HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco unveiled the Grace Kelly statue in Newport, Co. Mayo earlier this month. The image was selected by him and produced by local sculptor, Mark Rode.
Mark Rode currently resides in the West of Ireland and works from a studio there. Some of his works include the statue of Barack Obama at Moneygall Co. Offaly and the Titanic Memorial at Addergoole, Co. Mayo.
Grace Kelly has ancestral roots in the West of Ireland and frequented Newport on a number of occasions. The upcoming statue comes as part of a plan to be seen at the town of ‘the two graces’ with Mark Rode currently working on the statue of Grace O’Malley with the planned unveiling scheduled for 2024.
The Statue of the famous Irish Pirate Queen is to be located close to the junction of Medlicott Street and Melcombe Street. Sitting on the site is an old boat used as a flower bed but the plans are to replace it with the bronzed sculpture of Grace O’Malley looking out from the ship.
Stephen Cope ( from Ballina) and Founder of Grace O’Malley whiskey was in attendance at the statue unveiling earlier this month and met with HSH Prince Albert to present him with a limited edition 18YO Single Malt Whiskey- Cognac Cask finish.
