On 20th November 2024, exactly 40 years to the day in 1984, when they inaugurated the Princess Grace Irish Library in tribute to Their mother, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco & H.R.H. Princess of Hanover attended a special 40th anniversary music celebration at the Library.

Click here to read the book

A presentation of a limited-edition commemorative book marked this milestone in the history of the Library, in honour of Princess Grace and her attachment to Ireland. The trustees of the library are delighted to invite you to enjoy the digital version of the book, which is freely available to everyone.

Editorial team: Paula Farquharson & Adrianna Rokita (Research, editing & translations)

© Éditions des Archives du Palais/ Princess Grace Irish Library

The Princess Grace Irish Library celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024.This beautiful new stamp to commemorate this special occasion is available to purchase until the end of summer 2026 from the Office des Timbres de Monaco & post offices in the Principality of Monaco.  The Library was inaugurated on 20th November 1984 by Prince Rainier III as a tribute to his late wife's attachment to Ireland, in the presence of their three children.

Fáilte - welcome.

The library is located near the Palace on "the Rock" (Le Rocher) in the Principality of Monaco:
9 rue Princesse Marie-de-Lorraine
MC 98000
Phone : +377 93 50 12 25

Fáilte - welcome

To a hidden treasure on the Rock near the palace and one of the Principality’s cultural gems.

The Princess Grace Irish Library was inaugurated on 20th November 1984 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco as a tribute to his wife Princess Grace and the attachment she felt for her Irish origins. It is home to Princess Grace's personal collection of Irish books and Irish-American sheet music, as well as beautiful reference books and items of historical value, photos and art works. 

The Library has English-language books by Irish authors to borrow and we regularly organise cultural events. It is under the ægis of the Fondation Princesse Grace and is situated in the former hôtel particulier of Comte Félix Gastaldi (1821-1906), Mayor of Monaco for 39 years.

More information and watch the video HERE.

We are located at:

9 rue Princesse Marie-de-Lorraine,

Principality of Monaco, MC 98000

Phone : +377 93 50 12 25

Open Monday (9:00-17:00) to Friday (9:00-16:00). The library is closed at the weekend.

This is a recurring theme for the Library, echoing the achievements and influence of the Irish diaspora. Princess Grace of Monaco née Grace Kelly of the Kelly family hailing from County Mayo, played Her part and Her descendants continue her legacy.

A state visit in 1961 heralded the homecoming of one of Ireland's own. Their Serene Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Monaco met the President of Ireland Eamon de Valera and other dignitaries. Princess Grace was welcomed by Her family in the village of Drimurla in County Mayo, overlooking the Leg of Mutton lake, where Her grandfather John Henry Kelly was born in 1847 during the Great Famine. He emigrated to the United States of America aged 20 years old and founded what was to become one of Philadelphia's leading construction companies. His descendants are representative of the success story of the Irish diaspora - their reach and influence is far-reaching and continues to this day in the performing arts, sport, planetary health and much more.

Princess Grace's attachment to Ireland and its literature prompted Her to acquire collections of rare Irish books and Irish American music sheets, now housed at the library in Her namesake providing a rich resource for acadmics and musicians.