Family raises a glass to a pub called Harris

IN his time, Richard Harris was known to consume a drink or two.

And, no doubt, he would have raised a glass to Limerick’s latest social venue. It’s a pub, bearing his name, located near the site of the old flour mill his family once owned in the city.

The Harris Bar and Brasserie commands a spectacular view of the River Shannon from the ground and first floor of the €100 million River Point building.

The late actor’s son Jarred has given a family seal of approval to the use of the Harris name and says he will call in for a drink there in the new year.

Mark McMahon, one of the four partners behind the new venture, said: “We were dealing with Jarred when deciding to use the Harris name and he gave the idea the family’s approval.

“He is abroad filming at present but there will be a little function for the family in the new year. It will be timed so that Jarred can come over.”

Limerick artist Una Heaton has been commissioned to do a portrait of Richard Harris, which will hang in the premises.

Mr McMahon said they had decided on the Harris name, because Richard Harris’s family owned a huge flour mill which was located nearby.

He said: “We feel that this will be an iconic landmark venue named after a man who was an internationally-known iconic character from Limerick.

“We also wanted to pay our own tribute to him.”

The Harris Bar and Brasserie opened last week and is already proving a big hit with customers.

Mr McMahon said: “The pub has that New York feel about it and people are just blown away when they come in and see what we have created.”