INTERVIEW: 'Irish women, we're a different breed' Laois Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins

It has been a year of the Rose in Laois, as the county enjoys its Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins doing everyone proud as the reigning International Rose of Tralee.

Katelyn is making real change in her year, as a proud ambassador for female apprentices, as the face of Laois, of the Rose of Tralee festival and yes, her own county of Kilkenny, on the national and international stage.

She made time to chat to the Leinster Express / Laois Live in Portlaoise recently, for the 2025 Laois Yearbook, on sale now.

“It’s incredibly busy but I’m loving how busy I am. Meeting people everywhere I go and up and down the country most days. There was one week where I hit 15 counties.”

Katelyn has support waiting everywhere she visits in the form of Roses and escorts.

“There’s someone involved in the festival in every county. If I’m in Dublin for an event there’s three escorts there and the Dublin rose as well. It’s incredible being able to have them all around me. To have someone sharing those experiences beside me, to have that company is the best part of it. We are all becoming closer friends too which is what I really wanted out of this experience,” she said.

The 2025 Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins in the rose garden in Tralee. Photo: Domnick Walsh

Katelyn determinedly returned to work in Alpha Drives, Portlaoise on the Monday after the Rose of Tralee festival last August. After six weeks she had to sit with the MD John Dwane and ask to take a year out of her apprenticeship.

“That Monday I had to take a half day because I was on the 6 O’Clock show that evening in Virgin Media studios in Dublin which was brilliant. It got gradually busier that I felt I was going to burn out if I did both, and the opportunities coming up being Rose of Tralee, you only have one year to do it, and I wanted to make the most of the year.

“My boss was so supportive and I have my Christmas do soon, meeting them all. To have that support especially in a male dominated workplace where I’m the only female apprentice, the support of all the lads is so special to me.” she said.

Katelyn in her electrical apprentice work gear at Alpha Drives, Portlaoise.

Katelyn has had a whirlwind calendar of high profile events in Laois, Ireland and beyond, at times taking flights across Ireland.

They include the Network Ireland Annual Conference in Killarney for businesswomen.

“It was really incredible listening to all the different women, it stems from the Rose of Tralee, Irish women, we’re a different breed. You can see that at these events. I was at the Construction Industry Federation business conference in Croke Park that was unbelievable as well. People from the industry, a lot of them knew who I was and were telling me I was doing a great thing for the construction industry, trying to get more females into it. Seeing how the industry is growing, and how AI is not really affecting it is incredible.

“I attended the Goss women of the year awards in the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire, I brought my sister, I haven’t got to spend much time with her as she’s in college in Galway. “That was amazing, women from all walks of life who were nominated for Women of the Year or as a trailblazer for doing something that makes them stand out. It was amazing, I don’t think I’ll ever forget the stories. A woman from Durrow, Ruth Campion won as well, I know her family, it was incredible to see someone local win an award and be recognised,” she said.

She starred in plenty of fun events, including The 2 Johnnies Late Night Lock in - “a great night, good fun. They are the same in real life, just so funny, full of life”.

Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins meets the delighted service users at RehabCare in Portlaoise. Photo: Alf Harvey

Then there’s her stint jiving with local photographer and ex Riverdancer Paul Dargan on stage with the Timahoe Male Choir at Electric Picnic too to store away in the memory banks.

“It was unbelievable, the crowd even though it was 1 o’clock in the day, something I never thought I’d do. 

“I had the Apprentice of the Year awards in the Mansion House, Dublin, an amazing venue. I was awarded Outstanding Apprentice Ambassador for 2025. I think it was the first time that award was given. That was incredible, unbelievable. People were so supportive.

“It makes me feel good knowing that I’m making a difference, especially in the apprenticeship industry, trying to bring more women into construction.  I’m only 21.”

A special one was her 21st birthday Rose party ahead of her October 13 birthday.

“We celebrated in Kilkenny, we had about 30 Roses and escorts, we did a whole weekend of it. It was unbelievable, we are such a close group. You don’t think after the festival that the escorts want to be involved but they want to go to places with you.”

She feels the love and pride the Laois people have for her, with countless people coming over offering warm words and during the interview at Portlaoise library.

“Unfortunately I don’t get to spend a lot of time here, I’m on the road constantly, but when I’m here people will recognise me and come and talk to me, and might say they’re proud, or their brother or sister wants to be an apprentice now. That warms my heart. I met one of the girls from the Laois Rose Selection last week and she was studying nursing, now she’s going to study carpentry. She said I influenced her to change her mind. That's really special to hear.”

Katelyn with fellow Roses and Escorts in Frankfurt, Germany.

Katelyn seems wise and confident beyond her years, perhaps it is down to skipping student life and choosing to go directly into her electrical career.

“I’m not the average 21 year old. I do feel like in Tralee, you’re bonding with girls who are older than you, the escorts are too. Being with those older people, I feel like I’ve aged ten years since April, I’m getting to do things no normal 21 year old would do. But I’m learning, I’m absolutely loving it.”

She is buzzing around the country in her Kia sponsored car that she collected from Downey’s in Portlaoise.

“The mileage is serious, I’m driving to Tralee next to climb Carrigtouhill with 15 Roses and escorts for Movember. I’m moving to Dublin as I’m there three or four days a week, it’s easier instead of driving up and down.”

She is looking forward to opening the Christmas Markets and turning on the lights in Frankfurt in November, sampling the German beers with the 64 strong Rose community.

“In February we are heading to Poland to give humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian orphans from the war. Then in March we are heading to New York for the St Patrick’s Day parade, and the Texas selection after that.

“Me and a few of the Roses and escorts are going to roadtrip then across Texas, Mississippi and Nashville. We’ll make a full-on holiday out of it,” she said.

International Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins getting some art tips from Ború Brennan Kelleher at Portlaoise Library. Picture: Alf Harvey.

There is barely time for family amid her year but Christmas will give a needed break.

“I barely make it home for 10 o’clock most nights. I’ll be home on December 19 and I’ll have a week off to spend with my family. Then I’m back to work on New Year’s Day. 

“My parents are very proud. I can’t believe I’ve accomplished so much, it’s only been two and half months,” Katelyn said.

From a farm in Ballyouskill in Kilkenny, Katelyn says she’s a Laois woman too.

“I’m definitely claiming both these days. My favourite place to go is the Rock of Dunamaise, I get a bit of peace and quiet there, gather my thoughts and it’s where I feel most relaxed. “There’s been a few times when I’ve come from Dublin and stopped on my way back, just to be by myself for a while, it’s one of my favourite places. I enjoy the Abbeyleix bog walk too, I meet my friends and get a coffee in Polly’s. I love the scenic drives, the Slieve Blooms is one of my favourite spots too. 

“There’s no pressure at all though, I get to choose what events I go to. I probably take a bit too much on but I’m grateful I get to go home to my bed and see my family in the evenings.”

Has she put her own slant on what a Rose of Tralee is?

“I definitely think I’ve made the role my own. I don’t think I fit into the norm of what people think the Rose of Tralee is, they think it’s prim and proper, and dressed up all the time.  I’ve done events in jeans and runners, in leggings.  I do think I have changed people’s mindsets on it. I’m very glad I got the opportunity to do that, it’s important that people really realise the festival is not about beauty, not about dressing up, not about looking nice all the time. It’s about celebrating women,” Katelyn Cummins said. 

Katelyn has recently been announced as a worthy competitor in the 2026 Dancing With The Stars.

She is looking forward to the challenge.

"Another new adventure… this year has been full of them . Over the past few months, I’ve been quietly working on something new, pushing myself completely outside my comfort zone and having the absolute time of my life along the way. I’m so excited (and a little nervous!) to finally share that I’ve been paired with professional dancer Leonardo Lini for the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars.

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