There were deeply moving scenes in Dublin as hundreds gathered to honour Glen Hansard at a public wake on Monday, in a moment that has quickly become one of the most talked-about stories in entertainment news Ireland. Fans queued for hours outside the Irish Museum of Modern Art at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, coming together to pay tribute to the Oscar-winning musician after his sudden death earlier this week.
Hansard, best known for the song Falling Slowly and the film Once, died following a motorbike crash in Dublin in the early hours of Wednesday morning. News of his passing sent shockwaves through Irish entertainment news, with tributes pouring in from fellow artists, fans and cultural figures at home and abroad.
Public wake draws huge crowds in Dublin
The wake took place at the Baroque Chapel at IMMA, where mourners formed long lines stretching beyond the historic grounds and towards nearby streets close to Heuston Station. Many arrived carrying flowers, while others stood quietly in reflection as they waited to enter.
The turnout underlined Hansard’s lasting place in Irish pop culture and in the wider story of music news Ireland. For many, this was not simply a farewell to a performer, but to an artist whose work spoke to Dublin, heartbreak, resilience and community.
- Venue: Baroque Chapel, IMMA, Royal Hospital Kilmainham
- Attendance: Hundreds of fans and mourners
- Atmosphere: Quiet, emotional, respectful
- Public response: Strong turnout from across Dublin and beyond
Funeral details announced
Hansard’s funeral is set to take place at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin at 1.30pm on Tuesday. The service will be open to the public, although numbers inside the cathedral will be limited due to expected demand. A PA system will be installed outside, and the ceremony will also be made available online for those unable to attend in person.
A funeral notice confirmed that music will be performed by the singer’s friends and family, a fitting tribute for a figure whose life and legacy were so closely tied to song. In a message shared on his Instagram page, his loved ones said they were “overwhelmed with the outpouring of love” and thanked people for sharing their memories.
Tributes reflect a far-reaching legacy
Among the most poignant messages came from Marketa Irglova, Hansard’s longtime collaborator and co-writer of Falling Slowly, the Academy Award-winning song from Once. She expressed sympathy for his family and remembered him with words centred on love, light and protection.
Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their young son, Christy. The family has requested that, in place of flowers or gifts, donations be made to Simon Community and Ukrainian Action.
While this story sits firmly within celebrity news Ireland, it also reaches beyond the usual headlines. Hansard’s impact crossed film news Ireland, songwriting, live performance and the broader conversation around culture and entertainment Ireland. His passing has become a defining moment in latest entertainment news Ireland, not because of spectacle, but because of the emotional response from the public.
A final farewell that speaks volumes
The scenes at IMMA made clear how profoundly Glen Hansard was admired, not only as a musician but as a singular Irish voice. In entertainment news Ireland, few stories reveal the bond between artist and audience as powerfully as this one. As Dublin prepares for one final farewell, the takeaway is simple: Glen Hansard’s music may have fallen silent, but his legacy will continue to echo across Ireland for years to come.
