"Very moving, friendly and full of love" was how Ms Elizabeth Harris, first wife of actor Richard Harris, described the memorial Mass held in Limerick on Saturday for her late husband who died in London last month.
The moving ceremony, a celebration of the actor's life in prayer, singing and verbal tribute, was held in the 135-year old Jesuit church on the Crescent, where he worshipped in his youth beside the school where he was educated and where learned his rugby, was filled to capacity.
Some 100 seats at the front were sectioned off for relatives and invited guests. With Elizabeth, who remained a close friend after their divorce, were their son Jared, Richard's three brothers Noel, Ivan and Billy, and his grand-daughter Ella.
She had insisted that her grandfather should take the role of the Wizard Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films, the second of which was his final success.
The Mayor of Limerick, Cllr John Cronin, and members of Limerick City Council were among the special guests. Rugby friends and colleagues were represented by Mick Galwey, the Munster rugby captain.
In a eulogy, his friend, film producer Noel Pearson, said: "Richard Harris had an amazing life as an actor, spread over 50 years during which he made an amazing 80 films. His generosity and good humour was exceptional."
Former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds said: "He was an outstanding Irishman and actor who was very charitable and who also wrote some lovely poetry."
Mr Ivan Harris, his brother, who lives with his family in Limerick, said the family held the memorial because Dickie - as he was known in Limerick - loved his native city "where he was always very comfortable, particularly in the later years".
Father Tom Burns, a Redemptorist priest, was the principal concelebrant of the Mass.