Bono raises eyebrows with odd moment at Hansard funeral

A huge number of stars from the world of music poured into St Patrick’s Cathedral to bid farewell to Oscar-winning Hansard.

Bono, his bandmate The Edge, Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, Damien Rice, Imelda May, Damien Dempsey, Lisa Hannigan, and Hansard’s former partner Marketa Irglova were all in attendance at the unforgettable ceremony.

A number of powerful tributes were paid, with Irglova singing a stunning version of "The Song of Good Hope" with Pearl Jam’s Vedder, while Hansard’s wife, Maire Saaritsa, also read out a powerful poem in tribute to her late husband.

However, one moment raised some eyebrows from those in attendance and watching online as Bono began to read out a spoken word version of his own song "Beautiful Day".

He then asked those in attendance to sing along and broke into an unrecognizable version of the smash hit.

The moment appeared to fall flat as Bono’s bandmate, The Edge, wandered up on the altar before they both stepped down.

The moment has seen many taking to social media asking simply: "What was that?"

However, others have lauded Bono for his attendance and also praised his efforts in playing a tribute from Patti Smith on his phone.

 Bono told those in attendance that Glen was so well-liked, he had thousands of "best friends".

Actors Steve Coogan and Chris O’Dowd were also in attendance, as well as former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams and traditional musician Finbar Furey.

Chris O'Dowd photographed outside St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Members of the public applauded as the funeral procession arrived at the cathedral, with the hearse being pulled by four horses, before the wicker coffin, adorned with green branches, was carried inside.

Rev Dr William Morton, the dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, welcomed mourners and accepted the gift of a guitar at the altar.

Rev Morton said the service was being held "in thanksgiving for and in celebration" of Hansard’s "life, talent, generosity and kindness".

Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich read a poem and then described Hansard as a "one-off person the likes of which we won’t meet again".

He said: "He was so well-known on the big stages of Ireland and all over the world.

"But to us, who were close to him, he was an ordinary, kind-hearted Ballymun man. A true Dub."

Thousands gathered outside St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Hansard’s younger brother Richard told the service that his brother had a "way of making you feel like you mattered".

He said: "Glen made me feel like the world was a much more magical place than it was at the time.

"He sang songs, he was a storyteller, he would come in and turn the evening around. It was easy to look up and be inspired.

"I know he made ripples and made waves. He had an impact on so many, look at this room.

"Those waves began at kitchen tables in Ballymun and Killester, and it is at those tables for us he will remain. His first stage was our house and his audience was his mam, dad and brothers."

He added: "We have inherited all the magical, colorful words, hugs, talks, madness, sadness, insightful manic beauty that a brother, an uncle, a husband, and a father could ever give.

"Thank you, Glen. Thank you, brother. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you."

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.