Glen Hansard’s family have announced details of a public wake and funeral for the late Irish singer-songwriter.
Hansard, the Oscar-winning Once star also known as the frontman of The Frames and one half of The Swell Season, died following a motorcycle crash in Dublin on Wednesday (July 29). He was 56 years old.
His family have now confirmed that a public wake will take place at the Baroque Chapel at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, on Monday (August 3) between 11am and 4pm.
“Glen will lie in repose for those wishing to pay their respects,” they said in a statement shared yesterday (July 31).
His funeral will then be held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin at 1:30pm on Tuesday (August 4). The service will be open to the public, although the family warned that access inside the cathedral will be “extremely limited” due to the number of mourners expected.
“Music at the funeral will be provided by Glen’s friends and family,” the statement added.
A public address system will be set up outside the cathedral for those unable to enter, while the service will also be streamed live via RTÉ News and RIP.ie.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family have asked mourners to make donations to the Dublin Simon Community or Ukrainian Action. Hansard was a longstanding supporter of the former group, helping organise their annual Christmas Eve busking event in Dublin.
“The family kindly asks that the privacy of Glen’s family and friends be respected at this time,” the statement concluded.
Hansard started his career as a busker on the streets of Dublin before forming The Frames, who released six studio albums and topped the Irish charts with 2004’s ‘Burn The Maps’.
He later formed The Swell Season with Markéta Irglová, and the pair won the Oscar for Best Original Song in 2008 for ‘Falling Slowly’, which featured in John Carney’s acclaimed musical drama Once, in which Hansard and Irglová both starred.
Footage emerged this week of Hansard’s final live performance, which took place at The Wren’s Nest pub in Chapelizod just hours before his death. He also spoke recently on his powerful friendship with Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder.
Tributes have been shared by figures including Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Warren Ellis, Rachel Zegler and former Irish President Michael D. Higgins. Barack Obama also included Hansard on his annual summer playlist, while Billie Eilish and Finneas’ mother Maggie Baird said her children “would not be who they are” without his music.
