Left to right: Mark Armstrong (Library Trustee), Ambassador Anne-Marie Boisbouvier (Library Trustee & Ambassador of Monaco to UNESCO), Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Peter K. Murphy (Library Trustee/Retired Ambassador), Michael Tierney (Deputy Ambassador of Ireland to France & Monaco), Ambassador Maguy Maccario Doyle (Amb of Monaco to the USA) and Pierre Joannon (Retired Consul General of Ireland to France for 50 years and former Library Trustee).
Copyright for all photos of the 40th anniversary: Axel Bastello/Palais princier
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20th November 2024
A private concert was held at the Library in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II and the HRH Princess of Hanover, who had inaugurated the Library on 20th November 1984 along with Their father Prince Rainier III, as a tribute to Their mother, née Grace Kelly.
Performing were young students from the Académie Rainier III and traditional flute player Dr Fintan Vallely. The songs were from the music collection that Princess Grace acquired from Michael O'Donnell who like the Princess' grandfather John Henry Kelly hailed from County Mayo and finally settled in Philadelphia. The songs span from 1840 to 1970 and represent a significant chapter in Ireland's history,including the famine, which resulted in many Irish people emigrating to America in search of a better life.
A beautiful, commemorative book to mark the 40th anniversary of the Library, filled with photos of Princess Grace and Her family visiting Ireland was presented to HSH Prince Albert II and HRH the Princess of Hanover. The Prince and Princess also viewed a short film, which was specially produced for the occasion by the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco with archival footage from the inauguration in 1984, as well as an interview with writer Anthony Burgess, a former Trustee of the Library.
To view the digital commemorative book click HERE
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To view the film from 1984 click HERE
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Students from the Académie Rainier III who performed for the event and had spent the academic year 2023/2024 preparing the songs, which were recorded in June 2024 and are included via QR codes in the commemorative book to mark the 40th anniversary of the Library. Singers: Elina Bayle, Odelette Wallace, Carla Zetter; Harpists: Anaïd Conquet, Marie Fantino, Margaux Horgne, Noël Nardi; Harpsichord: Camila Lopez Morales and Violist: Maria Atanasoaei
Our thanks and gratitude to the music teachers at the academy: Camille Mugot, Noëlle Vera, Marie-Anne Losco and Marguerita Guerchovitch
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Click HERE for L'Académie Rainier III Musique & Théâtre website
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Fintan Vallely, a renowned traditional Irish flute player.
Harpist Margaux Horgne
Noël Nardi, a harpist at the Académie Rainier III, presents a bouquet to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover.
Arriving by foot from the palace to the Princess Grace Irish Library, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco is greeted by Mr. Peter K. Murphy, one of the library trustees and a dear friend of the Prince's family
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco enters the Princess Grace Irish Library, followed by Her Royal Highness the Princess of Hanover and the Library Trustees Mr. Peter K. Murphy, Ambassador Anne-Marie Boisbouvier and Mr. Mark Armstrong. They pass the beautiful portrait of Princess Grace, commissioned and painted during Her lifetime in 1958 by the American artist Mohamed Drisi.
TV interview on MonacoInfo with Ambassador Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, l’Ambassadeur Extraordinaire et Plénipotentiaire de Monaco, Délégué Permanent auprès de l’ U.N.E.S.C.O.
Students from the Académie Rainier III perform for VIP guests in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and HRH Princess of Hanover.
Copyright of all photos of the 40th anniversary: Axel Bastello/Palais princier
Peter K. Murphy, one of the Library Trustees, presents the 40th anniversary commemorative book to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, 40 years after the inauguration of the Library, which the Prince attended with His father Prince Rainier III and His sister H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover, the latter assumed the role of President of Their mother's Foundation, which Princess Grace created in 1964, 60 years ago.
Left to right: HRH the Princess of Hanover, President of the 'Princesse Grace Fondation' in Monaco, Peter K. Murphy, one of the Library Trustees, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and Paula Farquharson, Director of the Princess Grace Irish Library.
To view the digital version of the limited-edition commemorative book
click HERE
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Fundraising event to benefit the Library
Following the private concert held at the Library in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II and the HRH Princess of Hanover, a musical lunch was hosted at the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation to fundraise for the Princess Grace Irish Library. We are very grateful for the generous support of our host the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and especially to Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, founder of the Foundation and a supporter of charitable initiatives in Monaco, in Ireland and beyond.
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Support for the commemorative book
We thank the Embassy of Ireland to France and Monaco for sponsoring the music element of this event and for supporting the production of the commemorative 40th anniversary book by awarding a grant to employ a Deputy Editor. Recently graduated from Trinity College Dublin, Adrianna Rokita filled the role perfectly and was a valuable asset to this project. Adrianna holds a MPHIL in Literary Translation.
