strutted in, some forced, tepid chats were held, and Siobhán McSweeney appeared in her unforgettable kimono, promising “no ordinary mission.”

The prize pot sat at €32,900, and everyone subtly vied for Kelley’s vote while the boys whispered nervously, clearly cracking under pressure.

The so-called “elements mission” promised epic drama — Earth, air, fire, water, and spirit, according to Siobhan — but it mostly delivered masks, a Viking-style boat, and crystal-matching in a field.

Nick, Kelley and Ben in the boat. RTÉ RTÉ

Still, the contestants rowed, scrambled, and climbed the Spire of Lloyd, with helicopters overhead adding at least some spectacle.

The group banked an extra €10,000 in the ultimate challenge, leaving the total prize pot at €42,900.

Back at Slane Castle, the final roundtable was a masterclass in tension. Oyin finally called out Nick, Ben tried to turn the heat back on Vanessa, and Kelley, the swing vote, sided with the girls.

Nick was banished, leaving four contestants to face the final decision: end the game or banish again.

The four remaining contestants were then led out to the dramatic backdrop of Slane Castle for the final decision.

All chose to banish, and the trio of remaining faithfuls voted to eliminate the last Traitor, Ben.

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It was an emotional final round of voting. RTÉ RTÉ

With that, Kelley, Oyin, and Vanessa were the last contestants standing.

All voted to end the game, revealing themselves as Faithfuls and claiming the season’s prize.

They split the €42,900 prize pot while pyrotechnics lit up the castle grounds.

Vanessa, Kelley and Oyin. RTÉ RTÉ

Host Siobhán McSweeney crowned them “Mná na hÉireann who took down the Traitors,” and Vanessa summed it up perfectly: “In a room full of people you can’t trust, it’s nice to know there’s at least two.”

Brains, nerves, and a little bit of friendship won the day.

Up the mná, as Siobhan would say, and bring on season two.