Remembering Glen Hansard: A Tribute to an Iconic Musician and Activist
Hundreds of individuals are gathering at Dublin's Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham to honor the late Glen Hansard, an Oscar-winning musician. The wake is being held at the Baroque Chapel at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham from 11am to 4pm on Monday. People started lining up early in the morning, forming queues that extended from the 17th-century hospital building onto Irwin Street and down Military Road near Heuston Station. Hansard's funeral is scheduled to take place at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin on Tuesday at 1.30pm, and it will be open to the public. A PA system will be set up outside the cathedral, and the service will be available for online viewing.
A funeral notice mentioned that music will be performed by Hansard's friends and family. In a message on his Instagram page, gratitude was expressed for the overwhelming love and support received. Instead of flowers or gifts, the family has requested donations to be made to Simon Community & Ukrainian Action. Hansard, aged 56 and hailing from Ballymun in Dublin, was the frontman of The Frames and appeared in the film The Commitments. He tragically passed away in a motorbike accident shortly after participating in a trad session at a local pub. He is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, and their three-year-old son Christy. Numerous high-profile figures, including former US president Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen, and Billie Eilish, have paid tribute to Hansard following his untimely death.
Irish musicians such as Bono, Bob Geldof, and Hozier also honored Hansard's memory. Buskers gathered in Dublin city to commemorate Hansard's beginnings in the music industry. Marketa Irglova, a Czech musician who co-wrote the Oscar-winning song Falling Slowly with Hansard, expressed her condolences on Friday. The track was featured in the 2007 movie Once, in which both artists starred. Hansard and Irglova met when she was 13 and he was 31, and they went on to release three albums together. Irglova extended her sympathies to Hansard's family, acknowledging the tragic loss and offering her prayers and support.
In addition to his musical achievements, Hansard was recognized for his activism, particularly his advocacy for the homeless. He initiated an annual Christmas Eve charity busk outside the Gaiety Theatre 16 years ago, attracting the public to witness renowned Irish musicians perform in support of the homeless. Hansard also participated in various protests, including those against Ireland's housing crisis and the anti-austerity water charge protests in 2014. His commitment to social causes and his musical legacy have left a lasting impact on many.