Random Giggle!
Spotted this yesterday, Im very open about the fact that I do not like this statue, being an artist I just don’t see how a Sculptor could pick this particular role of Harris as an ideal for his portrayal in statue form. I really do think there are other more appropriate roles and characters he has played that would have been more at home in the surrounds of a Limerick audience.
Apparently im not the only one who finds the statue more amusing than inspiring of our native acting hero.
Personally I think this makes Harris look like Burger King than anything else, and I just have to say hats off to the dude I saw put this ciggy in his mouth :)
April 29th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Yeah its a rubbish statue alright .Shouldve been modeled on the Bull McCabe from The Field .
April 29th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
What is your art medium Squid?
April 29th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
This is the work of lette, I seem to be getting credit for posts and approved comments today even though I didn’t come on line until 8pm.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I’m glad tgat someone has written about the statue of Richard Harris, why? because there is a spelling mistake on one or more of the plaques at the base of the statue. It reads “Richard Harris’s,” instead of “Richard Harris”. I don’t know how much was paid for the statue, but it should have been examined for any errors (including spelling errors) before it was fully approved.
What do you think?
Johnny.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Agree, its a terrible statue.
They should’ve had him in his natural Irish look.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Johnny Rotten: It’s a horrible statue, but that’s not a mistake. That’s the right way to spell it. The “s” is only omitted after a plural, not when the word actually ends in an “s”.
For example: St James’s Gate.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Don’t see why he had to be portrayed like this. Even if they showed him as a rugby player it would have nearer to the real guy. Incidentally,I never met him but from what I read over the years I’m no great admirer.
April 29th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
who cares.
richard harris was a fine actor, but he was an egomaniac, never spoke about anyone only himself and all he did when he came to limerick was get drunk and hang out with snobs, did he ever walk around the real limerick, i dont think so. he was a brit deep down same as bob geldof and terry wogan.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:58 am
I agree Starkie, to be honest he was a good actor, and only a good one, he wasn’t outstanding in any way, in my books anyhow, but I agree an Irish role like “The Bull” would definately have been more suitable.
Pat, Im in Fine Art Printmaker, an digital print would be my preference, Photography and digital manipulation etc.
But considering Sculpture is a Fine Art Medium, I have gone to college learning the same texts and same fine art history and techniques as the person that did these, and I still cant figure out why they chose Camelot! if its supposed to be the connection with Kings Island and King Johns castle and all that, thats just stupid! because King Aurther has nothing to do with Limerick!
April 30th, 2008 at 11:47 am
I think the statue is poor and in due course will be removed.
April 30th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
If he had a pint in the other hand it might start resembling him if you squinted just a little. The fag helps a bit though.
April 30th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Starkie…………….Harris best pals in town were Young Munster supporters and Charlie St. Georges regulars. When I was a kid it was Frosts and Sullivans pubs on Careys road. Hardly places to find snobs. He was a gentleman and loved Limerick.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
personally i think a statue of sean sabhat should have been put there instead.
he was a limerick legend as he took the fight to the brit occupation forces in the ira border campaign of 56-62.
a better son of limerick than any limerick man i could ever think of.
he lived on henry st, which is just up the road.
and the annaul sean sabhat comms even start on bedford row.
maybe city hall could be lobbied to do this.
wheres the irish pride gone.
and to hell with any brit licker allsorts who disagree with me.
and i agree with starkies post,harris was a brit deep down.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
my pet hate is bob geldof.
an arrogant, big mouth who is now flaunting his irishness whn for years he was a brit. when he was meeting maggie thatcher after the live aid tghing, which was a good thing,i must say, she said to him its just what a good brit would do, he should have replied, but i am actually irish , mamt. but he was a gutless man. he goes on the late late show then telling us we have become obscene because we have a bit today, he himself is worth 40 million sterling. as hole.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:13 am
I remember reading here that the statue was ordered by mistake. Anyway it is better than the one in Kilkee.
May 1st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
The cigarette is probably the most fitting thing about the statue. I wonder can it be kept going? Legend has it that there is always a lit cigarette in the hand of the statue of Carlos Gardel by his grave in Buenos Aires.
What ever about the choice of image of Richard Harris I find the execution of the statue very poor. In fact I find most modern monumental sculpture fairly poor and disappointing.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
why is sean sabhat so revered surely he was a terrorist. wasnt he actve in peacetime.. whats the difference between him and the ira bombers of the 70s and 60s
i dont understand.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:48 pm
theres no difference.
the ira wanted an independent 32 county irish republic in the 60s 70s 80s
the ira wanted an independent 32 county irish republic in 56-62.
the ira wanted an independant 32 county irish republic in 1916-1921.
would you call the ira who won 26 of our 32 counties terrorists???
i call them freedom fighters and heroes
one mans terrorist is another mans freedom fighter
its the continuity of the struggle
May 1st, 2008 at 5:51 pm
“wasnt he active in peacetime”
starkie can you explain what you mean please,i dont understand
May 1st, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Either someone explain to me what the IRA have to do with the Richard Harris statue or I will close this topic.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
nothing.
was simply saying statue commemorating sean sabhat would have been better than a statue of richard harris.considering the area imo.
he was a proud son of limerick and he got the biggest funeral ever in limerick.i think 50,000 people.
the richard harris statue is an eyesore everyone has to agree
May 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
squid.
the connection between richard harris, s statue and sean sabhat is a response to kevins blog he said the statue should have been put up for sean sabhat. im letting this subject die now . time to move on.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 am
ronnie kray of the infamous kray twins had the second biggest funeral in the uk, after churchill, does that make him a nice guy, a murderer who never worked a day in his life. a lot of people go to funerals just to be seen ,particularly in limerick, sickos , these parisites.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
i had a feeling you were british with your negative comments.
you’ve just proved me right.
i thought you were “letting this subject die now”
well i am.
slan
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
bye
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:47 pm
I’m curious as to who paid for the statue. I assume it was through our public taxes. Honestly, does ANYONE like this statue? Has there been ANY positive response to it?
Public art…So tricky to get right.
May 7th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Will someone tell me what was so GREAT about Richard Harris? What did he ever do for Limerick? Did he ever donate money to the poor in this city? NO NO he didn’t