The Irish Times 9/26/06 -- The west Clare seaside resort of Kilkee has secured a massive coup by persuading Oscar- winning actor Russell Crowe to participate in the unveiling of a statue dedicated to the late Richard Harris.

The Hollywood star is to take a break from filming in New York to be in Kilkee next Saturday for the unveiling of the statue.

Event organiser Manuel di Lucia has confirmed that Crowe is to attend and sing a song at the ceremony that he penned in memory to Harris.

The two actors became good friends on the set of Gladiator in 1999. Harris died three years later.

The statue is to depict Harris playing racquet-ball in memory of the Limerick actor winning a racquet-ball competition four times in a row in the west Clare resort where he used to spend much of his summer holidays.

Mr di Lucia said: "I have had a couple of long conversations with Russell and he is really looking forward to coming over."

Crowe - who won best actor for his performance in Gladiator and was nominated best actor for two other films - is quoted on celebrity website www.murphsplace.com stating: "I will be in Kilkee, Ireland, to unveil a statue of Richard Harris on September 30th.

"We no doubt will find a place in the town to sing a few songs."

According to Mr di Lucia, the New Zealand-born actor who now lives in Australia is to arrive with an entourage of 15.

Asked how he was able to persuade Crowe to participate in the ceremony, Mr di Lucia said it was arranged through a diving friend's son who is living in California and is good friends with the actor.

Mr di Lucia said that the statue will be officially unveiled by Harris's three sons who are to attend the ceremony.

The estimated cost of the statue is €42,000 and Harris's three sons have contributed €21,000 towards the cost.

The statue by Séamus Connolly was to be erected in the Wellington Square area of the town, however, Mr di Lucia said that the statue will now be erected on private property on a temporary basis on Kilkee's Cliff Walk over the well-known Pollock Holes.

© The Irish Times