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Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Colin Brennan

Stars line out Grafton Street for annual Christmas Eve charity busk

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.

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."

(Collins)

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

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.

(Collins)

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.

(Collins)

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.

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