Mayo town plans to commemorate Princess Grace and Grace O'Malley

NEWPORT Business Association has unveiled plans to commemorate the late Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco and Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley (Granuaile).

Newport is to be marketed as the town of 'The Two Graces', and statues of both iconic women are to be erected in the town.

Newport has the only ancestral link to Princess Grace and a long historical link with Grace O'Malley, both of whom they believe need to be commemorated and celebrated.

Prince Albert of Monaco, who, like Princes Grace has visited the family's ancestral home, has indicated that he will attend the unveiling of his mother's statue, scheduled for mid 2022.

The project, say Newport Business Association, will give the town its own unique identity, increasing revenue in the form of increased tourism activity.

Newport Business Association will be applying to LEADER for funding for the project, to a maximum 75%, and the remainder will be raised through fundraising and donations.

They have set up a GoFundMe page and are appealing for public support for the project: 'As you can appreciate, in the current climate fundraising is proving difficult, but we will continue to make every effort to succeed.

'We have set up a GoFundMe page to help with raising funds. We would like you to share it near and far to friends and family at home and overseas.

'Your support and the support of Newport diaspora near and far will be greatly appreciated.'

The link to donate is: https://gofund.me/5622440d.