04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Limerick honours late actor Richard Harris with exhibition on his life and career
Acclaimed actor Richard Harris has been posthumously honoured at the launch of a new exhibition celebrating his life, where he was described as a towering figure who carried 'both Ireland and Limerick with him'.
The new exhibition tells the story of Mr Harris's remarkable life and career — from his Limerick childhood through to international stardom.
It includes personal letters, annotated scripts, film props, costumes, rare photographs, and unseen family footage, offering a deep insight into both the public and private man.
Richard Harris, pictured in 1982.
His family attended a special Mayoral Reception at Limerick's Hunt Museum for the launch of the exhibition, which is called From Dickie to Richard – Richard Harris: Role of a Lifetime, and is open at the museum until November 16.
Mr Harris's children, including renowned actor Jared, Jamie, and Damian were in attendance. They were presented with an official Mayoral scroll, posthumously commemorating Mr Harris's remarkable contributions to Limerick's story, the arts, to the cultural legacy of Ireland, and to the global stage.
Speaking at the event, Jared Harris said: 'Damian, Jamie and I are delighted with this honour.
'Wherever he was in the world, dad carried both Ireland and Limerick with him. He flew the flag proudly for his city and country. Woe betide anyone who dared challenge him about either.
"He watched with great pride the generations of Irish artists in all fields who followed, and he had hand couriered video recordings of every Irish International and Munster match to his home in the Bahamas. At which point our hopes of watching anything else disappeared for the next five days.'
Mr Harris was a Golden Globe winner, Cannes laureate, and twice Oscar-nominated actor.
His career spanned six decades, with iconic roles including Frank Machin in This Sporting Life, King Arthur in Camelot, Bull McCabe in The Field, and Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter.
Limerick mayor John Moran, said: 'Richard Harris showed the world that someone from Limerick could rise from local roots to global stages without ever compromising his authenticity. His story is a reminder of the creative fire that lives in Limerick, in its storytellers, its actors, its musicians, and its dreamers.
The characters he brought to life for us all will live with us forever.
'As a huge personal fan of the Harry Potter series, I am honoured and privileged to be able to offer this recognition on behalf of the people of Limerick, and let his family know how proud we all are of Richard.
"With this long-overdue gesture I hope too that the next generation of artists can believe, as Richard did, that the world is theirs for the taking.'
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