A public wake is to take place in Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday in honour of the late Glen Hansard, ahead of his funeral next Tuesday.
The singer/songwriter died tragically after being involved in a motorcycle accident in the early hours of Wednesday morning last, following a trad session at the Wren's Nest pub. He was 56 years old. More on this here.
It has been confirmed that a public wake will take place in honour of Hansard at the Baroque Chapel at IMMA, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, on Monday 3 August, between 11am and 4pm. The singer will lie in repose for those keen to pay their respects.
His funeral, which is also open to the public, will take place at Dublin City's St Patrick's Cathedral, a day later at 1.30pm, where music will be provided by Hansard's friends and family.
The funeral will also be broadcasted live on RTÉ television.
Following his death, tributes were paid to the late Glen Hansard, including Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who said that he was “A talented musician and actor who made a significant contribution to Ireland’s cultural landscape over many years".
Elsewhere, singer Ed Sheeran called Hansard "an incredible human, an incredible force", adding that he was "heartbroken" to hear the tragic news regarding his death.
"He was such an incredible human, an incredible force," he wrote on his Instagram stories. "I am grateful for the times we shared together, sending so much love to his family x".
Shane MacGowan's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke hailed Hansard as: "The most loving man, the most thoughtful man, the most compassionate and generous man. Somebody who cared about people on an epic level, like more than anyone I had ever met".
Glen Hansard had performed Fairytale of New York in honour of Shane MacGowan at his funeral in 2023.
In other news, Markéta Irglová who starred alongside Hansard in the film, Once, paid tribute to her former co star.
"My deepest condolences to Glen's family, his brothers and his beautiful wife and son, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry for your tragic loss, my heart goes out to you. May his love always surround you, his spirit guide and protect you, and may his light shine on throughout your days", she wrote on her Instagram stories.
Having started out by busking on Grafton Street, Glen Hansard became one of Ireland's most celebrated performers, culminating in him garnering an Oscar for co writing Falling Slowly, which featured in the Irish drama, Once in 2007.
In honour of Hansard, a group of musicians gathered around Dublin City centre to perform a special busking session. This took place near the Gaiety Theatre, a place where Hansard would hold his annual Christmas Eve charity busk. More on this story here.
