Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins has been named the 2025 International Rose of Tralee, becoming the first-ever Laois Rose to take the title.
The 20-year-old was announced as the winner just before 11.30pm on Tuesday, when she was presented with her sash by last year's Rose, New Zealand's Keely O'Grady. She is the 65th International Rose of Tralee.
From the village of Ballyouskill, on the Laois-Kilkenny border, Katelyn is an apprentice electrician currently in her third phase of training, with plans to pursue an engineering degree.
Her victory was announced live on RTÉ One by Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas from the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU. Viewers tuned in not just from across Ireland, but also from as far afield as New Zealand, Mozambique, Canada, and the United States for the festival's second televised night.
After being crowned, Katelyn was whisked through the streets of Tralee to be formally presented to the crowds at Midnight Madness, where thousands gathered for music, celebrations, and a fireworks display.
Speaking on stage, a stunned Katelyn told Kathryn Thomas that winning felt "like a dream". An emotional Katelyn thanked her parents and "the 31 girls standing behind me" for their support.
Earlier in the evening, she had reflected on her journey into the electrical trade.
"I am an apprentice electrician. I am currently in my phase 3 at the moment. Back when I was in Transition Year, I had to do work experience, and I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I didn't really want to go to college; it didn't really seem like a path for me. Then my dad put me in touch with a local electrician. I did a week's work experience, and I absolutely loved it. I knew it was the job for me."
Watch: Katelyn spins around the stage in a lively jive with her escort, Tommy.
She admitted her career path has raised eyebrows at times.
"Some people say I don't look like an electrician. I am very, very girly. I was the only girl in my college, and I am the only girl in my apprenticeship. I'm one of the lads now."
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She also spoke proudly about her farming background.
"We have a dairy farm. I love that I grew up in the countryside, it makes it so much easier to connect with people."
For her party piece, Katelyn performed a lively jive with her escort Tommy.
This year's festival brought together 32 International Roses from communities across Ireland and around the world. Over five days, they enjoyed the hospitality of Tralee, along with street parades, music, and entertainment as part of the Féile Trá Lí celebrations.
