In a tragically full-circle moment, less than three years after performing alongside Glen Hansard at Shane MacGowan’s funeral, Lisa O’Neill paid tribute to Hansard at his own service with a moving rendition of “Old Note.”
Lisa O’Neill performed the song at Hansard’s funeral at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin on Tuesday, August 4th. Joined by Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Joseph Doyle, and Michael Buckley, she delivered an ethereal and deeply affecting rendition of the track, which originally appeared on her album, All of This Is Chance. Before beginning, O’Neill shared the song’s backstory, recalling how Hansard gave her the keys to an apartment in Dublin with soaring ceilings, where she went on to write All of This Is Chance. His advice, she said, was: “Let your imagination grow in this big space and write songs.”
Funeral Service
Hansard arrived at the cathedral in a horse-drawn hearse, with his wicker coffin carried shoulder-high into the church by family members. The coffin was topped with flowers and photographs of Hansard with his wife, Finnish poet Maire Saaritsa, their three-year-old son Christy, and his late mother, Catherine.
During the service, Saaritsa thanked the Gardaí and first responders who came to Hansard’s aid following his motorcycle accident. She then read an early poem she had written for her husband, beginning and ending with the words, “Come to me with beauty. I require it to stay alive.”
Traditional Irish Music
Traditional Irish music was woven throughout the ceremony. The service opened with the Irish-language hymn including “Críost Liom,” “Port na bPúcaí” — which means music of the ghosts — and “The Auld Triangle.” The latter, which Hansard frequently performed, was played as mourners left the cathedral in a communal fashion.
During O’Neill’s performance with Hansard at MacGowan’s funeral in December 2023, the pair were backed by members of The Pogues and later performed “Fairytale of New York,” eventually bringing mourners to their feet to dance in the church aisles.
Tributes from Fellow Musicians
O’Neill was among numerous musicians who participated in Hansard’s funeral. Eddie Vedder and Markéta Irglová performed “The Song of Good Hope,” Damien Dempsey sang “Sing All Your Cares Away,” and Bono played a lullaby recorded by Patti Smith before reciting lyrics from U2’s “Beautiful Day.” The service concluded with Vedder, Ó Maonlaí, and many of Hansard’s friends and collaborators leading a rendition of Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young.”
Hansard died early on July 29th following a motorcycle crash outside Dublin. He was 56 years old. His funeral followed a public wake at the Irish Museum of Modern Art, where thousands of mourners filed past his wicker coffin as traditional musicians played nearby.
The outpouring of tributes and performances at Hansard’s funeral was a testament to the impact he had on the music world and the countless lives he touched through his work. As the music community continues to mourn the loss of this incredible talent, his legacy will undoubtedly live on through the countless songs and performances that will continue to inspire and uplift fans for years to come.
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