BREAKING: Kilkenny contestant announced for next series of Dancing with the Stars

Current Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins (from Ballyouskill in County Kilkenny) has been revealed as the third contestant lighting up the dancefloor for the ninth series of Dancing with the Stars.

The popular series returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player in January 2026. 

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Katelyn was selected as the 2025 International Rose of Tralee in August. As the 65th International Rose of Tralee, she is the first-ever Laois Rose to hold the title.

From a village on the Kilkenny-Laois border, Katelyn is an apprentice electrician who plans to pursue an engineering degree.

On joining the cast of Dancing with the Stars, Katelyn said, "I promised myself that I would take every opportunity that came my way and make the most of this amazing year. I’m beyond grateful and so excited to be part of this year's Dancing with the Stars.

"My parents were the first to know - their unwavering support has gotten me to where I am today. I hope I can continue to make them proud and be an inspiration for my younger sister and brother.

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"From Irish dancing to set dancing and school musicals, dance has always been something I've enjoyed. I'd love to master the jive as it's been a personal favourite of mine over the last few years when dancing with my Mam and my friends.

"It's a completely new world to me, a big change from the Snickers and steel toe cap boots but I can't wait to get stuck in and give it my all!"

Katelyn is no stranger to taking to the dancefloor. She won over audiences last summer with her jiving skills on stage as part of the Rose of Tralee competition.

The 21-year-old has also spoken about doing an apprenticeship and the need to support women to gain more awareness of different education options to the traditional college route.

Dancing with the Stars is hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli and Laura Fox.

Filling our Sunday evenings with glitz and glamour from January, the RTÉ series will see 12 well-known figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week.

Each pairing will have a different dancing genre to master every week, from the Charleston to Salsa, and they’ll have just seven days to perfect their routine before performing live to the nation.  

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Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges: Oti Mabuse, Brian Redmond, Arthur Gourounlian and Karen Byrne, and as well as the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the much-coveted glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.  

Tune in for all the glitz and glam from Sunday 4 January 2026 on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

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