The New Zealand-born movie star travelled to the seaside town of Kilkee to pay tribute to Harris, who regularly visited the west Clare resort. Crowe and Harris became good friends when they worked together on the set of Gladiator in 1999. Harris died three years later.

Crowe arrived at Shannon airport on Friday and is believed to be staying at the exclusive Doonbeg golf club. The star had written a song in memory of Harris, which he performed at the ceremony yesterday.

Thousands of people gathered in the town for the event, during which a statue of Harris was unveiled. The statue depicts Harris playing racquetball, in memory of the Limerick man winning a racquet ball competition four times in a row at the resort. It was officially unveiled by Harris's three sons.

The sculpture, created by Seamus Connolly, was to have been erected in Wellington Square, but will now be placed temporarily on private property on Kilkee's Cliff Walk.