Bright 2025 Laois Rose entrants impress in a night of glamour and entertainment

There could be only one winner but it was a difficult choice for judges in the 2025 Laois Rose Selection Night on Good Friday.

The warm delight shown by all the other 16 entrants as apprentice electrician Katelyn Cummins was announced, showed the level of friendship formed in the run-up to the Laois final.

Each entrant, backed by Laois businesses, gave a personal and brave stage interview in the packed in the Midlands Park Hotel ballroom of cheering supporters in Portlaoise.

Alannah O'Connell talked about her volunteer work for the Fisherstown Tractor Run with her family, and gave a rousing version of 'Where Did My Money Go' by Pat Short to get the night underway.

Elizabeth Parkinson Donovan in a beautiful pink frock, thanked her many energetic supporters who came along on the night including her sponsors Jackie's Hair Salon and her friend Lee.

“The Rose of Tralee has helped me get through life with a disability. It's what my mam and dad tell me too, you can do whatever you want to do in life,” she said.

The Dublin Rose with Elizabeth Parkinson Donovan and Kelsey Nolan. 

Faith Westman from Mountmellick is studying to be a bioscientist and loves animals so much she became vegetarian, despite a grá for black pudding. She shared that she has a prosthetic leg.

“I gained a lot more than was taken from me, courage, resilience and grace, and I get half price on pedicures”.

Freda Byrne, daughter to a beekeeper, is animal mad, and works in Kolbe Special School, and became auntie to a niece born on the same day.

Disability advocate Kelsey Power Nolan, Graiguecullen, brought her son Arlo aged two on stage, her “miracle” as a doctor once told her that with cystic fibrosis she could never have a child.

Latvian Portlaoise self described “diesel head” Karina Kotlara drives a modified BMW and with three degrees under her belt, now works in construction, swapping her hard hat for high heels for the night.

Yet another woman smashing gender stereotypes is Tilly Doyne who sells John Deere tractors with her sponsor Templetouhy Farm Machinery in Ballybrittas.
The ag science graduate gets huge support from her male workmates, and also loves her modified car.

See more photos by Alf Harvey from the Laois Rose night here.

Ryanair cabin crew Rachel O'Meara got the entrants to give a fun in-flight safety demo, while sharing her love of Morocco, but not of Ibiza bound party passengers.

Heritage Spa receptionist Grace Anne McCormack loves the relaxing vibe of her job, and said her struggle through dyslexia inspired her to now study to be a secondary school teacher specialising in special needs.

Stirring heartstrings, Ella Maeve Ryan spoke lovingly of her late stepfather, and how she loves all the residents in the nursing home where she works. She deferred her place in nursing college to have spinal surgery but then it was cancelled. She is in constant pain, “actually I'm in agony today” she admitted.

Lisa Hainsworth with her supporters at the Midlands Park Hotel.

Busy Portarlington rugby coach Lisa Hainsworth teaches the sport in schools, and has started an interiors business, admitting a “big crush” on architect Dermot Bannon.

Portlaoise Coppers bar woman and business student Mia Gavigan had her Scottish grandad in the room for support, and sang a tune in Irish with her guitar.

Languages tutor Jessica Byrne from Killeen had submitted a Masters thesis the day before the event. She said her older sister Victoria who is a GP is an inspiration, with her younger sister away in the Gaeltacht. She sang a beautiful Irish version of The Parting Glass.

Solar panel tech support Kellie Wall from Ballylinan talked about her beloved Connemara pony Esmee that she brings to shows, and even tucks her in each night with a song.

Portlaoise lady Ellen Carroll Holland works in a hotel group and has a H Dip in Theology, with a plan to teach as a secondary subject. Ellen also spoke about the Ukraine refugees who came to live with her family.

The youngest entrant Ellie O'Sullivan, 18, from Rathdowney is a student teacher and a daughter of a past Lord Mayor Antoinette. The musicals singer ended the night in style with a tune from Les Miserables.

Charlotte Murphy, Antoinette, Ellie and Noel O’Sullivan at the Laois Rose selection night in Portlaoise. Picture: Alf Harvey.

The fun night also included hampers for the best banners, and prizes for the best dressed, won by Sally White and Lee Whelan.

Then it was time to announce the judge's choice, and a shocked and delighted Katelyn Cummins accepted the sash from outgoing Laois Rose Sinead Dowd.  Read our exclusive interview with Katelyn here.

Handing over her sash was New York Cullohill teacher Sinead Dowd who thanked her sponsor the Style Bar, her mum Grainne and all who have supported her reign.

“I've made friends for life. It's kind of a cult in a way, but a very good cult. I'm excited to be a support system and to give the sash over ,” she said.

The reigning Rose of Tralee Keely O'Grady had some advice.

“I would say to the Laois Rose, at its core this it about celebrating real women, so be yourself. Express who you are, and goup there and enjoy it,” the New Zealander said.

All the young women waiting on stage for the announcement with (centre) 2023 Laois Rose Sinead Dowd and Rose of Tralee Keely O'Grady.

The judges were Mark Irwin, Maura Murphy and Henry Healy.

MC Ollie Turner serenaded the winner with The Rose of Tralee anthem.

The Leinster Express is proud media partner of the Laois Rose Selection which now takes place every second year.

The Rose of Tralee week long festival takes place this August, with all 32 Roses to be interviewed live on RTÉ television.