Main PointsMourners queued at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to pay their respects to Glen Hansard at a public wake on MondayThe musician’s funeral is taking place at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin city centre from 1.30pm on TuesdayMore than 40,000 fans joined the livestream on YouTube to watchLeading the funeral, the Very Reverend Dr William Morton said it was being held “in thanksgiving for and in celebration” of the musician’s “life, talent, generosity and kindness”.Key Reads
Niamh Browne – 10 minutes ago
The Address
Reverend William Morton led the address, saying that “there are some people who are remembered not only for what they achieved but for the goodness they brought to the lives of others. Glen was one of those people”.
He emphasised Hansard’s “talent, generosity and kindness”.
“Glen leaves behind friendships that enriched us, acts of generosity that will never be forgotten, encouragement that gave others confidence and memories that time itself will never erase.”
Niamh Browne – 19 minutes ago
Marie Saaritsa speaks
Marie Saaritsa, wife of the late artist, opens her address by thanking the Gardaí and first repsonders who came to Glen’s aid in wake of the accident “and for the humanity they showed me in my most desperate hour”.
She also shared a poem she “penned for Glen in return for the songs he wrote for me”.
Her poem was followed by performance of The Song of Good Hope, which was led by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, Hansard’s Once co-star and former romantic partner Markéta Irglova, Thomas Barlett and his band The Frames.
Niamh Browne – 28 minutes ago
Glen Hansard’s brother Richard speaks
Richard Hansard, Glen Hansard’s younger brother describes the musician as “more than an older brother, he was a father figure”.
“He had a way of making you feel you mattered,” said Richard.
“He made me feel like the world was a far more magical place than it seemed at the time to a young shy boy from north Dublin.”
“I know he made ripples, I know he made waves. He has an impact on so many- look at this room. But those ripples and waves began at kitchen tables in Ballymun and Killester, and it is at those kitchen tables that for us he will remain,” he said, to a congregation that stood and clapped when Richard Hansard finished his words.
Niamh Browne – 40 minutes ago
After a moving rendition of Port na Pucaí, performed by Colm Mac Con Iomaire alongside uilleann piper Séamus Ong and Liam Ó Maonlaí of the Hothouse Flowers on kays, Breandáin Ó Beaglaoich paid tribute.
The performance was followed by a poem by Breandáin Ó Beaglaoich who described the late star as “an ordinary Ballymun man” and a “one off person who the likes of which we won’t meet again,” before saying farewell to “A dhuine áláinn aoibhinn”.
Niamh Browne – 52 minutes ago
The funeral service began with Críost Liom, sung by Peadar Ó Riada and Cór Chúil Aodha, the west Cork Gaeltacht male choir.
The Very Reverend Dr William Morton led the funeral, welcoming the congregation. He said that Hansard’s wife and family appreciated huge out pouring of support for the funeral. Morton added that the service was being held “in thanksgiving for and in celebration” of the musician’s “life, talent, generosity and kindness”.
Among the gifts brought to the altar were an acoustic guitar as well as a photograph of his wife Maire, and his son Christy.
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
The funeral begins
More than 40,000 fans joined in the livestream on Youtube as the fire safety precautions were explained to the attendees, as well as a request made to mourners not to take pictures or film during the service.
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
Glen Hansard’s body arrives
The funeral cortege arrived shortly before 1:30 with the horse-drawn hearse leading the procession followed by Hansard’s wicker coffin being carried shoulder high, writes Conor Pope.
Glen Hansard funeral cortège. Photo: Conor Pope
The funeral booklet describes the occasion as “A Celebration of the Life of Glen Hansard (21st April 1970 – 29th July 2026)”.
Glen Hansard funeral booklet
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
More musicians arrive:
Fifteen minutes ahead of the funeral, Bono and the Edge have joined the slew of musicians attending the service.
Imelda May, who had a 35-year-friendship with Hansard and was a long-time collaborator, also entered the cathedral.
Imelda May (right) pictured arriving for the funeral of Glen Hansard at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin City Centre this afternoon. Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family have asked that donations be made to the Simon Community and Ukrainian Action Ireland. A lifelong activist, Hansard held a beloved Christmas Eve busk for the Simon Community annually.
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
Comedians and actors also arrived to pay their respects; among them are Roscommon native Chris O’Dowd and Alan Patridge star Steve Coogan.
John Carney, the director of Once, was seen talking to Coogan while singer Dermot Kennedy and O’Dowd headed quickly into the church after arriving on foot.
Steven Coogan attended Glen Hansard’s funeral. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
It is not just Irish artists that have travelled to pay their respects at but international stars too, including Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam.
Conor Pope described the scene, saying that “every now and then a fleet of SUVs arrives to a soundtrack of camera clicks”.
Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago
The funeral set-up is very elaborate and split between the public, the VIPs, and family and friends, writes Conor Pope.
The former U2 manager Paul McGuinness, artist Guggi and Hozier have all been seen entering the church as have former Commitments bandmates Andrew Strong and Angeline Ball. John Sheehan from the Dubliners also arrived, as well as Tom Dunne from Something Happens and activist Dean Scurry.
There wasn’t even standing room in the church a full 90 minutes before the service was set to start.
Paul McGuinness arriving for the funeral of Glen Hansard at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Photograph: Damien Eagers/PA Wire
Niamh Browne – 2 hours ago
Fans gather in St Patrick’s Park
An hour ahead of the funeral service, fans, buskers and mourners gathered outside St Patrick’s Cathedral.
Queues have already begun to form, musicians played live in the adjacent park and some mourners have secured spots in front of the large screen that will broadcast the funeral from inside the church.
Watch: Conor Pope’s video of fans gathered in at Patrick’s Cathedral ahead of service
Fans gather outside St Patrick’s Cathedral an hour ahead of service
Niamh Browne – 2 hours ago
Tributes to Glen Hansard
Since the musician’s death last week, tributes have poured out from politicians, public figures and musicians both internationally and here in Ireland.
Among them, was Bruce Springsteen, who shared a statement describing Hansard as “a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man”.
Closer to home, at Waterford music festival All Together Now, Kildare musician Christy Moore dedicated a performance of The Auld Triangle to the Ballymun star, remembering him as a dear friend and collaborator.
In the political sphere, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened” by the death of Hansard, who he said was “a talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years”.
On the streets of Dublin, members of the public and buskers turned out in their droves to honour Hansard, who himself was a lifelong busker.
Watch: Dublin buskers pay tribute to Glen Hansard
Dublin’s buskers turned out to pay tribute to Glen Hansard who died in motorbike crash in Dublin last week. Video: Enda O’Dowd
Niamh Browne – 2 hours ago
Glen Hansard funeral:
Glen Hansard’s funeral is taking place today at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin at 1.30pm.
The Oscar winner and Frames frontman died in the early hours of July 29th.
The 56-year-old died following a motorcycle crash at the Strawberry Beds, Lucan, before 4.30am.
According to a brief Garda statement, which did not name Glen Hansard, the incident took place on a stretch of Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill and Rugged Lane.
“The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later,” the Garda said.
The funeral is open to the public; however, access inside the cathedral is extremely limited given the huge numbers paying tribute to the musician.