Latest news with #HuntMuseum
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Denis Lehane: Richard Harris exhibition recharged my batteries
Farming for me, was learned, not from fancy books or from the wise words of a Teagasc adviser. No. I learned my farming the hard way. I learned it from TV, the movies and idle chat after Mass on a Sunday morning. A lot more farming was learned while holding a pool cue down in Bealnamorrive pub on a Friday night, than was ever picked up in Moorepark. Call me old-fashioned, call me blind to the modern world, call me deaf to modern trends, but I think far too much emphasis is placed on classrooms. The most important lessons in life are usually learned in the quarest of places. Back in the 1970s, when farmers ruled the world, and when RTÉ had the good sense to broadcast classic rural soaps like 'The Riordans', I learned many things about the land. I learned that wise old farmers, like Tom Riordan, usually wore grey hats and spoke very slowly. And later on, from Glenroe, I learned that you didn't have to be a genius to be a farmer, or to get married to a fine woman like Biddy. In fact, all you really needed to do was say words like "Well holy God!" I also learned that Joe Lynch, who hailed from the heart of Cork City could pass for a farmer, if given a convincing limp, a few dirty eggs, and the right cap. Glenroe gave me a great grounding in farming and in life. But it was from Richard Harris and his portrayal of The Bull McCabe in the movie The Field that I learned the most of all. Jamie, Damian, and Jared Harris viewing an exhibit at the launch of 'From Dickie to Richard — Richard Harris: The Role of a Lifetime', at the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Picture: Alan Place Richard Harris should have received an Oscar for his efforts — or at the very least an all-star award. But alas, he received very little. And this was shabby treatment for a man in his finest hour. Harris was brilliant, we will never see his likes again. Anyhow, when a current exhibition opened recently in Limerick, dedicated to the great Harris, it was no surprise to find me biting at the bit to go. I was like a hungry suckler calf bawling for the pap long before the doors opened. And when they finally opened, I rushed in like a bullock galloping into a meadow of freshly-grown grass. I was in my element. To say I was excited about the exhibition would be an understatement. The Harris exhibition was better than any farm walk for me. Harris and the Bull McCabe are to farming what Pelé is to soccer, or Pavarotti is to fine dining. Granted, The Bull was a little rough around the edges, but sure, even in the finest paintings you will find a chip or two, if you look closely enough. The Bull could also be abrupt at the table, and of course, not forgetting the murder. Yerra The Bull was far from perfect. I won't deny that. But sure, who in farming is without his or her share of faults? Let him who is without sin cast the first stone into the transport box. What makes The Bull so special in farming is his passion for the land. It's as simple as that. It was a passion that overshadowed everything else. And Harris in The Field gave us this passion in spades. Farming without passion is like a tractor without diesel. You are going nowhere without it. You are a spluttering failure. And, while you need a lot of things to farm successfully, if you don't have a passion for the job, you are wasting your time. The Harris exhibition in the Hunt Museum in Limerick had me spellbound from the moment I entered the building. And when I returned here to my farm in Kilmichael, I tackled my pike and hitched up to my wheelbarrow with renewed vigour. I was ready once again for whatever the land could throw at me. Like a flat battery after getting a recharge, I was energised for farming and was more than ready to take on the field. 'From Dickie to Richard — Richard Harris: The Role of a Lifetime' continues at the Hunt Museum until November 16, 2025.
RTÉ News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Richard Harris exhibition opens in Limerick city museum
A new exhibition of photographs, videos and many personal items depicting the life of the late actor Richard Harris has opened in Limerick city. The display, called 'Dickie to Richard', in The Hunt Museum tells the story of his life from childhood to his successful acting career. It also includes the cloak he wore while playing wizard Dumbledore in the Harry Potter series. Director and CEO of the Hunt Museum Teresa Crowley said that the exhibition has been in development over the last three years and that it is the result of a collaboration between the Harris family, University College Cork and the museum. Following his death in 2002, his family donated the actor's archive to UCC. "We thought of his life like a stick of rock, with very strong threads running through his entire life, his love for his family, his creative pursuits and his global stardom," Ms Crowley said. She said this helped create the pathway for the story of the exhibition. Richard Harris was born in 1930 and grew up in a happy, prosperous household in Limerick. He was fifth in a family of eight children. He was educated at the Jesuit Crescent College where he excelled at rugby, but contracted TB in his late teens, which kept him bedridden for two years. Mr Harris later said that it was during that convalescence that he turned to literature and developed a lifelong love for the written word, which translated into his interest in performing. Moving to London in 1955, he trained at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He then met the influential theatre director Joan Littlewood who cast him in The Quare Fellow by Brendan Behan in 1956. He then started getting some work in television, but it was his role as Frank, the classic angry young man in the 1963 movie 'This Sporting Life' that started his journey to film stardom. He won 'Best Actor' at the Cannes Film Festival that year for his role in the film. His global break came on the back of his role as King Arthur in Camelot. The crown he used in the film is also included in the exhibition. He went on to be cast in a number of films and his career spanned decades. Other roles included The Field, Gladiator, A Man Called Horse, Unforgiven and Patriot Games. His son Jared Harris, who is also an acclaimed actor, came to Limerick to open the exhibition. Mr Harris said that his father was "a larger than life character, adding that "in many ways he had to restrain his personality for the camera". He said that "to get the full effect of his personality, you had to see him either on stage, in a theatre piece, because then he just filled up the room". Jared Harris said it was his role as Dumbledore in Harry Potter that introduced his father to a new generation and he is delighted that Dumbledore's costume is in the exhibition. He said that the importance of his Limerick roots was always important to his father. Richard Harris was often spotted wearing a Munster rugby jersey. "He loved being brought right back, to who he was as a kid, as a young man," Jared Harris said. "This is where his identity was forged and where that dream started, if you like," he added. The exhibition runs until November in the Hunt Museum.
Irish Post
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Post
Richard Harris 'homecoming' exhibition opens in Co. Limerick
A NEW exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of Irish actor Richard Harris has opened in his native Co. Limerick. 'From Dickie to Richard — Richard Harris: Role of a Lifetime' offers a unique glimpse inside the life of the award-winning actor and global star, who never lost his deep connection to his hometown. Described as a 'homecoming' for the late actor, who passed away in 2002, the exhibition features never-before-seen materials from his personal archive. Opening at the Hunt Museum on Friday, it draws on the Richard Harris Archive, which was donated by the actor's family to University College Cork in 2022. "This exhibition is a homecoming for Richard," said Teresa Crowley, the museum's CEO. "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." 'Stunning tribute' Harris was twice nominated for an Oscar during a stellar career, first for 1963's This Sporting Life and again for the 1990 drama, The Field. He also had memorable roles in Camelot (1967), A Man Called Horse (1970), The Wild Geese (1978) and Unforgiven (1992). As well as critical acclaim, he also starred in several box office hits right up to his passing, including Ridley Scott's epic Gladiator (2000) and the first two Harry Potter films, in which he played Professor Dumbledore. The new exhibition is the first public display of items from Harris' personal collection, including annotated film and theatre scripts, letters, photographs, poetry, music recordings and memorabilia. Highlights include the original crown from Camelot, Harris' cherished Munster Rugby jersey and intimate 8mm home footage filmed in Limerick. Together, these pieces tell the story of an artist who defied convention across theatre, writing and music and whose influence continues to resonate. "The exhibition comprises carefully selected artefacts from the larger archive now housed, protected, preserved and researched at University College Cork for generations to come," said UCC President Professor John O'Halloran. "We were keen that the first public exhibition of the Richard Harris Archives occurred in Limerick and this collaboration with the Hunt Museum has produced a stunning tribute to one of the most iconic film actors of the late twentieth century." 'Creative fire' Harris' children Jared, Jamie and Damien attended the official opening of the exhibition during a special mayoral reception at the museum. Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, who also previously served as Chair of the museum, presented an official mayoral scroll to the family, posthumously commemorating Harris' contributions to Limerick's story, the arts, the cultural legacy of Ireland and to the global stage. "Richard Harris showed the world that someone from Limerick could rise from local roots to global stages without ever compromising his authenticity," said Mayor Moran. "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." The exhibition runs from Tuesday to Sunday until November 16, 2025. There is a general admission fee of €12.50 for adults, while tickets for students and those over 65 are €10 and children under 16 go free. You can book tickets by clicking here. See More: Limerick, Richard Harris, The Hunt Museum
Irish Independent
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Sons of Limerick legend Richard Harris open local exhibition of star's rare letters, photos and more
The event marked the launch of the landmark exhibition 'From Dickie to Richard – Richard Harris: Role of a Lifetime', now open to the public until November. Mayor of Limerick John Moran, who previously served as Chair of the Hunt Museum, presented an official Mayoral scroll to Mr Harris's family in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Limerick and the Irish arts scene. Mr Harris's sons; Jared, Jamie, and Damian Harris, accepted the honour. 'Richard Harris showed the world that someone from Limerick could rise from local roots to global stages without ever compromising his authenticity,' said Mayor Moran. '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 Mayor, it's my ambition to ensure that Limerick continues to be a place where creativity is not just celebrated, but cultivated. As a huge personal fan of the Harry Potter series, I am honoured and privileged 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.' Jared Harris, himself an acclaimed actor, said: 'Damian, Jamie and I are delighted with this honour. Wherever he was in the world, dad carried both Ireland and Limerick with him,' Jared said. '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.' The exhibition chronicles Mr Harris's journey from his childhood in Limerick to international stardom. On display are personal letters, annotated scripts, film props, costumes, rare photographs, and unseen family footage. The exhibition runs at the Hunt Museum from July 4 to November 16, 2025.
Irish Examiner
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Limerick to host exhibition of Richard Harris's never-seen-before memorabilia
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". Read More Jared Harris 'delighted' the Richard Harris Archives have found a home in Cork
