Dublin Christmas Eve Busk Returns Following Death of Glen Hansard

Musicians will gather on Grafton Street this year for the first Christmas Eve busk following the death of Glen Hansard.

The annual fundraising event, which Hansard helped establish 15 years ago, faces its first holiday season without the singer-songwriter, according to RTÉ. The tradition, which began in 2010 as an impromptu sing-song on Grafton Street, has since evolved into a more organized charity event held outside The Gaiety Theatre, reports Dublin Live.

“It’s a particularly poignant time for us this year. Obviously, his passing during the year was incredibly impactful for us all,” Catherine Kenny, CEO of the Dublin Simon Community, told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland.

While Hansard’s presence will be missing, the community he helped build is set to carry his message forward. The lineup for this year’s event includes Mundy, Imelda May, and The Coronas frontman Danny O’Reilly, Hotpress reported.

What started as a spontaneous street performance has become a significant pillar of Dublin’s cultural and charitable landscape. Over the years, the busk has attracted high-profile performers including Bono, Sinéad O’Connor, and Damien Rice, according to Hotpress.

Glen hansard takes part in the annual christmas eve busk outside the gaiety theatre — Photo: Dublin Live

The financial impact of the event is substantial. The Christmas Eve Busk has raised more than €1 million for the Dublin Simon Community since its inception. These funds are directed toward frontline services, including outreach for people sleeping rough, support for those in temporary accommodation, and prevention efforts to help people sustain their existing homes.

“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.

The event operates at a critical juncture for social services. In Ireland, the homelessness crisis remains acute, with approximately 17,885 people in homeless accommodation, Hotpress noted. Roughly 70 percent of the country’s homeless population is concentrated in Dublin, representing about 12,000 people.

The seasonal timing of the busk highlights the disparity between the holiday spirit and the reality for those without shelter. For many, the period of warmth and family connection is marked by a lack of safety and security.

“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,” Kenny said.

Glen hansard saoirsemc — Photo: Hotpress

The Dublin Simon Community is running several other initiatives before the holidays to increase its resources. These include:

The Sing For Simon concert at the Helix on December 6, featuring David Keenan, Hotpress reported.
The Community of Hope art auction, which runs from November 29 to December 9.
The Carolathon scheduled for December 14.

Beyond the street performances, the organization is encouraging public involvement through volunteering, direct donations, or independent fundraising to support those at risk of losing their homes.

“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,” Kenny told RTÉ.

Disclaimer: The cultural analyses and financial data presented in this article are based on available public records and industry metrics at the time of publication.