Kilkenny woman crowned the Rose of Tralee 2025!

A Kilkenny woman has been crowned the 2025 Rose of Tralee.

Katelyn Cummins, from Ballyouskill, was presented with her sash by the 2024 Rose of Tralee Kelly O'Grady just before 11.30pm last night. The 20 year old is an apprentice electrician and the 65th International Rose of Tralee.

Katelyn was whisked away to the streets of Tralee for celebration, where she will be presented to the town of Tralee and serenaded in front of the thousands of people that have lined out for Midnight Madness and a fireworks display.

There was a great crowd in the Wheel Inn in Ballyouskill last night, watching and cheering her on.

Katelyn lives in Laois and works in Alpha Drives in the J17 National Enterprise Park, Portlaoise, making control panels for motors in their workshop. The Rose impressed judges with her jiving skills, bubbly personality and love of Laois. Katelyn proudly challenges gender norms, as the only female electrician in her workplace.
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North Kilkenny councillor Pat Fitzpatrick said he was delighted for Katelyn, and said she and her family were a credit to the area.

"The Cummins family are great community people, Katelyn is reallly popular and really sweet," he said.

"Her mammy Siobhan is a great dancer and into music. Her father Noel is a farmer and a fantastic community activitist. It's a great family embedded in Ballyouskill and the community.

"Her granny is living in Conahy and went to school in Ballyragget, and actually worked at the Wheel Inn for a time. There was great excitement in it last night.
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"On back of (former Roses from North Kilkenny) Molly and Lisa, it was always destined to come. Huge congratulations to her. She was fantastic on the night. She's a Kilkenny girl even thought she was representing Laois. I'll be asking the Cathaoirleach to host a reception for her at County Hall."

RTÉ’s Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas made the announcement live from Kerry Sports Academy at MTU to local and global audiences following two exciting TV nights. Over the course of both nights, viewers tuned in from countries including New Zealand, Mozambique, Canada and the United States.

As the 2025 Rose of Tralee, Katelyn will enjoy an extensive prize package that includes:

• World travel prize valued at €25,000
• Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid for her year
• Complimentary accommodation at the 4-star Meadowlands Hotel every time she returns to Tralee during her year
• Hair styling provided by Brush n' Blush during her year 
• Kerry County Council will host the Rose of Tralee and a guest to a weeklong adventure break in the Kingdom 

32 International Roses from communities across Ireland and around the world took part in the 2025 Rose of Tralee International Festival. Across five days, the International Roses, Rose Escorts and Rose Centres all enjoyed the superb hospitality on offer in Tralee and a whole host of street entertainment and festivity including parades, music events, as part of the Féile Trá Lí street festival which coincided with the Rose of Tralee International Festival.

Meanwhile, Sydney Rose Laura Foley, who has strong Kilkenny roots, also performed well on the evening.