PICTURES: Laois year in review April marks start of Rose's journey to Tralee crown

The journey to being crowned Rose of Tralee began in Portlaoise for Katelyn Cummins when she won the 2025 Laois Rose title at the Selection Night at the Midlands Park Hotel in April. READ MORE BELOW  - TAP NEXT OR ARROW TO SEE MORE LAOIS PHOTOS from APRIL.

Katelyn, from Ballyouskill in Co Kilkenny lives in Laois and works in Alpha Drives in the J17 National Enterprise Park, Portlaoise.

The accomplished young woman read out a sweet poem on stage in the Midlands Park Hotel, written on the death of her beloved granny Kathleen, who worked the family farm and “never complained a day in her life”.

Katelyn told MC Ollie Turner that she is the only girl in her workplace, and was the only one on her college course too.

“The lads treat me the same. At home not by choice I help with the milking and feeding, we finished calving two weeks ago thank God. I would come home from college straight into farming.

“My younger sister Molly is on the underage Kilkenny panel, my brother Jack plays hurling and soccer. I got the dancing from my mam, she was taught by her dad,” she said.

After her name was called at the end of an exciting Laois Rose Selection night on Good Friday, Katelyn chatted to the Leinster Express / Laois Live - the official Laois Rose media partner.

“I'm so in shock and overwhelmed. Honest to God I didn't expect it at all. I just went to have the craic and have the experience and meet a few new girls,” she declared.

Meanwhile, a report published by a State agency in April found that up to nearly 1,000 new homes could be built on a landmark site in Portlaoise owned by the HSE.

However, to realise the potential of the land it is estimated that the final bill could run to almost €330 m.
The findings regarding fields attached to St Fintan's Hospital were contained in a new report from the Land Development Agency (LDA).

The LDA said any housing development would have to be subject to an overarching spatial framework that would include the HSE's ambitions for the property located between the Dublin and Stradbally Roads.

The State company was tasked to work with public bodies like the HSE to identify sites in towns around Ireland with populations above 10,000.

In other news, it emerged that a Laois nursing home had to close due to escalating costs and regulatory challenges. 

Ballard Lodge Nursing Home on the Borris Road in Portlaoise, which has been in existence for 21 years, was home to 24 residents and provided employment to 32 staff. Management has described the decision to close as “heartbreaking”. 

“Escalating costs, including those related to staffing, medical supplies and essential services such as energy and food, have placed an unsustainable strain on our ability to continue operations,” said a statement.  

Meanwhile, it emerged that a multinational company would be locating in Laois, with the CEO of Laois County Council announcing that it shows the county is “still in a growth phase”, bucking the national trend.

BNL Sciences bought one of the few remaining sites in J17 National Enterprise Park, joining companies like Alpha Drives, Midland Steel and Kirby Engineering.

They changed their mind on the site back in 2022 and now are paying a higher price, at €1.4m plus VAT for a 3.7 ha greenfield serviced site.

Laois CEO Michael Rainey commented on the deal as it was agreed at the April council meeting.

“We still have companies interested in coming here and investing in this county which is hugely valuable. We are open for business,” he told county councillors.