Graiguecullen event features GAA All-Ireland winners and Irish World Cup star

The annual Graiguecullen Novena features some high-profile speakers from the worlds of sport, politics and entertainment when it gets underway at the end of April. 

The 20th annual Graiguecullen Parish Solemn Novena take place in St Clare’s Church, Graiguecullen, through April, May and June in the community that takes in parts of Laois and Carlow.

The Parish says the religious event provides an opportunity to pray together and support each other. It says each person comes to the Novena with their own special intentions, ranging from the routine pressures of life to the heartbreaking.

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In a statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live the organisers said that each night a guest speaker will share their own faith story. The Novena has a tradition of featuring some household names, and 2025 is no different.

Among them are three Irish sports stars - Niall Quinn, Richie Power and Ger Brennan. 

Dubliner Quinn played at two World Cups for Ireland. He also had a long professional soccer career playing for Arsenal, Manchester City and Sunderland, where he held managerial and boardroom positions. Now a businessman, Quinn has also worked for the FAI.

Richie Power is a multiple All-Ireland hurling winner with Kilkenny during the Brian Cody era. He has been to the fore in campaigning to raise awareness of addiction due to his own struggles with gambling.

Ger Brennan is another All-Ireland winner in GAA. He was part of the Dublin Gaelic resurgence under Pat Gilroy. Known for his strong faith in God, Brennan is now the Louth GAA senior Gaelic football manager.  

Other well-known people will speak. Eurovision winner from Derry, Dana Rosemary Scallon, is the first speaker on Monday, April 28. She is also a former Member of the European Parliament and ran for the Irish Presidency.

Another well-known speaker is Peadar Tóibín TD. The former Sinn Féin represented is the founder and leader of the Aontú political party which has two seats in the Dáil. The Meath man split from Sinn Féin over its pro-abortion stance. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured: Dana Rosemary Scallon and Peadar Tóibín.

The full lineup of speakers is as follows: 

• April 28: Dana Rosemary Scallon – Irish singer, songwriter, and former politician
• May 5: Fr. Shaun Doherty – Irish Catholic priest and former presenter with Highland Radio
• May12: Peadar Tóibín – TD and Founder and Leader of Aontú Political Party
• May 19: Niall Quinn – Former professional footballer, businessman and sports pundit
• May 26: Dermot Dooley – Chaplain of De La Salle College, Waterford
• June 2: Therese Dooley – Former UNICEF Advisor with water, sanitation, and hygiene
• June 9: Richie Power – Former Kilkenny All-Ireland winning hurler and All-Star.
• June 16: Ger Brennan - Former Dublin All-Ireland winning footballer & manager of Louth County GAA team
• June 23: Elizabeth Zion – Writer and advocate for Youth Empowerment

MORE BELOW PICTURE.

St Clare's Church, Graiguecullen

Each night will begin with praying the Rosary at 7pm led by the Poor Clare Sisters followed by Mass at 7.30pm celebrated by Parish Priest and Abbeyleix native Fr John Dunphy. Four of the parish choirs will lead the music as well as our Poor Clare Sisters. Jessica Nolan and Cathriona Kelly will be out cantors for the nine nights.

There are petition boxes in St. Clare’s Church in Graiguecullen where people are invited to place their petitions for prayers for their worries, illnesses and sufferings. Petitions can also be sent by email to gkparish@gmail.com. Each evening a selection of these petitions are read out at Mass.

Prayers are then offered up to Our Lady of Perpetual Help to give hope, courage and strength to all those in need of help to guide them through the difficult times in their lives.

The Novena commences on Monday, April 28 and runs for and will run for nine consecutive Monday nights until June 23.