The latest entertainment news Ireland has been marked by deep sadness as thousands of mourners turned out in Dublin to honour Glen Hansard at a public wake filled with music, memory and emotion. In scenes that reflected his huge impact on Irish culture, fans, friends and fellow musicians lined up in their thousands to pay tribute to the much-loved songwriter ahead of his funeral.
Hansard, 56, died last week following a motorbike crash near the Strawberry Beds in Lucan, just hours after performing at a trad session. On Monday, an estimated 11,000 people gathered at the Baroque Chapel at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham, where his coffin was placed in a moving setting that spoke to both his artistry and his roots.
A powerful public tribute in Dublin
The public wake drew a striking cross-section of mourners, underlining why this story has become one of the most talked-about moments in Irish entertainment news and music news Ireland this week. Among those attending was Markéta Irglová, Hansard’s former partner and Once collaborator, alongside a host of well-known figures from the trad and wider music scene.
Also present were Paddy Clancy, Rónán Ó Snodaigh of Kíla, The Frames musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Victoria Mary Clarke and Phelim Drew. Their presence highlighted Hansard’s standing not just as an acclaimed performer, but as a central figure in Irish music news and the wider creative community.
Inside the chapel
The setting for the wake was intimate despite the scale of the turnout:
- Hansard’s wicker coffin rested beneath stained glass
- Greenery and apples were arranged as part of the tribute
- Two of his guitars were placed at the foot of the coffin
- Mourners left flowers, cards and handwritten notes
- Trad musicians performed live as people filed through
Many paused to place a hand on the coffin, creating quiet, personal moments in a day defined by collective grief.
Fans and friends remember a generous artist
For many in attendance, the day was not only about mourning a major talent but also remembering a man widely described as warm, curious and generous. That human dimension has resonated strongly across entertainment news Ireland, with tributes focusing as much on his kindness as on his music.
DJ Sinéad Ní Mhórdha described Hansard as possessing a “raw talent” that was “joyous and all-consuming and life-changing,” recalling years spent following his work with The Frames and beyond. Songwriter Barra Donovan shared a memory of meeting him in Dublin only weeks ago, saying Hansard was approachable, kind and genuinely interested in other artists’ work.
Another mourner, singer-songwriter Zoe Hayter, spoke movingly about meeting him as a child and how he opened the door to what she called a magical world of music. Her words captured the feeling shared by many that Hansard’s influence reached far beyond the stage.
Funeral details and lasting legacy
Hansard’s funeral is due to take place at 1:30pm on Tuesday at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. While the service will be open to the public, access inside is expected to be limited because of the large crowds anticipated.
He is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their young son, Christy. As tributes continue to flow in, his passing remains one of the most significant stories in entertainment updates Ireland, touching fans of Irish actors, musicians and the broader Irish pop culture scene alike.
In the end, the scale of the farewell said everything. For those following entertainment news Ireland, Glen Hansard’s wake was not simply a public event, but a profound reminder of how deeply one artist can shape a nation’s cultural life.
