Key facts
- Event
- Funeral of Glen Hansard
- Date and time
- 4 August 2026, 1.30pm
- Location
- St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin
- Cause of death
- Road crash at Strawberry Beds, west Dublin, on 29 July
- Age at death
- 56
- Donations requested
- Simon Community and Ukrainian Action Ireland
Background
Glen Hansard, frontman of The Frames, died at the age of 56 in a road crash at the Strawberry Beds in west Dublin in the early hours of 29 July. His funeral is scheduled for this afternoon at St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin.
Hansard is survived by his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, his young son Christy, his sister and four brothers, and extended friends and family.
Current situation
The funeral will take place at 1.30pm and will be open to the public, although organisers said access inside the cathedral will be 'extremely limited' due to the numbers expected. Hansard's friends and family will provide the service's music.
The service can also be watched live online. Instead of flowers or gifts, the family have asked that donations be made to the Simon Community and Ukrainian Action Ireland.
On Monday, thousands attended a public wake held in the Baroque Chapel at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin. People of all ages and backgrounds queued outside to pay their respects to the musician.
| Event | Date | Location | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public wake | 3 August 2026 | Baroque Chapel, Irish Museum of Modern Art | Thousands attended |
| Funeral | 4 August 2026 | St Patrick's Cathedral | Public, but extremely limited inside |
Impacts
The funeral is expected to draw large crowds to St Patrick's Cathedral, potentially affecting access and movement around the area. Members of the public wishing to attend inside may face limited availability due to the expected numbers.
The family's request for donations to the Simon Community and Ukrainian Action Ireland may direct public support to these charities. The live stream allows those unable to attend in person to participate remotely.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If crowds exceed expectations, access to the cathedral may be further restricted, and some mourners may have to follow the service from outside or via the live stream. Organisers may provide updates on capacity as the service approaches.
The public wake on Monday drew thousands, suggesting that the funeral could also attract significant numbers. However, the exact turnout remains unclear, and the cathedral's capacity will determine how many can attend inside.
Donations to the named charities could increase in the coming days if the public responds to the family's request. The long-term impact on the charities will depend on the level of contributions received.
Source: thejournal.ie
