Published: Wednesday, 30th December, 2009 5:00pm

Cavan composer honours memory of Princess Grace

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Well-known Cavan-born Galway based composer Tom Cullivan, who is considered one of Ireland's finest classical composers and is a long-term resident of Ferbo, premiered a special piece to commemorate the late Princess Grace for her son Prince Albert II in Monaco.

Cullivan enchanted the guests at the Palais Princier, on the Rock of Monaco on Monday last, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Princess Grace Irish Library. His piece was entitled Failte Ui Cheallaigh and was performed in the Salle des Gardes on the Pleyel piano made in 1915 for Princess Charlotte (the mother of Prince Rainier III and HSH Princess Antoinette of Monaco). Cullivan delighted the audience with his four-minute piece composed specially for the evening and dedicated to Prince Albert II.

It was a poignant occasion as Prince Albert II welcomed the guests. Established in 1984 by Prince Rainier III in memory of his wife's attachment to her country of origin, the Library has become a dynamic cultural centre in its own right.

It is financed by the Princess Grace Foundation with support from the Ireland fund of Monaco (IFM) and the library organises regular lectures by speakers brought over from Ireland.

Speaking after the performance, Tom Cullivan said "Since I first visited the Princess Grace Irish Library almost a decade ago, there has been a very warm welcome in Monaco both for me and my music. While Failte Ui Challaigh means literally 'the welcome of the Kellys' I thought it a most appropriate title for the piece.

"When I finished playing, I had the added pleasure of presenting the Prince with a copy of the score. It was bound into an emerald green velvet cover using red and white cord (the Monagasque colours). It was a very pleasant, welcoming occasion and quite inspiring to hear the prince conclude his address in the Irish language".