Princess Grace Irish Library celebrates 40 years of Irish heritage in Monaco

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Princess Grace Irish Library, a cherished cultural institution in Monaco that has long celebrated Irish heritage and literature. Inaugurated on November 20, 1984, by Prince Rainier III, the library was created in memory of his late wife, Princess Grace, whose deep affection for her Irish roots inspired its founding.

Housed at 9 Rue Princesse Marie de Lorraine on Le Rocher, the library operates under the aegis of the Princess Grace Foundation. Its unique collection includes Irish-American books, historical references, and an array of sheet music collected by Princess Grace herself. The library is a testament to her enduring passion for Irish culture and serves as a bridge connecting three countries close to her heart: Ireland, the United States, and Monaco.

This year’s celebrations highlight “A Retrospective of the Life of Princess Grace: Her Irish Origins and Passion for Irish Culture.” Through exhibitions and events, visitors can explore Grace Kelly’s family history, tracing her roots back to her grandfather, John Kelly, who emigrated from Ireland to America at the age of 20. The Kelly family rose to prominence in Philadelphia, and their legacy endures through Grace’s descendants, many of whom remain in the area.

Music has played a key role in the commemorations. Students from Monaco’s Rainier III Academy performed selections from Princess Grace’s personal collection of sheet music, continuing a fruitful collaboration with conservatories in Monaco and Ireland, including Dublin’s Technological University.

In addition, the Monaco Postage Stamp Issuing Office released a special commemorative stamp on September 4 to honour the library’s four decades of fostering Irish heritage in the Principality. A total of 40,000 copies were made available for purchase at Monaco’s Stamp and Coin Museum, local post offices, and Paris’s Carré d’Encre.

As Monaco also concludes its centenary celebrations of Prince Rainier III’s birth, the anniversary of the Princess Grace Irish Library serves as a poignant reminder of the couple’s shared commitment to cultural preservation and international connection. This milestone reinforces the library’s legacy as a hub for Irish literature, music, and history, enriching the cultural tapestry of Monaco while celebrating the enduring influence of Princess Grace’s Irish roots.