Katelyn Cummins: The Rose Who Came Back Down to Earth, Tools in Hand
As her reign as Rose of Tralee comes to an end, Katelyn Cummins is doing something most would consider unthinkable after a year of glitz and glamour. She is going back to work as an apprentice electrician. At just 21 years old, she has danced her way into the nation's heart, but her feet remain firmly planted on the ground, ready to pick up where she left off.
Speaking to Claire O'Mahony of RTÉ, Katelyn reflected on a whirlwind year that included over 240 engagements, a Glitterball trophy from Dancing with the Stars, and travels that took her from the dairy farms of the Laois-Kilkenny border to the bright lights of Nashville. It has been a year of firsts, but for Katelyn, it has also been a year of self-discovery.
“I know who I am now,” she says, a statement that carries the weight of a young woman who has navigated fame with a grounded grace that is rare in the modern world.
A Year Like No Other
Katelyn's journey began with her selection as the Rose of Tralee, a role that catapulted her into the public eye. But it was her decision to pause her electrician apprenticeship to compete on Dancing with the Stars that truly captured the imagination of the Irish public. She moved to Dublin, threw herself into rehearsals, and ultimately lifted the Glitterball trophy after 11 weeks of competition.
“I don't think I've ever been this busy in my life,” she admits. “There have been so many people who've said to me, 'I think you're busier than the President of Ireland,' and I don't think they're wrong, to be honest.”
The year also included trips to New York, Texas, and Canada, and a solo adventure through Vietnam, a journey she says was essential for her own sanity. “It was really nice to spend a bit of time on my own after how busy this year has been,” she reflects. “I love hopping on a plane and seeing somewhere new.”
Breaking Down Stereotypes, One Toolbox at a Time
Katelyn has used her platform to challenge the stigma surrounding women in trades. She has been vocal about her own experience, pushing back against the idea that a “girly girl” cannot handle the physical demands of an electrician's job.
“A lot of people were saying, 'She wouldn't be able for it,' or, 'It's really tough work,'” she says. “That was the stigma I wanted to break down this year. We can do it. We don't have to be a certain type or stereotype to go into it.”
Her message is clear: it should be normal for girls to do this job. “I'm a girly girl. I wear dresses, I wear make-up, I get my hair done, and I get my nails done, but I'm still able to get down to the nitty-gritty and do my work as well.”
The Farm That Forged Her
Katelyn traces her work ethic back to her childhood on the family dairy farm. Growing up working alongside her father Noel and mother Siobhan taught her the value of hard work at a young age. It was a life she admits she once resented, but now she sees it as the foundation of her character.
“I've grown to appreciate the life that we had on the farm because I was taught hard work at a very young age, which I'm incredibly grateful for,” she says.
This year, for the first time, she missed the calving season, a detail that highlights the sacrifices she made for her year in the spotlight. “I was ringing my dad and saying, 'How many cows do we have now?'” she recalls with a laugh. “It was so weird.”
Speaking Her Truth on Disability
During her time on Dancing with the Stars, Katelyn chose to speak publicly about her genetic hearing disability and her hearing aids. It was a decision she made carefully, wanting to share her experience without seeking pity.
“For me, a disability doesn't define who I am,” she states. Her approach to learning the dances was different from her peers; she relied on visual cues from her partner, Leonardo Lini, rather than the music's lyrics. “I realised this is a lot harder for me than it is for them,” she says. “I thought that needed to be showcased.”
Her message is one of adaptation, not limitation. “Some people do things one way, and I've adapted to doing it another, but it's never made a difference for me. It has always ended up being the same result as everybody else's.”
What Comes Next?
With her reign ending, Katelyn is looking forward. She is set to return to her apprenticeship, but she is also exploring new avenues, including a podcast with Declan Buggy of the Irish School of DIY. The show will delve into Irish life, craftsmanship, and the stories of people who have built public platforms.
“It's my way of keeping my foot in the door with the media industry,” she explains. “Who knows what's after that?”
When asked what the year has taught her, Katelyn returns to her central theme of authenticity. “I've got to know who I am, what I believe in and what I stand for,” she says. “Being yourself has got me so far. You don't need to put on a façade, you don't need to act like somebody else, and you don't need to follow in other people's footsteps.”
As she hands back the sash, she does so without regret. “I have genuinely put everything into this year, and I've got everything back out of it,” she says. For Katelyn Cummins, the future is bright, and it is built on a foundation of hard work, authenticity, and the simple truth that you can be both a glamorous Rose and a skilled electrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Katelyn Cummins doing after her year as Rose of Tralee?
Katelyn Cummins is returning to her electrician apprenticeship, which she paused to take on the Rose of Tralee role and compete in Dancing with the Stars. She is also developing a podcast with Declan Buggy of the Irish School of DIY.
How did Katelyn Cummins use her platform to promote women in trades?
Katelyn used her year in the spotlight to challenge the stigma around women in trades, publicly advocating that girls can and should pursue careers as electricians and other skilled professions without conforming to stereotypes.
What did Katelyn Cummins say about her hearing disability?
Katelyn spoke publicly about her genetic hearing disability and wearing hearing aids for the first time during Dancing with the Stars. She emphasized that her disability does not define her and that she has adapted her learning methods to achieve the same results as anyone else.