EXPLAINER: What does the Rose of Tralee win and what are her duties during her reign?

Katelyn Cummins has been crowned the 2025 International Rose of Tralee, becoming the first Laois Rose representing to take the title.

Katelyn was presented with her sash by the 2024 Rose of Tralee Kelly O'Grady just before11.30pm on Tuesday night to rapturous applause.

READ NEXT: IN PICTURES: Funeral of Irish designer Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra takes place in native Carlow

The 20-year-old is the 65th International Rose of Tralee and more impressively, an apprentice electrician, chairperson of the North Kilkenny Macra club and winner of two county finals for camogie with her local club in Laois.

Katelyn from Ballyouskill on the Laois/Kilkenny border, impressed the judges with her jiving skills, bubbly personality and love of Laois.

In her interview with Kathyrn Thomas following her incredible win, Katelyn said she had such an incredible experience throughout the festival and has made friendships for life.

"I don't think there's anything like the Rose of Tralee."

Katelyn was then whisked away to the streets of Tralee for celebration, where she was presented to the town of Tralee and serenaded in front of the thousands of people that lined out for Midnight Madness and a fireworks display.

Katelyn will have a busy year ahead of her, but what do her duties actually entail for the duration of her reign, and what does she win?

READ NEXT: LATEST: Late-night mission sees woman rescued after huge fall from Irish beauty spot

As the 2025 Rose of Tralee, Katelyn will enjoy an extensive prize package that includes,

• A travel bursary worth €25,000 that she must spend within the year
• A Kia Niro Plug-in hybrid for the year
• Complimentary accommodation at the 4-star Meadowlands Hotel every time she returns to Tralee during her year
• Hair styling provided by Brush n' Blush during her year
• Kerry County Council will host the Rose of Tralee and a guest to a weeklong adventure break in the Kingdom.

The €25,000 travel bursary is the winners to spend how she chooses, although organisers say it will help to represent the Rose of Tralee International Festival and connect the global Irish community throughout the year.

The locations and itinerary are however up to the Rose. The 2024 Rose of Tralee winner Kelly O'Grady used the money to travel to New Zealand for the Irish Dance Championships in Wellington, Poland to volunteer at an orphanage and Chicago for the St Patrick's Day Parade.

The 2025 winner will also get a new Kia Niro plug-in hybrid SUV worth more than €40,000 but unfortunately she will have to hand it back to organisers at the end of her reign.

READ NEXT: Gardaí investigate Electric Picnic ticket scams following multiple reports

She will also enjoy an all-expenses paid trip around Kerry including stops in Killarney and Dingle for her and a friend for a week with the costs covered by Kerry County Council, along with complimentary accommodation at the Meadowlands Hotel in Tralee every time she visits during her reign.

The winner will also get her hair styled for free every time she is in Tralee by the festivals official partner, Brush 'N' Blush hair and beauty group.

As for the her duties for the year, the Rose will serve as an ambassador representing the Rose of Tralee festival both in Ireland and internationally.

She will participate in various events such as parades, galas, and community gatherings whilst promoting Irish culture and engaging with communities, and connecting with people from all different backgrounds.

Congratulations to this year's Rose of Tralee winner, Katelyn Cummins.