Excitement is at fever pitch as the 2025 Rose of Tralee Festival is underway in Kerry.
32 women from across Ireland and beyond are battling it out to be crowned the winner when it all culminated on Tuesday evening in The Dome.
Laois is represented by Katelyn Cummins from Ballyouskill who is a second-year apprentice electrician from Ballyouskill, working with Alpha Drives in Portlaoise.
Ahead of her appearance on our TV screens next week, Katelyn took time out of her busy schedule to speak to LaoisToday about how everything is going for her so far.
She said: “The Rose Tour started off in Meath last Sunday. We went to Knightsbrook first and then on to Emerald Park.
“That was absolutely brilliant, it was the best first day we could have had.
“We went on a few of the small rides first but I really wanted to go on the big ones and eventually we did – even got to go on new ones that have only been there a few months.
“Monday was our media day and where we got to meet Kathryn Thomas and Daithi O Se.”
Katelyn also spoke about how she was paired with her escort and her favourite moment of the Rose of Tralee so far.
She said: “They asked us questions about what we would like in an escort, interest, hobbies and all of that.
“On Thursday then we met all the escorts and we got to chat to one while having the starter, another on the main course and then a different person on desert.
“So I found out yesterday that I have been paired with Tommy Meade from Meath. He loves jiving and I love jiving so it is perfect!
“The best day so far was the Rose Ball which I think was on Tuesday. We had a bit of a sing song.
“Myself and the Wexford Rose, Cliona, are mad for jiving. And we jived together. We absolutely love it.
“Anytime we hear a bit of jiving music or a bit of a tune, we’re up on the floor. So that’s definitely been the highlight because we enjoy it so much together.
“Cliona and I knew each other before coming into the Rose of Tralee as well. We are both in MACRA. So we knew each other from jiving already before.”
There’s more to the Rose of Tralee than being a Rose or a Rose Escort because young girls and boys from all over Ireland are each paired with an International Rose during the Festival in Tralee.
Thirty-two young girls and boys have been selected as Rose Buds and Buddies for the Rose of Tralee International Festival – the first time ever for the boys – and Katelyn says it is a brilliant idea.
She said: “So we met them Friday morning when we arrived in the Meadowlands. I have a little girl, Faye Lynch, she’s from Tralee.
“And a little boy, Ciarán, he is from just outside of there in Limerick.
“They gave me a little present as well. My little Rose Bud gave me loads of makeup and jewellery. And my little buddy gave me a Lego flower.
“My heart melted when I went up to the room. I was up in the room Friday night after 2am and I was opening the box with all the presents.
“Ciaran wrote me a little note as well. It was like Christmas morning going back up to that room Friday night.”
While Katelyn doesn’t know whether she will be on TV on Monday or Tuesday just yet, she was able to tell us who she will be interviewed by.
She said: “We will find out on Sunday evening which night I will be interviewed but I do know that it will be by Kathryn Thomas.
“I don’t have a party piece but that means I will have more time to talk on stage – and I have a lot to say.
“I have never actually been in the Dome before. I took part in the selection in Laois to try make more girl friends in Laois.
“Working in a male dominated trade, it can be hard to find girls your age so this was certainly a great way to do that.”
Katelyn is going to have a big crowd supporting her in the Dome over the two days.
She said: “I have 20 people coming to the Dome. I’d say there’ll be about 50 or 60 down throughout the week.
“There was about 20 there on Friday night. And there’s a good few more on their way down now at the moment.”
And how has Katelyn found trading the work clothes for high heels?
“My feet are killing me,” she joked. “I’m not even thinking about work. My boss texted me the other day to say good luck and I was kind of like, ‘oh yeah, I forgot I have a job’.
“They’ll be watching it at home. All lads in my work, so not too much interest in it.
“Princess pageant is what it’s called back in work,” she laughed, “But you know, they’ve been so supportive and so, so lovely about the whole thing. They’re all rooting for me. So it’s great.”
Finally, Katelyn would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people who have helped her over the last few months.
She said: “I want to thank the community in Laois and in Ballyouskill as well.
“My neighbours, family and friends have been so supportive and I really appreciate all of it.”
SEE ALSO – Check out all of our weekend’s GAA coverage here
