Flaunt Weeekly
The Coronas perform a rendition of the Cranberries ‘Linger’ during Christmas Eve ‘Big Busk’
Denise Calnan and Olivia Lynott
Shoppers and revellers gathered on Dublin’s Grafton Street to sing along with some of Ireland’s best musicians in what has become a much-loved Christmas Eve tradition.
The Coronas led the excited crowd in an energetic performance of ‘Linger’, in a touching tribute to The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan.
Glen Hansard takes part in the annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, in aid of homeless charity, the Simon Community. Picture date: Tuesday December 24, 2024. Evan Treacy/PA Wire
Glen Hansard and Shoby also joined the 13th edition of the annual Christmas Eve Busk, which Simon Community hosted outside the iconic Gaiety Theatre.
Shobsy takes part in the annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, in aid of homeless charity, the Simon Community. Picture date: Tuesday December 24, 2024. Evan Treacy/PA Wire
Busy last-minute shoppers took a break to watch and contribute to the donation drive, on one of the charity’s busiest fundraising days of the year.
Hansard said it was an honour and a blessing to be performing at the free outdoor gig.
Glen Hansard takes part in the annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, in aid of homeless charity, the Simon Community. Picture date: Tuesday December 24, 2024. Evan Treacy/PA Wire
He performed the much-loved Pogues’ song ‘Rainy Night in Soho’.
In what began as an impromptu music session in 2010, the Christmas Eve busk has turned into a high-octane festive tradition in the capital.
Despite a hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, well-known and up-and-coming Irish artists take part in the charity fundraiser every year.
The busk comes after a series of new record high homeless figures in Ireland, with the latest stats showing 14,966 people were in emergency accommodation in October, including 4,645 children.
The statistics, released by the Department of Housing each month, do not include people sleeping rough, people couch surfing, the homeless in hospitals or prisons, or those who are in shelters for asylum seekers or victims of domestic violence.
The statistics indicate that homelessness has risen by 47% since the last election in February 2020, and by 16% among children year on year.
Members of the public were asked to donate on the Dublin Simon Community website.
Glen Hansard takes part in the annual Christmas Eve busk outside the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin, in aid of homeless charity, the Simon Community. Picture date: Tuesday December 24, 2024. Evan Treacy/PA Wire
