Dublin fell quiet in grief on Tuesday as leading names from music, film and broadcasting arrived to honour Glen Hansard at his funeral. In a moment that has dominated entertainment news Ireland, mourners packed St Patrick’s Cathedral while crowds gathered outside to pay tribute to the Oscar-winning singer-songwriter after his death in a motorbike crash last week.
The service began at 1.30pm at St Patrick’s Cathedral, with the public also invited to attend, though space inside was limited. Large screens were set up in nearby St Patrick’s Park, where Hansard’s music played as hundreds paused to remember one of Ireland’s most celebrated artists.
Celebrity mourners arrive for Glen Hansard’s funeral
Among the first well-known faces seen entering the cathedral was singer Imelda May, who appeared emotional as she made her way inside. She had already shared a heartfelt tribute following Hansard’s death, writing: Our darling Glen is gone. How can we navigate this without his light? How do we sail without our Captain?
Also among the early arrivals were broadcaster Ray D’Arcy and musician Jerry Fish. As the service approached, more familiar names from Irish entertainment news and the wider arts world joined the mourners.
- Angeline Ball
- Maria Doyle Kennedy
- Hozier
- John Sheahan
- Declan O’Rourke
- Rebecca Mack
- Jack Lukeman
- BP Fallon
- Paul Noonan
Hozier was among the most closely watched arrivals, with reports circulating that he could take part musically during the funeral Mass. John Sheahan of The Dubliners was also present, arriving in a wheelchair.
A public farewell marked by music and remembrance
The funeral followed an extraordinary public wake on Monday at the Baroque Chapel in the Irish Museum of Modern Art at Royal Hospital Kilmainham, where more than 11,000 fans came to pay their respects. That turnout underlined Hansard’s unique place in Irish celebrity news, not simply as a performer but as a cultural figure whose work resonated far beyond the stage.
Outside the cathedral on Tuesday, the atmosphere was solemn but deeply affectionate. Many members of the public stood quietly as songs associated with Hansard played across the park, turning the area into an open-air memorial.
High-profile names from music, film and public life
Later arrivals included Bono, Dermot Kennedy, Steve Coogan, Chris O’Dowd, Eddie Vedder, Paul McGuinness, Ruan Magan, Gerry Adams and Tom Dunne. The breadth of those attending reflected Hansard’s reach across music, cinema and public life, making this one of the most significant moments in celebrity news Ireland this week.
The family requested that, in place of flowers or gifts, donations be made to the Simon Community and Ukrainian Action Ireland, linking the day of mourning with causes of practical support and solidarity.
Why this moment resonates beyond the headlines
For readers following entertainment news Ireland, the scenes in Dublin were about far more than celebrity attendance. They spoke to the impact of an artist whose songwriting, activism and presence helped shape modern Irish culture. The size of the crowds, the emotion from fellow performers and the public nature of the farewell all pointed to a legacy that will endure.
As entertainment news Ireland continues to reflect on Glen Hansard’s life, Tuesday’s funeral will be remembered as a powerful final tribute: intimate for family and friends, but shared with a nation that felt it had lost one of its own.
