Colleagues in Portlaoise 'immensely proud' of Laois Rose

Colleagues of the Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins say they are “immensely proud” after she was crowned the 65th Rose of Tralee. 

An apprentice electrician, Katelyn works for Alpha Drives & Switchgear at J17 National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise. 

"Everyone at Alpha Drives & Switchgear is immensely proud of Katelyn’s achievement. To see her crowned the 2025 Rose of Tralee is a fantastic moment, not only for Katelyn herself but also for Laois as she becomes the county’s first ever winner,” Managing Director John Dwan said. 

20-year-old Katelyn, from Ballyouskill on the Laois/Kilkenny border, works in Alpha Drives making control panels for motors in their workshop and is currently in her third phase of an electrical apprenticeship.

"I am a 2nd year apprentice electrician in Alpha Drives in Portlaoise, and I love to keep active in the gym and going for runs," Katelyn recently told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

Defying gender stereotypes, the Portlaoise apprentice hopes to study electrical engineering, and to travel abroad with this work.

“Katelyn has shown incredible determination both in the work she does here and on stage in Tralee. She is passionate about encouraging more women into apprenticeships, and her success will undoubtedly inspire many others to follow their dreams. We are honoured to have her as part of our team," Mr Dwan said earlier today. 

SEE ALSO: Joyous scenes as Laois Rose crowned 

Apprenticeship Ireland also extended their congratulations on X. They said: “Our warmest congratulations to Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins on her incredible win! We are so proud to see this outstanding electrical apprentice take home this year’s International Rose of Tralee title!”