Aoife Walsh has thanked her fans for their support as she opened up about being a single mother and confirmed her split from her former fiancé.
The former Miss Ireland, who got engaged during a Christmas proposal in Paris in 2018, previously shared her wedding planning journey before announcing they had to postpone their plans for the big day in 2020 due to Covid-19.
The Tipperary native, who welcomed her first daughter Penelope Rose a year later on July 29, 2021 and has now confirmed that they are no longer a couple.
Read more: Aoife Walsh says baby is ‘greatest gift’ as she celebrates birthday in hospital
During a chat with her followers on Instagram, one fan asked: “Are you with Penny’s Dad? “Don’t answer if too personal. Not judging, just curious xxx”
Aoife replied: “No, it’s just me & P.”
The 33-year-old went on to thank her followers for their support as she shared examples of the love and messages she received after confirming the news online - with many calling her ‘an inspiring single mother’.
One follower wrote to her saying: “What an achievement Aoife, you must be (or at least I hope you are!) super proud of yourself. And of course she has her doting nana and grandad, but being her sole full time parent is an exceptional achievement.”
Another penned: “As a single mommy to a little girl who’s just a bit younger than Penelope, I love seeing your stories and how much you do for her."
A third wrote to her, adding: “Fair play to you! Even more impressed with you now! You are an amazing mammy!”
Aoife shared the list of messages, and said: “Thank you for every gorgeous message & Dm. They never go unnoticed.”
Her daughter’s arrival also came shortly after the teacher turned model moved back home to her beloved parents in Tipperary during the pandemic, after previously living in New York.
Lifting the lid on the life changing period, Aoife previously she told Irish Daily Mirror: “I have been living at home now for over a year. I am in Tipperary now and it is so nice, my mum and dad are super supportive.
“It was a big change at the start but I am really enjoying it now. I love my mum and dad and we actually get on like a house on fire so it is great.”
The new mum, who was crowned Miss Ireland back in 2013, added that it was a comfort having her family so close to her after welcoming her first child during strict covid restrictions.
“When I was pregnant there were high restrictions, I was on my own in the hospital and for scans and stuff like I did it all by myself. And even when I had Penny, afterwards it was still pretty intense. So I definitely had a Covid baby.
“Nobody was able to come in.. my mom came in for like two hours a day, but that was it. It was really really tough.”
She added: “I definitely think when you become a mum a lot of people will say ‘it will change your life’ but it absolutely changes your life.
“And I think she has made me such a better person in every way.
“It is all about putting her first, when you are single and you are young, your priorities are different.
“And things have changed for me dramatically.”
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