Limerick city has fallen behind in delivering on its decision to erect a specially commissioned bronze statue of the late Limerick actor of international renown, Richard Harris, who was born on the Ennis Road.

Last year, Limerick City Council was unanimous in its approval for an appropriate, top-level public, permanent commemoration of the twice-Oscar nominated actor and star of Camelot, The Field, etc but so far, the life-size statue to be sculpted by Limerick born Jim Connolly has not materialised on the chosen city centre location of Bedford Row.

However, while the seaside town of Kilkee is preparing to go en fete to celebrate a gala unveiling ceremony of its statue to the Limerick actor whose family has a long association with the holiday resort, Limerick’s mayor, Joe Leddin has given an assurance that Limerick city is pulling out all the stops to publicly honour its illustrious star.

"There was unanimous enthusiasm from all the councillors for a statue of Richard Harris and all-round agreement that it should be erected in a prominent city centre location but progress was slowed down a bit when issues surrounding a relocation arose, but everything is now agreed on and the statue will be completed early in the spring and will be erected at the entrance to Bedford Row, just opposite the Bank of Ireland”, said the Mayor.

Mayor Leddin, who recently called a special meeting of the Cultural Strategic Policy Committee to copperfasten final details for the Richard Harris statue, said there is a general consensus that Bedford Row and its proximity to the site of the now demolished Savoy Cinema, is the most appropriate setting for the sculpture.

It will take pride of place in the newly pedestrianised Bedford Row.

"As mayor of the city, I’m looking forward with huge anticipation to performing the unveiling ceremony of the statue in the spring - it will be an honour for me and one of the most pleasurable functions of my mayoralty,” he said.