A Laois parish is gearing up to host their annual Novena this coming month, taking place over nine weeks.

Graiguecullen's 21st Annual Solemn Novena will take place in St. Clare’s Church, commencing on Monday April 13 and will run for nine consecutive Monday nights until June 8.

The theme of this year's Novena event is 'United in Prayer'.

Each night will hear from a different guest speaker, including many well-known people. Speakers at the Graiguecullen services include Laois Rose Katelyn Cummins and Bishop Denis Nulty, who will share stories on their own faith.

On Monday April 13, two time All-Ireland Football Champion Mary Hulgraine will speak to the congregation. Monday April 20 will hear words from Brother Tom Walsh, a De La Salle Brother and teacher.

On Monday April 27, former World Boxing Champion Bernard Dunne will give a talk.

Monday May 4 will hear from Jim Breen, founder of Pulse Learning and Cycle Against Suicide.

On May 11, hurling manager, former player and winner of Two All-Ireland titles, Davy Fitzgerald, will share his story.

On May 18, Capuchin Franciscan priest-friar and mindfulness teacher Br. Richard Hendrick will speak.

May 25 will hear words from Kilkenny TV Chef and broadcaster Edward Hayden.

On Monday June 1, Laois Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins will be in attendance as a guest speaker.

The Novena events will end on Monday June 8, with words from Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Diocese Denis Nulty.

"The Novena provides us with an opportunity to pray together and support each other," the parish office said.

"Each person comes to the Novena with their own special intentions ranging from the routine pressures of life to the heart breaking.

"There are petition boxes in St. Clare’s Church in Graiguecullen where people are invited to place their petition for prayers for their worries, illnesses and sufferings," they explained.

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Each evening a selection of these petitions are read out at Mass. Petitions can also be sent by email to gkparish@gmail.com.

The services will begin with prayers of the Rosary at 7pm, led by the Poor Clare sisters. This will be followed by Mass at 7.30pm celebrated by Parish Priest Fr. John Dunphy.

Four of the local parish choirs will lead the music each night along with the Poor Clare Sisters. Jessica Nolan and Cathriona Kelly will lead the congregation in the hymns for the nine nights.

The Graiguecullen Novena services have a long tradition of featuring household names as speakers.

For their 20^th annual Novena last year, speakers included sports stars Niall Quinn, Richie Power and Ger Brennan. The congregation also heard from Eurovision winner Dana Rosemary Scallon and Peadar Tóibín TD.