Fans following entertainment news Ireland have been given a poignant new update on Glen Hansard’s final creative work. The late Oscar-winning musician’s last major project has now been confirmed as a stage adaptation of Waking Ned Devine, with the production set to make its world premiere at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre in February 2027.
The announcement brings a bittersweet moment for followers of Irish entertainment news, arriving just months after Hansard’s death in a motorcycle crash in Dublin on July 29. His passing sent shockwaves through the music and arts world, and this newly revealed production now stands as a lasting part of his artistic legacy.
Glen Hansard’s final project adds a major moment to entertainment news Ireland
The new musical adaptation of Waking Ned Devine features music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, his former partner and longtime collaborator. It marks the first time the pair have worked together on a musical since Once, the acclaimed project that earned them an Academy Award for Best Original Song for Falling Slowly in 2008.
For audiences interested in film and TV Ireland, theatre, and wider culture and entertainment Ireland, the project carries particular emotional weight. Based on the beloved 1998 Irish film, the story follows a small village thrown into chaos and comedy after a local man wins the lottery, prompting the community to rally together when complications arise.
Markéta Irglová pays tribute
Irglová described continuing the work they began together as “both a privilege and a blessing,” underlining the emotional significance behind the production.
In her words, the musical is a story filled with “heart, humour and humanity,” making it a natural fit for the stage. Her comments will resonate strongly with readers of Irish celebrity news and music news Ireland, especially those who have followed the creative bond she shared with Hansard over the years.
What to know about the Belfast premiere
The production will open at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast in February 2027, with tickets due to go on sale at the end of September. The show will be directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, who said Hansard had been delighted that the musical’s journey would begin in Belfast.
Doyle also praised the strength of the score and said the team had worked hard to ensure the adaptation remained:
- Touching
- Theatrical
- Funny
- Faithful to the spirit of the original story
For readers tracking entertainment updates Ireland and key developments across the arts, this premiere is shaping up to be one of the most meaningful stage events on next year’s calendar.
Why this story matters
This isn’t just another headline in entertainment news Ireland. It is the unveiling of a final artistic statement from one of Ireland’s most respected singer-songwriters. Hansard’s career spanned music, film and live performance, and his influence reached far beyond the local industry into global audiences.
The choice of Waking Ned Devine also feels fitting. Warm, distinctly Irish, and rooted in community storytelling, it reflects the kind of emotional honesty that defined much of Hansard’s best work. It also gives this story a crossover appeal touching Irish film news, concert news Ireland, and the wider arts and entertainment Ireland space.
As entertainment news Ireland continues to follow the production’s development, the Belfast premiere will likely be watched closely by fans of Hansard, theatre lovers, and anyone invested in modern Irish culture. More than a posthumous release, this musical now looks set to become a moving celebration of his talent, collaboration and enduring voice.
For now, the clearest takeaway from entertainment news Ireland is this: Glen Hansard’s final project is not only going ahead, but may become one of the most heartfelt tributes to his legacy yet.
