Latest news with #RoseofTraleefestival
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Rose of Tralee star says people 'shocked' after discovering she's an electrician
A Rose of Tralee contestant has said people are 'shocked' when they discover she is an electrician. Katelyn Cummins, 21, will represent Laois at this year's Rose of Tralee festival, which takes place on August 18 and 19. The 21-year-old is a second-year apprentice electrician from Ballyouskill, working with Alpha Drives in Portlaoise, while also helping her dad and her siblings on their dairy farm. Opening up about taking a trade as her career path, she said: 'Yes, they would be shocked in a good way. People are very enthusiastic in a good way about it. They're very supportive and ask me if I know any more female electricians. 'I love doing it and I am so happy that there are more women getting into it now. It's so empowering for women to be able to see that there are other women doing it. I think that pushes other women to do that I am delighted about.' Although she is unsure about mentioning it on stage to hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas, she said she wants to highlight to people not to be afraid taking a different career path as a woman. 'I'm not sure I'll mention it on stage, but I do want to highlight it as part of my journey, like women shouldn't be afraid to take difficult paths or take different routes that is not traditional. It is becoming more common.' Laois Rose 20254, Katelyn Cummins She said it was her dad who introduced her to being an electrician, adding: 'Growing up on a dairy farm, I'm so used to working with my hands… the hard work was always built into me from such a young age. School was never really for me. I didn't enjoy it that much. The Leaving Cert didn't stress me out. After I did work experience in TY, I knew I wanted to do something different. 'My dad dropped me in with the local electrician for the week and I absolutely loved it.' Opening up about her decision to enter the Kerry festival, she said she was looking forward to making new friends. She said: 'I originally took part in the Laois selection because I didn't have that many friends in Laois and I wanted to make more friends and have a better social life in Laois with lots of new girls. 'With my job, I just work with a lot of lads all the time so it would be nice to meet a lot of new girls. 'After school, girls drift apart, and it was just wanting to make more friends in the area.' She said her parents were 'absolutely delighted' when they heard she wanted to take part of he Rose of Tralee. Laois Rose 2025, Kaitlyn Cummins She added: 'My parents are over the absolute Moon. They are so happy and proud. It's something I've always dreamed of as a little girl. I've never missed it. 'To be crowned the Laois Rose in April was amazing. They were so proud.' Kateyln added that last year's Rose of Tralee winner Keeley O'Grady encouraged her to enter the competition. She said: 'I'm 20 and I was approached by the coordinator back two years ago when I was working part-time in a hotel. She was going around scouting for girls and she asked. 'But I had just turned 18 and I felt I was too young for it. I was doing my Leaving Cert year as well. Then when I saw Keeley O'Grady was 21 and crowned the Rose of Tralee it just showed that anything is possible, and you didn't have to have a certain background or be a certain age. 'That's probably what pushed me. I think it's so empowering for girls this year because there was such a wide age group.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
The Irish Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Former Carlow Rose of Tralee marries London escort at stunning wedding in Portugal nine years after meeting
A FORMER Rose of Tralee star has got married at a stunning wedding in Portugal. Emma O'Byrne and her husband Martin Davey tied the knot last Friday on June 20. Advertisement 4 Emma and her husband Martin got married last week Credit: Matt and Lena Photography 4 Emma and Martin had their wedding in Portugal Credit: Matt and Lena Photography 4 Emma and Martin posed for some gorgeous snaps on their wedding day Credit: Matt and Lena Photography The beautiful bride represented Carlow in the 2016 Rose of Tralee festival and Martin acted as an escort for the London Rose in the same year. The pair didn't actually spend a lot of time together during the main event but they caught each other's eyes during a BBQ the day after the competition. Martin got down on one knee and popped the question in 2023. And nine years later, Emma and Martin have exchanged vows and become Mr and Mrs. Advertisement read more on rose of tralee The happy couple legally got married in Ireland in May and celebrated the occasion at Mount Falcon Estate in Mayo. They were then surrounded by 140 of their loved ones for their glamorous wedding in Portugal last week. And the newly weds looked more in love than ever in heart-melting photos taken by Matt and Lena Photography. Emma stunned in a Milla Nova white floor-length ball gown from Amore Bridalwear Youghal. Advertisement Most read in News TV The fabulous sleeveless frock was fitted on the bodice and flowed out into a long train. Kathryn Thomas wows in Rose of Tralee look The psychologist had her luscious locks pulled back off her face into a low bun. She finished off her bridal look wearing a white veil and a pair of white pointed-toe kitten heels. Martin looked dapper wearing a classic black suit with a white shirt and black dickie bow. Advertisement The couple made sure to have a few Irish touches for their big day with an Irish poem and a few traditional songs performed. JUST ROSIE A table of Roses were invited to join in on the special day including Maggie McEldowney and her husband John Slowey. Maggie was the the iconic series back in 2016 as Rose after her third attempt at applying for the show. At the time of the show, Maggie was dating Chicago Fire Service worker Jim FitzGibbon, who could not attend the festival due to work matters. Advertisement Instead, John stepped in and escorted the Irish lady on her big day - and the rest is history. John And after just 10 months being engaged, the pair have The love birds got married last weekend on Saturday, May 24, in a beautiful ceremony in Hilton Chicago Oak Brook Hills Resort in Chicago. Advertisement They were surrounded by their loving family and friends, with many of them flying over from Ireland. 4 Emma was the Carlow Rose in 2016 Credit: Facebook
