Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins crowned 2025 Rose of Tralee

James Cox

Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins is the 2025 International Rose of Tralee, the 20-year-old is the first Rose from Laois to win the title.

Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas made the announcement from the Kerry Sports Academy at MTU to national and global TV audiences.

Viewers of the event, which was televised and streamed over two nights, included audiences from New Zealand, Mozambique, Canada and the US.

The four-person judging panel that picked this year’s Rose of Tralee were former Rose of Tralee Clare Kambamettu, RTÉ’s Nuala Carey, fashion designer Don O’Neill and Aisling Murphy of sponsor Murphy’s New Homes.

Ms Cummins is the 65th winner of the Rose of Tralee.

She said she was in "shock" when the announcement was made.

“I had my legs crossed. I thought I was going to fall over to be honest. I couldn’t believe it when they said Laois."

Ms Cummins, who is an electrician, said the Rose of Tralee presented a "great opportunity" to show her "feminine side">

“I think I was my true self most definitely on that tour. I am so excited to have 30 new girlfriends now,” she said. “I hope to raise awareness about women doing whatever it is they want to do.”

The top prize includes the use of a brand-new car for 12 months, free hotel stays and hair treatments in Tralee for the year and a €25,000 travel bursary.

Asked about where she intends to travel, Ms Cummins said: "Wherever the Rose of Tralee International festival takes me.

“I just think I am going to have an amazing year and I can’t wait to see where the adventures is going to take me.”