NOREEN GRAHAM

The sad news came through on Tuesday morning that one of the first ladies of greyhound racing, Noreen Graham had sadly passed away.

The wife of the late Hall of Fame trainer Seamus Graham, Noreen was well known and much loved by so many in the sport.

While her late husband Seamus established himself as one of the greatest to ever put a dog on the lead, winning the Irish Derby on three occasions and an English Derby, as well as countless classics, he couldn’t have achieved all he did without the back up and support of Noreen.

Noreen was a wonderfully warm, intuitive person and will be greatly missed by those that knew her. The matriarch of the Graham family, we send our thoughts to her large family, many of which have had a long association with greyhound racing.

Her son Diarmuid was the righthand man to his father Seamus for so many years, while Colm was also a trainer. Her son in law, Michael Daly, was also one of the most prominent stud keepers in the country for a number of years.  

Noreen herself owned many dogs over the years, some that were very useful, but her influence on the sport behind the scenes was immense. Aside from training classic winners at their Ballickmoyler base, Seamus and Noreen also bred and reared a number of superstars with their bloodlines continuing to produce champions to this day.

We would like to send on our sincerest condolences to her children Philip, Mary, Diarmuid, Aileen and Colm, her brothers Jimmy, Michael, Gerard, Robert and Noel, her sisters Rita, Sheila and Marie, her beloved grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and her many close friends.

May She Rest In Peace

Funeral Details

The death has occurred of Noreen Graham (née Byrne)

''Mount Prospect'', Tolerton, Ballickmoyler, Carlow / Castledermot, Kildare

Noreen Graham, nee Byrne, passed away peacefully on 13th December; 2022. surrounded by her family in the loving care of the doctors, nurses and staff at Aut Even Hospital, Kilkenny. Predeceased by her loving husband Seamus, infant brother Thomas Martin, sisters Joan, Patricia, Breda and Eileen and most recently deceased brother Pat (Sport). Noreen will be sadly missed by her children Philip, Mary, Diarmuid, Aileen and Colm, her adoring grandchildren, brothers Jimmy, Michael, Gerard, Robert and Noel, sisters Rita, Sheila and Marie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and her many close friends.

May Noreen Rest In Peace.

Reposing at her home, "Mount Prospect", Tolerton, (Eircode: R93 W674) on Wednesday from 4.00p.m. concluding with Rosary at 8.00p.m. Removal on Thursday at 1.30pm to Mayo Church, Tollerton arriving for Funeral Mass at 2.00p.m. Followed by burial in adjoining cemetery.

 House private on Thursday morning, please.

Family flowers only, please.

Donations, if desired to: Irish Cancer Society – Cancer Research: https://www.cancer.ie/ways-to-help/donate

Those that wish to leave a note of condolence can do so here: https://rip.ie/cb.php?dn=518013