The Princess Grace Irish Library is set to host a talk by historian Neal Doherty on January 22nd, exploring the Irish ancestry of Princess Grace.
Doherty, who works as a lecturer and tourism guide, will present a visual talk about County Mayo in Ireland’s west, where Princess Grace’s grandfather was born before emigrating to the United States in the late 1800s.
The presentation will look at why John Henry Kelly, then 20-years-old, left his homeland during a period marked by famine and widespread poverty. The talk will cover the harsh conditions faced by Irish emigrants, many of whom travelled on dangerous vessels that became known as “coffin ships” due to the high number of deaths during the Atlantic crossing.
Monaco’s link to Mayo
The Kelly family’s original home in Drimurla is now in the hands of Prince Albert II. He had toured the site back in 2011 alongside Princess Charlene, who back then was still his fiancée. That visit had come five decades after Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III first travelled to Ireland in 1961.
In March 2023, Prince Albert returned to the area to unveil a statue honouring his mother in the town Newport.
About the speaker
Originally from Dublin, Doherty spent his early career in the food industry with Nestlé before changing direction to focus on history and guiding. He now leads private tours in both English and French from his base in western Ireland, and has written multiple guidebooks about Irish locations and monuments.
His tours in Mayo include stops at Drimurla, where he shared the Kelly family story with visitors.
Booking information
Entry costs €10, with a reduced rate of €5 for students. Tickets are available through my.weezevent.com, or by contacting the library directly via email at info@pgil.mc or phone on +377 93 50 12 25.
Those planning to pay on arrival should note that only cash or cheques made out to “Fondation Princess Grace” are accepted.
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Main photo: Princess Grace arrives in Ireland in June 1961 for the first time. © Princess Grace Irish Library Archives