Dublin fell quiet, then rose in song, as thousands gathered to honour Glen Hansard in an emotional farewell that became one of the most moving moments in entertainment news Ireland this week. Inside and outside St Patrick’s Cathedral, family, friends, fellow musicians and fans came together to celebrate a performer whose voice, songwriting and street-born spirit left a lasting mark on Irish music and beyond.
The singer-songwriter, best known for Falling Slowly, died last Wednesday following a motorcycle accident. He was 56. After a public wake at BIMM that drew members of the public and the wider music world, his funeral took place on Monday afternoon at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin 8, with huge crowds lining the streets long before the service began.
A Farewell Filled With Music, Memory and Love
The ceremony reflected the depth of Hansard’s influence on Irish pop culture and the entertainment industry Ireland has long celebrated. His wicker coffin, covered in foliage, was carried into the cathedral by family members as applause broke out among mourners gathered outside.
Among those who paid tribute were his brothers Gary and Richard, his wife Maire, longtime collaborator Markéta Irglová and members of The Frames. Their words painted a portrait of a man remembered not only for his talent, but for his warmth, humour and ability to make people feel seen.
Richard Hansard delivered one of the day’s most heartfelt reflections, recalling his brother’s rare gift for bringing magic into ordinary life. Maire Hansard also spoke movingly, thanking emergency responders for their help after the accident and sharing a personal poem written for her husband early in their relationship.
Powerful Performances Mark a Historic Goodbye
Music was central to the service, as expected for a figure whose life was so deeply rooted in performance. In a moment likely to resonate across Irish entertainment news and music news Ireland alike, Markéta Irglová joined Eddie Vedder, Thomas Bartlett and The Frames to perform The Song of Good Hope.
Other memorable moments included:
- Gary Hansard thanking the public for the “huge amount of love, and honour, and dignity” shown to his brother
- Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Séamus Ong and Liam Ó Maonlaí performing the traditional Port na bPúcaí
- Damien Dempsey joining The Frames for Sing All Our Cares Away
- Bono sharing a message from Patti Smith before performing an a cappella rendition of A Beautiful Day with The Edge
Objects linked to Hansard’s life were also brought to the altar, including his famous guitar, instantly recognisable for the extra hole worn into it after years of relentless strumming on Grafton Street. It served as a striking symbol of the busker-turned-global artist whose journey inspired fans across generations.
Dublin’s Final Applause
As the service came to a close, Bob Dylan’s Forever Young was performed while Hansard’s coffin was carried from the cathedral. Mourners inside stood in applause, while crowds outside joined in the emotion of the moment. The scene captured the scale of the loss felt not just in celebrity news Ireland or Irish celebrity news circles, but across the country’s cultural life.
Notable attendees included Imelda May, Bono, Steve Coogan, Chris O’Dowd, John Sheahan, Jerry Fish and BP Fallon, underlining Hansard’s reach across music, film and TV Ireland, and global entertainment news.
His body was then taken onward for a private ceremony at Mount Jerome, with rolling road closures in place as the procession moved through the city.
In entertainment news Ireland, some stories pass quickly. This one will not. Glen Hansard’s farewell was more than a funeral — it was Dublin’s final standing ovation for an artist who gave the city, and the world, songs that will endure.
