Katelyn Cummins was named the 2025 Rose of Tralee on Tuesday night at the conclusion of this year’s festival in Co Kerry.
She inherits the honour from last year’s winner, Keely O’Grady, who describes the festival as “a beauty pageant that’s not about beauty”.
The 20-year-old electrical apprentice hails from the village of Ballyouskill, which sits on the border of Laois and Kilkenny.
Ms Cummins said she was in a state of “shock” when the announcement was made.
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“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,” she said.
The electrician said working in a predominantly male environment meant that the Rose of Tralee gave her “a great opportunity” to embrace her “feminine side”.
“I think I was my true self most definitely on that tour. I am so excited to have 31 new girlfriends now,” she said. “I hope to raise awareness about women doing whatever it is they want to do.”
[ Rose of Tralee finale: An occasionally entertaining, sometimes gruelling watchOpens in new window ]
When asked if she had a message for her younger self, Ms Cummins replied: “Be confident in yourself, believe in yourself and know that you are going to be amazing in the future.”
Over the course of the two televised nights, Roses discussed issues as wide-ranging as women’s health, financial literacy, the importance of mental health and how to keep girls participating in sports.
Meme-worthy moments from this year’s contest included hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas performing yoga with dogs, a judicial assistant Rose receiving a gold card for Copper Face Jacks (a lifetime membership that allows you to skip any and all lines in to the Dublin nightclub) and an ode to the jumbo breakfast roll.
This year also saw the replacement of Will Leahy as MC with the breakfast radio host and 2015 Rose of Tralee escort Carl Mullan.
The youth wing of the pageant also had a new edition, with Rose Buddies joining the ranks of the Rose Buds, a group of 6-10 year olds who get to participate alongside the Roses in the festival.
The winner of competition takes home a prize fund that 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.
When asked where she plans to travel during her reign as Rose of Tralee, 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.”
