Ireland bids farewell to Glen Hansard accompanied by musical performances from Bono and a poem by Patti Smith

Ireland bid farewell to Glen Hansard this Tuesday. Hundreds of people gathered at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin to pay tribute to the Irish musician, who passed away on July 29 at the age of 56, following a motorcycle accident. The funeral featured musical performances by friends, family, and representatives from the cultural world such as Hozier, Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Bono (U2), and actor Steve Coogan. Meanwhile, a crowd also followed the ceremony on giant screens installed in the cathedral gardens and it was broadcast live on local and international media.

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The interior of one of the capital’s most emblematic temples hosted this “celebration of life, talent, generosity, and kindness” of Hansard, as described by the reverend at the beginning of the religious service. From early Tuesday, the surroundings of St. Patrick’s began to fill with followers, curious onlookers, and street musicians who played Hansard’s songs during the morning. Hansard was an Oscar winner for Best Original Song in 2008 for Falling Slowly, composed with Markéta Irglová for the film Once — starring both of them. During the ceremony, the composer performed The Song of Good Hope alongside Pearl Jam’s vocalist, Eddie Vedder.

Among other gestures, colleagues in the profession provided music for the service: friends recited poems and close ones placed an acoustic guitar and a photograph of his son Christy and his wife, the Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, next to Hansard’s wicker coffin. Hansard’s widow began by thanking each of the gardaí (Irish police officers) who came to the singer’s aid after the motorcycle accident: “Thank you for the humanity you showed me in my most desperate moment. I cannot find words to describe the support that has been given to the family during this past week,” Saaritsa said. “The word hides somewhere in people’s gaze and in the depth of their good deeds.”

From the pulpit, his brother Richard recalled that Glen once told him, “when you lose someone, you don’t really lose them, but inherit the best parts of that person.” “And we have done that,” he celebrated. “We have inherited all the magical and colorful words, the hugs, the conversations, the madness, the sadness, and that manic and illuminating beauty that a brother, a husband, and a father can offer.” Then, Gary Hansard, another brother, expressed his sincerest thanks to the attendees on behalf of the family before performing I Can See God with The Frames, the acclaimed rock band that Glen led for a long time.

Another of the most emotional moments was led by the U2 frontman. During his speech at the funeral, Bono revealed that American singer Patti Smith had left him a voice message after learning of his friend Hansard’s death. The vocalist explained it was a “lullaby” for the grieving family. “I think I’m going to try to play it,” he said.

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Then, Bono brought his phone close to the microphone and Smith’s message was heard: “It was a very beautiful day, a very beautiful day / Through the valley, it came to me / With a book in hand and a melody / And the sun shone brightly.” He continued: “It was a very beautiful day, a very beautiful day / Through the valley, it came to play / The leaves of the trees began to turn / And I heard the wind sing.” After the song, Bono recited the lyrics of U2’s classic Beautiful Day as a poem, and at one point turned to his bandmate, guitarist The Edge, to join him.

The farewell culminated with a joint performance involving all the musicians who had participated throughout the service. United in a final tribute, they performed Forever Young by Bob Dylan, a key figure in Hansard’s life, whom he deeply admired and with whom he even shared the stage during a tour. The congregation then joined in a resonant chorus that made the cathedral vibrate. At the same time, Hansard’s wicker coffin, covered with foliage and greenery, was carried out of the temple amid prolonged standing ovations, as family, friends, and admirers paid their last respects.

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