TOWN PLANS BIG WELCOME FOR MONACO PRINCE
ALBERT II TO OPEN ROSE GARDEN BY THE BOYNE
A ROSE garden, dedicated to the late Princess Grace of Monaco, will be officially opened by her son, Prince Albert II, on Friday afternoon.
The prince is in Drogheda to speak at a major biodiversity conference at the Boyne Valley Hotel, organised by local man Philip McCabe,
He is expected to unveil the rose garden on the Rathmullen Road around 2pm and will then travel to the Highlanes Gallery on Laurence’s Street.
His parents, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, visited Drogheda in 1961 when they met Mother Mary Martin in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. They also made a donation towards the hospital.
The previous Royal visitor to Drogheda in a State capacity, was the then Prince of Wales, who received the Freedom of the Borough in the late 1700s. He later became King George IV.
Laurence’s Street will be closed to traffic and parking from 7am on Friday morning as part of the security arrangements.
PRINCE Albert II of Monaco will head the third official major Royal visit in Drogheda’s history when he arrives on the Boyneside on Friday morning.
He is in town to address a high profile biodiversity conference in the Boyne Valley Hotel on Friday morning and at 2pm, will pay a visit to St Dominick’s Park to formally open the Princess Grace Rose Garden, named in honour of his mother.
He will then go directly to the Highlanes Gallery before departing to Powerscourt for an ‘ Ireland Fund’ dinner.
He becomes the third member of the House of Grimaldi to pay a state visit to Drogheda, his parents, Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, were here in 1961 when they met Mother Mary Martin in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
The previous Royal visitor was the then Prince of Wales, who received the Freedom of the Borough in the late 1700s. He later became King George IV and reigned from 1820 to 1830.
For Mayor Pio Smith, the arrival of such a high profile figure will do much for the town’s image.
‘I am eagerly looking forward to the visit of Prince Albert of Monaco to our town on Friday. The prince’s visit is of particular significance as Drogheda, has an intimate connection with his late mother and father who visited the town back in 1961. During that visit Prince Rainier and Princess Grace presented a cheque to help with the ongoing building work at the Lourdes Hospital.
‘ That gift proved a very meaningful gesture as the hospital through the work of the Medical Missionaries of Mary and staff since then has had a very positive impact on the lives of many Drogheda citizens,’ he stated.
He also paid tribute to the man credited with sparking the visit, Phil McCabe, who is hosting the Biodiversity conference in the Boyne Valle Hotel, which Prince Albert will be attending.
‘ The Tidy Towns Committee and Chief Executive of Louth County Council Joan Martin should be acknowledged as this visit will attract international goodwill to Drogheda,’ he added.
Some restrictions will be in place on Friday. Laurence’s Street will be closed to traffic and all parking from 7am until 4pm. The Rathmullen Road will be remaining open.