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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Colin Brennan

Irish musicians ask people to donate to homeless charity after Christmas Eve busk in Dublin City centre

Irish musicians have asked people to donate to a homeless charity after the annual Christmas Eve busk in Dublin.

Imelda May urged people to give what they could as "everyone deserves a home".

The Dublin singer joined dozens of other performers on stage for the event.

Several thousand people watched on in the cold outside Gaiety Theatre in Dublin's South King Street.

Volunteers from the Simon Community passed buckets gave buckets around to the crowd asking people to give to the charity.

Scenes as Glen Hansard and other Irish stars performed outside the Gaiety this Christmas Eve. The event was organised to help raise funds for homeless charity the Simon Community. (Collins Photo Agency)

Imelda May recited a poem called Home and then said: "Whatever you think this gig is worth then donate it to the Simon Community," she said. 

"I've donated, I always do. 

"We all deserve a home."

Frames frontman Glen Hansard, organised the event which draws thousands every year.

Scenes as Roisin O and Danny O'Reilly and other Irish stars performed outside the Gaiety this Christmas Eve. The event was organised to help raise funds for homeless charity the Simon Community. (Collins Photo Agency)

The Oscar winning songwriter said: "We organise this busking for the homeless and we send out about 100 messages and around 20 people show up. 

"These are all the Dublin musicians who show up and give up their time."

Glen started the event with the song Revelation.

Hudson Taylor were joined by the Coronas' Danny O'Reilly and their sister Holly.

Scenes as Glen Hansard and other Irish stars performed outside the Gaiety this Christmas Eve. The event was organised to help raise funds for homeless charity the Simon Community. (Collins Photo Agency)

The brothers used to busk on Grafton Street and asked the public to give to their Simon Community.

They sand their new single, How I know it's Christmas.

Freddie Mercury impersonator Brian Keville sang Crazy Little Thing Called Love, while Stephen James Smith recited poems.

Liam O Maonlai did several songs in Irish as well as a duet with Hansard and Imelda May.

John Francis Flynn did a few Dubliner's songs while Mundy sang Like A Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan.

In previous years, U2's Bono and the Edge were there but Hansard said that Bono couldn't go this year because he was 'wrecked' after flying home from India.

Glen Hansard added that some people may have been expecting other singers to be there on the night but they never know who will take part on the night.

All the artists came together to sing Fairy Tale Of New York to end the busking session.

Scenes as Glen Hansard and other Irish stars performed outside the Gaiety this Christmas Eve. The event was organised to help raise funds for homeless charity the Simon Community (Collins Photo Agency)
Laura Whitemore pictured as Glen Hansard and other Irish stars performed outside the Gaiety this Christmas Eve. The event was organised to help raise funds for homeless charity the Simon Community. (Collins Photo Agency)

TV star Laura Whitmore was on a watching brief.

The Wicklow native had earlier confirmed the news that she is the replacement Love Island host last week she posted a heartfelt announcement.

She called Caroline Flack 'a brilliant host and also a friend' as she admitted that she wished the job role came under "better circumstances."

The stunning TV host admitted that she's been speaking to Caroline a lot since she stepped down as she revealed the former presenter "strongly pushed me for the role."

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