Peter BurrowsWhere poetry met song and Irish soul filled the room.
There are gigs you go to, and there are gigs that feel like coming home. On Saturday night in Newcastle West, Glen Hansard delivered the latter — an intimate, heartfelt performance. The evening was as much a celebration of Irishness and poetry as it was of music.
Fresh off his American tour and visibly fighting jet lag, Hansard admitted early on that he felt a touch of nervousness about the night. It was understandable. This wasn’t just another stop on a tour — it was a deeply personal gig, part of the Éigse Literary Festival, which honours the late poet Michael Hartnett. Hansard’s wife, Moire, a poet and lifelong Hartnett admirer herself, had been instrumental in encouraging him to take part. What resulted was a unique evening — a passion project for the couple that blended song, spoken word, and shared memory.
Honouring Michael Hartnett at the Éigse Literary Festival
From the opening notes of “Limerick Town” through to the tender closer “The Parting Glass,” Hansard carried the room with that rare mix of humility and raw honesty that’s become his trademark. Between songs, he spoke with warmth and reverence about Hartnett, grounding his set in a shared love for the poet’s language and legacy.
The setlist evolved organically throughout the evening. There was a natural flow between Hansard classics like “Bird of Sorrow,” “Winning Streak,” and “Say It to Me Now,” and traditional tunes such as “Foggy Dew.” Moments of quiet reflection came through readings of Hartnett’s poetry. Moire’s contribution — translating some of Hartnett’s work into Finnish — offered a hauntingly beautiful bridge between cultures. It was proof that the Irish soul resonates far beyond our shores.
Irish Identity, Global Conscience, and the Power of Song
At one point in the evening, Hansard paused to question what it means to be Irish today. How identity shifts between heritage, globalisation, and conscience. His rendition of “American Townland” became the night’s emotional pivot. He introduced the song while reflecting on the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict and Ireland’s place in a complicated world. He recalled how it had once led to a prolonged conversation at the American Embassy while renewing his work visa. The audience laughed, but the humour gave way to silence as the performance unfolded, raw and unflinching. It was a moment of truth-telling that felt both political and deeply human, underscoring Hansard’s courage as an artist unafraid to hold a mirror to uncomfortable realities.
There were also readings by Hartnett’s childhood friends and contemporary poets, creating a rich tapestry of memory, art, and emotion. The night wasn’t just about performance; it was about community, storytelling, and the enduring heartbeat of Irish creativity.
A Communion of Music, Memory, and Irish Spirit
By the time Hansard reached “Falling Slowly,” the room was entirely his — hushed, united, and deeply moved. You could sense that everyone present knew they were witnessing something special: a communion of music and poetry that transcended the stage.
As a Frames fan for 25 years, I’ve seen Hansard in countless settings — from roaring festival fields to hushed theatres — but this show will stay with me. It was unfiltered, unguarded, and achingly sincere. A night where art met ancestry, and where a town honoured its poet through the universal language of song.
