Nov
2024

40th Anniversary of the Princess Grace Irish Library

PRINCESS GRACE IRISH LIBRARY

A private concert was held at the library in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover, who had inaugurated the library on November 20, 1984 with their father Prince Rainier III, in tribute to their mother, née Grace Kelly.

Our young students from the Rainier III Academy and traditional flute player Dr. Fintan Vallely performed. The songs came from the music collection Princess Grace had acquired from Michael O'Donnell, who, like the Princess's grandfather John Henry Kelly, was originally from County Mayo and eventually settled in Philadelphia. The songs span the period from 1840 to 1970 and represent an important chapter in Irish history, including the famine, which led to the emigration of many Irish to America in search of a better life.

A beautiful commemorative book to mark the library's 40th anniversary, filled with photos of Princess Grace and her family visiting Ireland, was presented to H.S.H. Prince Albert II and H.R.H. The Princess of Hanover.

MonacoInfo's 7pm newscast featured an interview with Ambassador Anne-Marie Boisbouvier, Monaco's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

Students from the Académie Rainier III

who performed for the occasion and spent the 2023/2024 academic year preparing the songs, which were recorded in June 2024 and included via QR codes in the commemorative book for the library's 40th anniversary:

Lyrical singing | Elina Bayle, Odelette Wallace & Carla Zetter

Harpsichord | Camila Lopez Morales

Harps | Anaïd Conquet, Marie Fantino, Margaux Horgne & Noël Nardi

Violin | Maria Atanasoaei

Teachers at the Académie Rainier III

Lyric Voice | Marie-Anne Losco

Harpsichord | Camille Mugot

Harp | Noëlle Vera

Violin | Marguerita Guerchovitch

Axel Bastello / Palais Princier