President Mary McAleese said today she was deeply saddened to hear of the death of Monaco's Prince Rainier.
Ms McAleese said in a message to Prince Albert, the heir to the throne: "I have many fond memories of meeting with him during the course of my visit to the Principality five years ago - a visit which, I hope, served to reinforce the strong ties that have long existed between Monaco and Ireland.
"For many years the Irish people have felt a special affinity to the Principality through your late mother, Princess Grace, who was a great and much-loved friend to our country.
"On behalf of the people of Ireland, may I express my heartfelt condolences to you, to your family and to the people of Monaco at this most sad time," the President said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today conveyed the sympathy of the Government and its citizens to the family of Prince Rainier and the people of Monaco on their loss. He also paid tribute to the monarch as a European head of state and as somebody who had retained close links with Ireland.
"The affection felt by the people of Ireland for Prince Rainier and his family was of course strengthened by admiration for the late Princess Grace, and her pride in her Irish heritage," he said. Mr Ahern said the nation was very happy to welcome the royal family to Ireland on several occasions, official and private.
In 1956, Prince Rainier of Monaco married Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, whose family hailed from Ireland. Princess Grace's grandfather was born in Drimurla, Co Mayo, and emigrated to the US.
The Philadelphia-born princess returned to the family cottage at Drimurla, accompanied on her first visit in 1961 by her husband during their state visit to Ireland. The couple returned to the country two years later for a holiday in Dublin and Kerry.
Princess Grace later purchased the cottage and surrounding land. She was killed in a car crash in 1982 aged 54. Monaco has maintained close links with Ireland, with the Ireland Fund of Monaco promoting Hiberno-Monegasque relations.
Mr Ahern also recognised the "enormous contribution" which the late Prince made to the development of Monaco and its international standing.
"Despite the small size of the Principality, Prince Rainier became a highly respected international figure who epitomised the strength and the independent spirit of Monaco and its people. His loss will be felt at home and throughout Europe," he said.