{"id":582959,"date":"2026-08-04T13:42:15","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:42:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/582959\/"},"modified":"2026-08-04T13:42:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T13:42:15","slug":"watch-live-glen-hansards-life-talent-generosity-and-kindness-remembered-at-funeral-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/582959\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch live: Glen Hansard\u2019s \u2018life, talent, generosity and kindness\u2019 remembered at funeral \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main PointsMourners queued at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to pay their respects to Glen Hansard at a public wake<\/a> on MondayThe musician\u2019s funeral is taking place at St Patrick\u2019s 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 \u201cin thanksgiving for and in celebration\u201d of the musician\u2019s \u201clife, talent, generosity and kindness\u201d.Key Reads<\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 10 minutes ago<\/p>\n

The Address<\/p>\n

Reverend William Morton led the address, saying that \u201cthere 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\u201d. <\/p>\n

He emphasised Hansard\u2019s \u201ctalent, generosity and kindness\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cGlen 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 19 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Marie Saaritsa speaks <\/p>\n

Marie Saaritsa, wife of the late artist, opens her address by thanking the Garda\u00ed and first repsonders who came to Glen\u2019s aid in wake of the accident \u201cand for the humanity they showed me in my most desperate hour\u201d. <\/p>\n

She also shared a poem she \u201cpenned for Glen in return for the songs he wrote for me\u201d.<\/p>\n

Her poem was followed by performance of The Song of Good Hope, which was led by Pearl Jam\u2019s Eddie Vedder, Hansard\u2019s Once co-star and former romantic partner Mark\u00e9ta Irglova, Thomas Barlett and his band The Frames. <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 28 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Glen Hansard\u2019s brother Richard speaks<\/p>\n

Richard Hansard, Glen Hansard\u2019s younger brother describes the musician as \u201cmore than an older brother, he was a father figure\u201d. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a way of making you feel you mattered,\u201d said Richard. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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,\u201d he said, to a congregation that stood and clapped when Richard Hansard finished his words. <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 40 minutes ago<\/p>\n

After a moving rendition of Port na Puca\u00ed, performed by Colm Mac Con Iomaire alongside uilleann piper S\u00e9amus Ong and Liam \u00d3 Maonla\u00ed of the Hothouse Flowers on kays, Breand\u00e1in \u00d3 Beaglaoich paid tribute. <\/p>\n

The performance was followed by a poem by Breand\u00e1in \u00d3 Beaglaoich who described the late star as \u201can ordinary Ballymun man\u201d and a \u201cone off person who the likes of which we won\u2019t meet again,\u201d before saying farewell to \u201cA dhuine \u00e1l\u00e1inn aoibhinn\u201d. <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 52 minutes ago<\/p>\n

The funeral service began with Cr\u00edost Liom, sung by Peadar \u00d3 Riada and C\u00f3r Ch\u00fail Aodha, the west Cork Gaeltacht male choir.<\/p>\n

The Very Reverend Dr William Morton led the funeral, welcoming the congregation. He said that Hansard\u2019s wife and family appreciated huge out pouring of support for the funeral. Morton added that the service was being held \u201cin thanksgiving for and in celebration\u201d of the musician\u2019s \u201clife, talent, generosity and kindness\u201d. <\/p>\n

Among the gifts brought to the altar were an acoustic guitar as well as a photograph of his wife Maire, and his son Christy. <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

The funeral begins<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

Glen Hansard\u2019s body arrives<\/p>\n

The funeral cortege arrived shortly before 1:30 with the horse-drawn hearse leading the procession followed by Hansard\u2019s wicker coffin being carried shoulder high, writes Conor Pope.<\/p>\n

\"GlenGlen Hansard funeral cort\u00e8ge. Photo: Conor Pope <\/p>\n

The funeral booklet describes the occasion as \u201cA Celebration of the Life of Glen Hansard (21st April 1970 – 29th July 2026)\u201d. <\/p>\n

\" Glen Hansard funeral booklet <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

More musicians arrive:<\/p>\n

Fifteen minutes ahead of the funeral, Bono and the Edge have joined the slew of musicians attending the service. <\/p>\n

Imelda May, who had a 35-year-friendship with Hansard and was a long-time collaborator, also entered the cathedral. <\/p>\n

\"ImeldaImelda 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<\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

Comedians and actors also arrived to pay their respects; among them are Roscommon native Chris O\u2019Dowd and Alan Patridge star Steve Coogan. <\/p>\n

John Carney, the director of Once, was seen talking to Coogan while singer Dermot Kennedy and O\u2019Dowd headed quickly into the church after arriving on foot.<\/p>\n

\"StevenSteven Coogan attended Glen Hansard’s funeral. Photograph: Enda O’Dowd <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

It is not just Irish artists that have travelled to pay their respects at but international stars too, including Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam. <\/p>\n

Conor Pope described the scene, saying that \u201cevery now and then a fleet of SUVs arrives to a soundtrack of camera clicks\u201d.<\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n

The funeral set-up is very elaborate and split between the public, the VIPs, and family and friends, writes Conor Pope. <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t even standing room in the church a full 90 minutes before the service was set to start.<\/p>\n

\"PaulPaul McGuinness arriving for the funeral of Glen Hansard at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin. Photograph: Damien Eagers\/PA Wire <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Fans gather in St Patrick\u2019s Park <\/p>\n

An hour ahead of the funeral service, fans, buskers and mourners gathered outside St Patrick\u2019s Cathedral. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Watch: Conor Pope\u2019s video of fans gathered in at Patrick\u2019s Cathedral ahead of service<\/p>\n

Fans gather outside St Patrick’s Cathedral an hour ahead of service <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Tributes to Glen Hansard<\/p>\n

Since the musician\u2019s death last week, tributes have poured out from politicians, public figures and musicians both internationally and here in Ireland. <\/p>\n

Among them, was Bruce Springsteen<\/a>, who shared a statement describing Hansard as \u201ca great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man\u201d. <\/p>\n

Closer to home, at Waterford music festival All Together Now, Kildare musician Christy Moore dedicated a performance of The Auld Triangle<\/a> to the Ballymun star, remembering him as a dear friend and collaborator. <\/p>\n

In the political sphere, Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin said he was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d by the death of Hansard, who he said was \u201ca talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland\u2019s cultural landscape over many years\u201d.<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Watch: Dublin buskers pay tribute to Glen Hansard<\/p>\n

Dublin’s buskers turned out to pay tribute to Glen Hansard who died in motorbike crash in Dublin last week. Video: Enda O’Dowd <\/p>\n

Niamh Browne – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Glen Hansard funeral: <\/p>\n

Glen Hansard\u2019s funeral is taking place today at St Patrick\u2019s Cathedral in Dublin at 1.30pm. <\/p>\n

The Oscar winner and Frames frontman died in the early hours of July 29th. <\/p>\n

The 56-year-old died following a motorcycle crash<\/a> at the Strawberry Beds, Lucan, before 4.30am.<\/p>\n

According to a brief Garda<\/a> statement, which did not name Glen Hansard, the incident took place on a stretch of Lower Road, between Tinkers Hill and Rugged Lane.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, was treated at the scene but was pronounced deceased a short time later,\u201d the Garda said.<\/p>\n

The funeral is open to the public; however, access inside the cathedral is extremely limited given the huge numbers paying tribute to the musician.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Main PointsMourners queued at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham to pay their respects to Glen Hansard at a public…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":582960,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[109247,42,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":["post-582959","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-glen-hansard","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/582959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=582959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/582959\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/582960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=582959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=582959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=582959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}