Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins says winning contest is 'a dream come true'
The 20-year-old, who has become the first-ever Laois Rose to take the title, explained how she's watched the popular RTÉ One show "every year for as long as I can remember".
Speaking on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1 on Wednesday, she said: "I think I've been watching it since I was about three or four - and I don't think I've missed a single year."
Asked what was going through her mind when she was announced as the winner and was presented with her sash by last year's Rose, New Zealand's Keely O'Grady, Katelyn said she was worried about falling over.
"To be honest, my legs were crossed and I thought I was going to fall over to the left side to the Arizona Rose. I was so worried that I was going to fall over," she said. "That's really all that was going through my head."
Shortly after her big win, Katelyn embraced her parents and granny - a moment which she'll never forget.
"And then I just hugged my mam, dad, and granny. They're rally, really proud of me and gave me the tightest hugs when I went down to greet them. I'm just so delighted to represent my family and our community in Laois," she said.
Opening up about her rose tattoo, which is a tribute to her late granny who passed away in June 2023, Katelyn said she "thought the rose was a lovely touch".
"She was an avid gardener when she was at home. Her garden was full of beautiful roses - red, pink, orange, yellow, white - every colour under the sun. I loved them, and they smelled absolutely fantastic," she recalled.
From the village of Ballyouskill, on the Laois-Kilkenny border, Katelyn is an apprentice electrician currently in her third phase of training, with plans to pursue an engineering degree.
Katelyn said she is thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in this year's contest and hopes that she has inspired young girls throughout Ireland.
"You always look up at that girl on stage and think, 'I'd love to be her. I'd love to showcase my talent. I'd love to tell the world who I am.'
"I think that's every little girl's dream in Ireland. I'm just so happy that I got the opportunity to do it. I've experienced the Rose Tour, which has been absolutely incredible. I couldn't have asked for a better group of girls to do it with. And Tralee itself - it was absolutely astonishing," she added.
Katelyn said the Rose of Tralee represents Irish women who are "strong" and "unbelievably talented".
"We represent that Irish women are so strong. We create such a sisterhood together. We are unbelievably talented and intelligent, and we can do anything we put our minds to, no matter what other people say to us."
This year's festival brought together 32 International Roses from communities across Ireland and around the world. Over five days, they enjoyed the hospitality of Tralee, along with street parades, music, and entertainment as part of the Féile Trá Lí celebrations.
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