Princess Grace documentary to premiere on TG4 on Christmas Day

A TG4 documentary about Grace Kelly is sure to enthrall Mayo viewers on Christmas Day. 'Banphrionsa Mhaigh Eo - Mayo's Princess' will tell the story of the granddaughter of a Newport man who became a fashion icon, an Oscar winning actress and one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars before walking away from Hollywood to start a new life as the Princess of Monaco. 

She connected deeply to her Mayo roots and her visits to Ireland captivated the world’s media and touched all those she met. Her frequent trips to her ancestral home outside Newport saw her welcomed by her extended Irish family as the world’s press looked on. In this fascinating documentary, viewers find out why this exceptional woman felt so at home in Ireland. Her frequent Irish trips are documented, starting with the ground breaking 1961 visit – the first official visit by a head of State after Ireland declared a Republic and on throughout the 1960’s and 70’s. 

Featuring exclusive interviews with her son, Prince Albert II - the reigning Prince of Monaco,  her nephew JB Kelly, niece, Susan Kelly vonMedicus, and extended Irish family. The Royal Palace in Monaco have shared rare archive footage from her private collection and the documentary features never before seen film and stills. 

The town of Newport and the people of Mayo embraced Grace as one of our own and the documentary features many memories from family members who met her during her frequent trips home. Anna Hackshaw recalls meeting her in Westport while Paddy Quinn’s father took her fishing. The town recently celebrated their connection to Grace by inviting Prince Albert to unveil a statue in her memory and the documentary crew were on hand to capture that. Shooting at the Palace and throughout Monaco, in her hometown of Philadelphia and her ancestral home in Newport, the film visits many of the places associated with Grace throughout her life. From her family home and the theatre where she first appeared on stage to the grandeur of the Royal Palace in Monaco, the film follows Grace’s life from fashion model and movie star to Princess. 

Her place as an important Irish-American icon is discussed as the film reveals how she played an important part in breaking down Irish stereotypes throughout the United States. Grace was a trailblazing, talented, determined woman who scaled the heights of Hollywood and then walked away from it all on her own terms. Combining deeply personal interviews with unique archive, what emerges is an intimate portrait of one of the world’s most iconic women and a glimpse into her private Irish life as viewers discover why being Irish was so important to her.

The documentary will air at 9.30pm on Christmas Day on TG4.

Contributors include: An Prionsa Albert II - Son, Susan Kelly vonMedicus - Niece, JB Kelly - Nephew, Enda Kenny – former Taoiseach, Mary Keane - Newport, Áine Ryan – Journalist, Julie Langan - Musician, Anne McGovern – Relation, Joe McDermott - local historian, Anna Hackshaw – Relation, Paddy Quinn – Relation, Sean Walsh – Relation, Professor  Ríonach Uí Ógáin – Author, Mary Pat Kelly – Author, Peter Murphy – former diplomat, Paula Farquharson-Blengino – Director – Princess Grace Library, Sorcha Ní Ghallachóir – Villanova University, Filideilfia, An tOllamh Mary Burke – Author - ‘Race, Politics & Irish America, Dr Úna Ní Bhroiméil – Professor of American History, Aedín Gormley – Broadcaster.