Hundreds of mourners, including prominent musicians and entertainers, filled the cathedral to capacity after queuing for hours outside on Wednesday following Hansard’s death in a motorcycle crash at age 56.
Celebrated Musicians and Actors Gather for Dublin Cathedral Funeral Service
A large crowd watched the proceedings on big screens outside the historic Dublin landmark as pallbearers carried a wicker coffin topped with flowers into the cathedral, according to Associated Press reports. The congregation included actors Steve Coogan and Chris O’Dowd alongside musicians Bono, Hozier, Declan O’Rourke, and Imelda May.
William Morton, the dean of the cathedral, stated during the service, “Glen’s remarkable gifts and outstanding talent, which touched so many hearts, took him from the streets of Dublin to audiences across the globe,” as reported by the Associated Press.
Musical Tributes and Personal Remembrances Mark the Service
The funeral featured musical performances interwoven with the liturgy. Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder took part by singing Hansard’s “The Song of Good Hope” alongside Hansard’s longstanding musical partner Markéta Irglová, according to the Associated Press.
U2 frontman Bono addressed the congregation, noting of Hansard, “Everyone who met him, they just remembered the day they met him,” as cited by the Associated Press. Bono then held up his phone to play a recorded message from singer and poet Patti Smith performing “a lullaby for Glen’s family and friends,” before reciting lyrics to U2’s “Beautiful Day.”
Did you know? Glen Hansard won an Academy Award in 2008 for the song “Falling Slowly” from the movie Once, in which he co-starred with Markéta Irglová. The film’s stage adaptation subsequently won eight Tony Awards in 2012.
Widow and Fellow Artists Share Tributes Following the Crash
Hansard died in a single-vehicle crash on the outskirts of Dublin on July 29, just hours after participating in a traditional music session at a pub, according to the Associated Press. His widow, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, thanked the police officers who came to his aid and read a poem she had written for him early in their relationship.
Saaritsa noted that the couple’s 3-year-old son was too young to attend or understand the funeral, but added that “the bright spirit he inherited from his father is with us,” according to the Associated Press. Bruce Springsteen also paid tribute on Instagram, stating he was “heartbroken” at the loss of “a great musician, a good friend and a generous and gracious man.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Glen Hansard pass away?
Glen Hansard died on July 29 in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on the outskirts of Dublin at the age of 56, according to Associated Press reports.
Where was Glen Hansard’s funeral held?
His funeral took place at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, drawing hundreds of mourners, family members, fans, and notable figures from the entertainment industry, as reported by the Associated Press.
What are some of Glen Hansard’s most notable works?
Hansard was the long-time frontman of the Irish rock band The Frames, half of the rock duo The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová, and an Oscar-winning songwriter for the film Once. He also led a well-known Christmas Eve busk outside Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre to aid homelessness charities.
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