The late Princess is just one of two Graces set to be honoured in Mayo.
A sculpture of the late Princess Grace of Monaco has been revealed in Newport, County Mayo. Prince Albert attended the unveiling of the statue, created by sculptor Mark Rode, in his mother’s honour.
Grace Kelly visited Mayo three times in her lifetime due to her ancestral roots. Her grandfather was born in Drimurla, and emigrated to Philadelphia in 1887, where Grace would later be born in 1929.
The princess first visited Mayo after marrying Prince Rainier in 1961.
Princess Grace sculpture is based on this image selected by Prince Albert. Hollywood meets Monaco royalty @rtenews #Newport #PrincessGrace pic.twitter.com/pZznayzkk9
— Teresa Mannion (@TeresaMannion) March 16, 2023
The statue honouring the princess was officially unveiled in Newport on Thursday 16th March; it can be found near the landmark seven arches bridge.
One of the event organisers, Darragh McGee, said this of the unveiling.
“We’re delighted to have Prince Albert unveil the statue. Mark Rode is a very talented sculptor and we’ve enjoyed watching him over the past year as his project nears completion. He works out of his studio in Swinford and we’ve been in and out watching him put the finishing touches to the statue.”
Grace Kelly is one of two Graces being honoured in Newport; the other is Mayo Pirate Queen Grace O’Malley. According to RTÉ News, Rode is expected to create a sculpture of O’Malley that will be ready in 2024.
Other famous sculptures by Rode include the Obamas in Moneygall, as well as the Titanic Memorial in Lahardane.
Header image via Twitter/TeresaMannion
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