Katelyn Cummins was announced as the 2025 International Rose of Tralee, becoming the first Laois Rose representing to take the title.
Katelyn, from Ballyouskill, was presented with her sash by the 2024 Rose of Tralee Kelly O’Grady just before11.30pm on Tuesday night.
The 20 year old is an apprentice electrician and diary farmer – and now the 65th International Rose of Tralee.
RTÉ’s Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas made the announcement live from Kerry Sports Academy at MTU to local and global audiences following two exciting TV nights.
Over the course of both nights, viewers tuned in from countries including New Zealand, Mozambique, Canada and the United States.
Following her win, Katelyn was whisked away to the streets of Tralee for a celebration.
She was presented to the town of Tralee and serenaded in front of the thousands of people that had lined out for ‘Midnight Madness’ and a fireworks display.
But before all of that, Katelyn addressed the media and talked about what the win means for her.
She said: “I want to use this platform to advocate for women and tell them that you can do whatever you want.
“No matter what career you want or what you want to do in the future, you can do it.
“We can do whatever we want to do and we don’t have to follow anyone else.
“I’m working in a male dominated field and you can do whatever you want.
“I’m so proud of myself, I think I have come so far in the last few years.
“I’m so happy that I was confident enough to be able to come down here and be my true self. I’m very proud of myself.”
The Rose of Tralee had previously been slagged off and put down as something of a ‘lovely girls competition’ but Katelyn feels that it is anything but that.
She said: “The Rose of Tralee has been an amazing festival for the past ten days for me.
“I have made friends for life and I think it needs to be shared more the fact that we all have such an incredible experience.
“I really didn’t expect to get on with the 31 other girls the way I have and I am so delighted to have been part of it.
“The things we have done, the people that we have met – it is an experience like no other.”
And what does Katelyn think will lie ahead for her over the next 12 months?
She said: “I am so excited for the adventures that this is going to take me on and the experiences I am going to have.”
As the 2025 Rose of Tralee, Katelyn will enjoy an extensive prize package.
This includes a world travel prize valued at €25,000 and a Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid for her year.
Katelyn is also entitled to complimentary accommodation at the 4-star Meadowlands Hotel every time she returns to Tralee during her year.
While hair styling will be provided by Brush n’ Blush during her year as Rose.
Kerry County Council will host Katelyn and a guest to a weeklong adventure break in the Kingdom.
SEE ALSO – Laois! Laois! Laois! Katelyn Cummins is named the 65th International Rose of Tralee
