It is always a delight to chat with Paula Farquharson who is the ever enthusiastic and energetic director of the Princess Grace Irish Library.
Paula has done an immense amount of work in promoting the library, creating events and making it the buzzy, happy place that it is to visit. Quite how she keeps up with the number of visitors, planning and hosting events is beyond me! However, she does all this with zeal and with apparent ease.
I have always been a fan of this very cute and interesting library tucked away down a street leading to the Palace high up on Le Rocher in Monaco. I said library, well, it is much more than that. It is a place with a lot of books, that’s for sure, though it also has a wealth of other items associated with Princess Grace.
These include a wonderful and fascinating collection of sheet music together with memorabilia from the Princess herself. A first copy of Joyce’s Ulysses in French takes pride of place as does a true facsimile, holes and all, of the Book of Kells. It is also a cultural centre with speakers coming from all parts of the planet with a connection to Ireland and Monaco.
There is generally one event a month and maybe more! For example, Martin Doyle, who is the book editor for the Irish Times, will be presenting in October. Then there is a series of concerts for the Journée du Patrimoine in October where young musicians will be bringing their instruments in a celebration of Irish music and will, of course, include the wonderful sound of the very Irish harp. The many events show the extent of the Irish diaspora and the huge impact this has had in every corner of the planet.
It doesn’t stop there. The library offers residencies to Irish or Irish residents based on projects that they are currently starting out on. The idea is to provide a six month window in which they can concentrate, research their project and immerse themselves in the unique surroundings that the library and Monaco provides.
A special book was created to recognise the 40th year of the library’s existence. Each page tells its own story of why the library exists and what it means to so many people. The fact that it is virtually on the doorstep of the Prince’s Palace shows that it is close to the beating heart of what makes Monaco and this link to it so special. Prince Albert II continues to be very involved with the work of the library.
Check out the Princess Grace Irish Library web site, to keep up to date with all that is going on.
CONTACT DETAILS
The Princess Grace Irish Library
9, rue Princesse Marie-de-Lorraine
MC 98000 Monaco-Ville
Tel: + 377 93 50 12 25
Lead image © Mike Colquhoun; all other photos as credited
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