2023
Jared Harris visits UCC to meet students
- One of the most sought-after actors of his generation, Jared Harris shared insights into his career with UCC students.
- Jared viewed the archives of his late father, Richard Harris, which were donated to UCC last year.
- The archives are an extensive collection of manuscripts, photographs, professional and personal documents which belonged to the late actor.
Actor Jared Harris visited University College Cork (UCC) today to meet film students and view the archives of his late father, Richard Harris, which were donated to the university last year.
Jared, who is visiting UCC and Cork with his wife Allegra, starred in number of roles in film and television including Mad Men and Chernobyl. While at UCC Jared and Allegra met with staff in UCC Library, hosted a Q&A with students in the Department of Film and Screen Media and was interviewed by students at UCC’s 93.8FM radio station.
Arriving in UCC, Jared said: “A country’s identity is shaped by and seen through its artists, filmmakers, actors and poets. We are proud to bring my father’s archives to his native Ireland, to an exciting and ambitious film school, where we hope they will inspire UCC’s students of film, music and theatre, future stars at home and abroad.”
“It is wonderful that we have an actor of the calibre of Jared’s to meet our film students” commented Dr Barry Monahan, Lecturer in UCC's Department of Film & Screen Media in the School of Film, Music & Theatre. “Jared was always keen to ensure he met with future actors and film makers and it is wonderful opportunity for our students to learn about the industry.”
In October last year, UCC and the Richard Harris Estate announced that the archives of Richard Harris have been donated to UCC. Richard Harris was one of the most iconic film actors of the late twentieth century. Nominated for two Academy Awards for This Sporting Life (1963) and The Field (1990), his other leading roles included the parts of King Arthur in Camelot (1967) and Marcus Aurelius in Gladiator (2000).
“Bringing the archive to Ireland is hugely important and we are delighted that we have been intrusted with its future curation and preservation. The breadth of material is wonderful, and it will provide a fantastic resource for our researchers, students and the wider community,” stated Coral Black, UCC University Librarian.
The Richard Harris Archives span over 50 years and are an extensive collection of manuscripts, letters, photographs, literary works, artefacts and professional and personal documents which belonged to the late actor. The Richard Harris Archives gives a unique insight into one of Ireland’s legendary actors who starred in some of the most celebrated pieces of cinema of the last half century, who won or was nominated for the most prestigious awards in film and theatre.
Among the archives are Richard’s personal creative writing manuscripts including poetry, publicity and location photos from his screen and stage performances including Camelot, The Field, Pirandello’s Henry IV and as Professor Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films. In addition, the archive includes private memos, items from film sets, Young Munster rugby plaques and pictures as well as letters and wire communications from family and friends, arts critics, and co-performers.
University College Cork’s acquisition of these archives marks a new stage in the development of contemporary cultural collections at the university. UCC has plans to develop a UCC Treasures Gallery which will be a fully secure and serviced space which will provide for public display and interpretation of a variety of artefacts.