VIDEO: Richard Harris to be honoured in his favourite Limerick pub

The Limerick pub where Russell Crowe flew thousands of miles to toast his late friend Richard Harris is to commemorate the great Limerick actor.

Harris had his last drink in his native city at Charlie St George’s in Parnell Street shortly before his death 13 years ago.

During that visit he viewed a special shrine in the bar dedicated to his career as an actor and his prowess as a rugby player.

Now a plaque is to be erected in his honour on the front of the premises.

Richard Harris’s son, Jared Harris, one of the stars of the Mad Men series will unveil the plaque on October 22 to signal the start a film festival which also bears his father’s name.

The Harris plaque will be the fourth stop on the Limerick Literary Trail established by The Limerick Writers Centre.

“Richard Harris was an actor but he was also a published poet and writer and it is this aspect of his career that the plaque will commemorate,” Dominc Taylor of the writers centre said.

“We are delighted that Jared will also read from published and unpublished work written by his father.”

After Harris’s death in 2002, Russell Crowe flew to Ireland for an unannounced personal and poignant visit.

After he touched down in Shannon he took a taxi to Charlie St George’s to remember his old friend in the pub Harris loved most. Regulars were dumbfounded when Crowe walked in and ordered a pint.

He told bar staff he felt he had to come as his own personal tribute to Harris whom he described as one of his best friends.

After an hour, Crowe left for Shannon where he boarded his private jet.

Harris played rugby for Garryowen and Munster.

However, he switched club allegiances to Young Munster after his playing days were cut short due to illness.