Harris Family Receive Inaugural Patrons’ Award

Damian Harris, son of legendary actor Richard Harris and Richard’s granddaughter Ella were in London last night to receive the inaugural Munster Rugby Patrons’ Award, the highlight of Munster Rugby’s Patrons dinner held in London.

The Munster Rugby Patrons’ Award recognises an individual who through his or her life or work encapsulates Munster’s values of Passion, Integrity, Ambition, Excellence and Community.

Richard Harris was a Munster Rugby patron in its truest sense, and Munster Rugby are honoured to have the Patron’s Award named after him. He is the first recipient, and others who follow have very large shoes to fill.

Everywhere he went he espoused his love of Munster Rugby and what it meant to him. Having represented Munster Rugby both at Schools and U20’s level, he understood and demonstrated the heritage, values and passion Munster Rugby instilled in all those who play with and support them. Such was his pride in the jersey, he treasured his Munster U20’s jersey and famously wore it to the Heineken Cup Final in 2002. Tuberculosis cut his rugby career short, and Munster’s loss was the acting world’s gain as he went on to star in over 70 movies and became one of the genuine stars of the silver screen.

Richard never got to play for the Munster Senior team, and it would be another four years before his beloved province won the elusive trophy in Cardiff. Last night, Munster Rugby showed it’s appreciation for one of its greatest ambassadors, and offered deepest thanks to his family.

Sculptor Jarlath Daly created a unique piece which was presented to the Harris Family, with a replica being presented each year thereafter at the annual Munster Rugby Patrons’ Dinner in London.

Writing in a newspaper before the Heineken Cup Final of 2002, the Limerick native explained his love of the sport:

“How do you explain a love affair? It belongs to the heart, not the head. Something to be embraced, or spurned – there can be no middle ground. There are those who stare blank-faced when I talk of rugby but others instantly understand my breathless enthusiasm and stomach-churning anxiety. We are the lucky ones.

“I would give up all the accolades- people have occasionally written and said nice things – of my showbiz career to play just once for the senior Munster team. I will never win an Oscar now, but even if I did I would swap it instantly for one sip of champagne from the Heineken Cup.”

Damian Harris and Ella Harris with Munster's Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray and Damien Varley.