The 14th of September 2012 is the 30th Anniversary of the death of Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco, the legendary Hollywood screen siren Grace Kelly. The grandfather of the late Hollywood star and princess, John Peter Kelly, who hailed from Drimurla near Newport, County Mayo, emigrated to Philadelphia in 1887. During a number of visits to Newport in the 1960s and 1970s, Princess Grace became familiar with the birthplace of her forebears and even purchased the family homestead.

We will be screening seven of Grace Kelly’s most iconic films, using the 100-seater Cinemobile, which will be located in the grounds of the local National School. Opening Night, Friday 14th, we will host a ‘Red Carpet Gala Night’ with a screening of the film ‘High Society’, along with VIP Guests in attendance. There will also be exhibitions in the Tourist Office with memorabilia of Grace Kelly and her husband Prince Rainier III on their visits to Newport.

To some, the idea of travelling to a distant locale to see movies makes no sense, after all you can see movies in your own city or town. But for others, combining travel with movie-going offers a happy partnership in which the rigors of sightseeing are lessened by taking time out each day to see films.

In just a few days at the Grace Kelly Film Festival, visitors will experience a little bit of the glamour of the 1950s, enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of Newport and gain an insight into our community and the legacy of our ancestors from Hollywood to Monaco.

A nominal booking fee will apply to online sales.

Visit www.gracekellyfilmfestival.ie or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Grace-Kelly-Film-Festival/369853786402149 for more information.