Bono pays tribute to Glen Hansard at Dublin funeral
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Bono paid tribute to fellow Dublin musician Glen Hansard at his funeral on Tuesday, delivering a reworked spoken-word rendition of U2's "Beautiful Day" and playing mourners a voicemail from Patti Smith. The tribute underlined the deep affection held for Hansard across the Irish and wider music community, with Bono praising his rare gift for making everyone he met feel like a close friend.
Speaking at the Dublin service, Bono recalled how "people on the green outside" and "people tuning in" all felt like Hansard's "best friends," before reciting his adapted "Beautiful Day" lyrics, joined towards the end by U2 bandmate The Edge. He also played a voicemail Smith had sent him on the day of Hansard's death, describing it as "a lullaby for Glen's family and friends" that she was happy to share.
- Bono honoured Glen Hansard at his Dublin funeral on Tuesday
- Performed a reworked spoken-word version of "Beautiful Day"
- Played mourners a voicemail lullaby recorded by Patti Smith
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Bono, one of Ireland's best-known musicians as U2's frontman, spoke at the funeral of Glen Hansard, a fellow Dublin musician celebrated for his work with The Frames and The Swell Season, and for his Oscar-winning song "Falling Slowly" from the film Once. The two are part of a close-knit Dublin music scene that has produced several internationally recognised acts.
Hansard was widely regarded, both in Ireland and internationally, for his warmth and his knack for making people feel genuinely valued, qualities that were reflected in the tributes paid at his funeral by fellow musicians. His death has prompted an outpouring of remembrance from across the music world, including from figures such as the singer and poet Patti Smith.
The funeral itself, held in Dublin, brought together musicians and mourners to honour Hansard's life and legacy, illustrating the depth of his connections within both the Irish music community and further afield.
More coverage
- Far Out — Bono shares lullaby from Patti Smith in tribute to Glen Hansard at funeral
- Daily Mail — The Commitments star Angeline Ball, Bono and Steve Coogan lead arrivals for the funeral of Glen Hansard in Dublin after musician died in motorbike crash
- BBC Entertainment — Bono, Eddie Vedder and Hozier among mourners at Glen Hansard's funeral
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Originally published by Consequence as “Bono Honors Glen Hansard at Funeral with “Beautiful Day” Tribute, Patti Smith Lullaby”.