Few in Ireland are going to quickly forget the last week of July 2026. It all began with tumultuous celebrations after Mayo cast aside 75 years of disappointment - including eleven All Ireland football final losses - and finally laid claim to the Sam Maguire cup.
The celebration was something to behold, in Mayo itself, around Ireland, and across the globe wherever Mayo folk have settled. And that's a lot of places. Neutrals, too, joined in the post-match fun and Kerry was a most graceful beaten finalist. All and sundry were feeling good because this was a classic feel good story.
And then the celebration was interrupted. The sudden death of singer/songwriter Glen Hansard was a stark reminder of the fragility of any feel good moment, of life itself.
Many who might not have given a thought to Hansard's life and musical career, his long record of giving his time and talent to charitable causes, particularly the battle against homelessness, were suddenly presented with the very opposite of a memorable win: an enormous loss.
Hansard was Ireland's troubadour, an up from humble beginnings man who made the most of his God-given talents and then some. What added to the overwhelming sadness of it all was that the 56-year-old's death was in a road accident. It might well not have happened but for, well, that's yet to be determined.
So ecstasy and agony, joy and sorrow, all shared by so many in one single week, the last of July 2026.
A moment for sadness. A photo of Glen Hansard in Dublin's Mansion House where a book of condolence was signed by many. Photo by Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.
