The short version
- Over 11,000 attendees visited the public wake for Glen Hansard at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin.
- The musician died last week in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash, prompting widespread shock and tributes from global artists.
- A funeral service is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at St Patrick's Cathedral to conclude the mourning period.
More than 11,000 individuals have gathered in Dublin to pay their final respects to Glen Hansard, the acclaimed Irish singer and songwriter who died last week. The public wake was held at the Baroque Chapel within the Irish Museum of Modern Art on Monday, drawing long queues that wrapped around the venue as fans sought to honor his legacy ahead of Tuesday’s funeral.
Hansard’s death resulted from a single-vehicle motorcycle accident, an event that sent shockwaves through the international music community. His passing has elicited profound grief among peers and admirers alike, with prominent figures such as Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen offering public condolences. Springsteen described feeling heartbroken by the news, underscoring the deep impact Hansard had on his contemporaries.
Attendees at the wake shared personal memories of the artist’s career, which spanned more than three decades. Many recalled his early days busking on Dublin’s Grafton Street, where his unassuming nature and musical talent first captivated audiences. Some fans noted that his performances were integral to their formative years, with one attendee describing how attending concerts with The Frames defined her late teenage and early adult experiences.
Hansard achieved significant critical acclaim throughout his career, most notably winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2008 alongside Marketa Irglova for the film Once. He also released three albums as part of The Swell Season and received a Grammy nomination for his 2016 solo album Didn't He Ramble. His funeral will take place at St Patrick's Cathedral in central Dublin on Tuesday at 13:30 local time, marking the end of a public mourning period that highlighted his enduring influence on Irish culture.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗'It's just a loss to Ireland': Fans pay tribute to Glen Hansard at public wake
