Dublin’s Grafton Street will host its annual Christmas Eve busk this year without its central figure, Glen Hansard, following the musician’s death in a motorcycle accident on July 29.
While the loss of the 56-year-old singer-songwriter is deeply felt, organizers confirmed the charity event will proceed to support the Dublin Simon Community.
The event, which Hansard helped establish in 2010 as an impromptu performance, has become a cornerstone of the city’s festive calendar. Musicians including Mundy, Danny O’Reilly of The Coronas, and Imelda May are slated to perform outside The Gaiety Theatre, continuing the tradition of raising awareness and funds for those experiencing homelessness.
Busk Event Raises over €1 Million for Dublin Simon Community
- The annual busk has raised over €1 million for the Dublin Simon Community since its inception in 2010.
- With 70 percent of the country's homeless population concentrated in Dublin, services face high demand.
- The charity is hosting a series of winter fundraisers, including an art auction launching on 27 November and the Sing for Simon concert on 6 December.
For the Dublin Simon Community, the event remains a vital lifeline. “Really, at a time at Christmas when most of us think about warmth and home and being with the people we love, but for the people behind those numbers experiencing homelessness, they don't have that sense of safety and security,” Catherine Kenny, CEO of the Dublin Simon Community, told RTÉ.
“It’s a particularly poignant time for us this year. Obviously, his passing during the year was incredibly impactful for us all.”
said Catherine Kenny, CEO of the Dublin Simon Community, during an interview on RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.
The musical tribute extends beyond Grafton Street. As noted by IrishCentral, a new recording of the Pogues classic “Bottle of Smoke,” featuring Hansard and accordion player James Fearnley, is included on the upcoming tribute album 20th Century Paddy.
Recorded in October 2024 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, the track will see half of its proceeds donated to the Dublin Simon Community, further cementing the link between Hansard’s artistic output and his long-term charitable commitments.
| Event/Project | Date | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Community of Hope art auction | Launching 27 November | Fundraising for Dublin Simon Community |
| Sing for Simon Concert | 6 December | Charity performance at the Helix |
According to Hot Press, the organization has been overwhelmed by the response from Ireland’s creative community, which includes donations of original artwork from prominent figures like Bono and Aidan Gillen.
As the city prepares for the December 24 event, the focus remains on the 17,885 people in homeless accommodation across Ireland.
📰 Christmas Eve Busk Dublin 2026: Imelda May, O'Reilly, Mundy · @Glen_Hansard https://t.co/j8YJE0aoYr
“It’s so incredible to see the community that are coming together, as you said, led by Mundy, Danny O’Reilly and Imelda May, that community coming together during the emotional time and keeping his message, and the issue of homelessness, alive,” Kenny told RTÉ.
“And showing that there's still a dedication to raising that awareness, but also the true belief that homelessness isn't inevitable and that, by coming together, change is possible,” Catherine Kenny, CEO of the Dublin Simon Community, told RTÉ.
