Rose hopeful Katelyn is a bright sparkie

21-year-old breaking down stereotypes with career

- BY SANDRA MALLON Showbiz Editor

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.”