Limerick has paid tribute to one of its most celebrated sons, the late actor, poet, and artist Richard Harris in the presence of his family, at a special Mayoral Reception at Limerick’s Hunt Museum.
The reception was facilitated during the launch of the landmark exhibition, “From Dickie to Richard – Richard Harris: Role of a Lifetime”, now open at the Hunt Museum until November.
Mayor of Limerick, John Moran, who also previously served as Chair of the Hunt Museum, presented an official Mayoral scroll to the Harris family, posthumously commemorating Harris’s remarkable contributions to Limerick’s story, the arts, to the cultural legacy of Ireland, and to the global stage. Richard’s children, including renowned actor Jared Harris, Jamie Harris, and Damian Harris were in attendance.
Honouring Richard Harris
Richard Harris was a towering figure in the world of cinema and theatre — a Golden Globe winner, Cannes laureate, and twice Oscar-nominated actor. His career spanned six decades, with iconic roles ranging from the tormented Frank Machin in This Sporting Life, to the doomed King Arthur in Camelot, to the fierce Bull McCabe in The Field, and finally the wise and enigmatic Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter.
Harris’ work consistently reflected values that resonate deeply with Limerick: resilience, integrity, creativity, and an unflinching commitment to telling stories that matter.
Mayor of Limerick John Moran paid tribute, saying:
“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 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 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.”
Jared Harris expressed gratitude for the honour, saying:
“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 matches to his home in the Bahamas. At which point our hopes of watching anything else disappeared for the next 5 days.”
About the Exhibition – “From Dickie to Richard”
The exhibition tells the story of 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.
The exhibition runs at the Hunt Museum from 4 July to 16 November 2025.