Limerick to host exhibition of Richard Harris's never-seen-before memorabilia

Irish Examiner

01-06-2025

A new exhibition is set to bring never-seen-before memorabilia of Richard Harris back to his native Limerick.
From 'Dickie to Richard' - Richard Harris: Role of a Lifetime' is the first ever public exhibition of items drawn from the actor's own collection, including personal letters and annotated scripts to rare photographs, poetry, recordings, and sporting memorabilia.
A collaboration between the Harris Family, the Hunt Museum and University College Cork (UCC), the immersive exhibition will draw on the treasures of the Harris Archive, donated by the actor's family to UCC in 2022.
The exhibition will run at the Hunt Museum in Limerick city from July 4 to November 16.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Damien, Jared and Jamie Harris, said: 'Richard was a prolific writer and kept everything: Poems. Short stories. Scripts. Whether finished or works in progress. This exhibition gives people a sense of the depth and humour behind the public image. It means a lot to us to see it here in Limerick.'
Barry Monahan, Department of Film & Screen Media, University College Cork, said the exhibition "offers the public – fans of Richard, of the arts, and of Irish culture – a wonderful glimpse into the mind and creative energy of this impressive and enigmatic Irishman, and it sheds light on the times and places in which he lived and worked.'
CEO of the Hunt Museum, Teresa Crowley described the exhibition as a 'homecoming for Richard'.
'It not only honours his extraordinary career but celebrates his Limerick, Munster, and Irish roots, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore his artistic and sporting world in the city where his journey began,' Ms Crowley said.
In addition to the main exhibition, an exciting series of public talks, film screenings, and events will accompany the show throughout its run with full details to be announced in the coming weeks.
The Richard Harris International Film Festival
Meanwhile, last October, The Richard Harris International Film Festival (RHIFF) in Limerick had to be postponed due to 'financial constraints'. The festival, which has been running for over a decade, was due to take place from October 23-28.
RHIFF festival director, Zeb Moore, told the Irish Examiner: 'We're delighted to see the arrival of the exhibition to the home of Richard Harris. We are looking forward to possible collaborations over the tenure of the exhibition.'
The RHIFF did not secure any State funding in 2023 or 2024, which put a strain on resources. Despite what was described as a "setback", the team behind the festival said they are still exploring all avenues so the event can go ahead in October 2025.
'We look forward to welcome back our international guests to the city and showcase what Limerick and the surrounding regions have to offer to the film industry,' Mr Moore added.
Over the years, RHIFF has grown into one of Ireland's premier film festivals, showcasing more than 1,000 films, including Irish and international features, shorts, documentaries, and animation.
From 2017 to 2019, the festival was selected by the Department of Foreign Affairs to represent Ireland at the Global Irish Festival Series.
The festival has been recognised for its programming, which includes special tributes to Richard Harris, workshops, and panels that offer insights into the world of cinema. Last year, actor Jamie Dornan was honoured by the festival for "outstanding talent".
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Jared Harris 'delighted' the Richard Harris Archives have found a home in Cork