Look Who Visited Ireland in the Sixties

Chaos at Gresham Hotel as Monaco Royals arrive for ball...

On 12 June 1961, an estimated 30,000 people were in Dublin's O'Connell Street to try and get a glimpse of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco.

14 people were taken to hospital and 50 others treated for minor injuries, as crowds jammed the street outside the Gresham Hotel, where the royal couple were attending a ball. On her arrival at the hotel, Princess Grace was reported to be concerned that someone might get seriously hurt in the crush.

Grace Kelly, the Irish-American star of 'High Noon', 'Rear Window', 'To Catch a Thief' and 'High Society' became a princess on her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956.

Princess Grace and Prince Rainier were in Ireland on an official visit and for a private holiday.

Although Telefis Éireann had not yet begun broadcasting, the visit was filmed and part of it was shown on the opening night of the television station on 31 December 1961.