Although Covid-19 has made the traditional gathering on Grafton Street impossible once again, the iconic Christmas Eve Busk is set to return in a special way this year – as a streamed concert, featuring a star-studded selection of legendary and emerging Irish artists.

#TheBusk, taking place at 9pm on Christmas Eve via YouTube, will be raising funds to support people experiencing homelessness across Ireland. Although the event is free to watch, people are invited to donate at simonbusk.ie – with the Dublin Simon Community collecting donations from this special event on behalf of all Simon Communities.

Featuring Glen Hansard, Bono, Damien Rice, Lisa O'Neill and many more Irish musicians and creatives, the performances were filmed during Christmas week, embracing the true spirit of The Busk.

"The event is free to watch but we ask that you support Simon Communities across Ireland by donating here to help us fill the €1.5 million fundraising gap caused by Covid," the charity says on the simonbusk.ie website. "Donations will help us to keep the doors open at Simon Communities across Ireland to provide essential supports in tackling homelessness, and delivering homelessness prevention initiatives.

"A big thank you to all the amazing artists and creatives who came together at short notice to realise this fantastic initiative."

Watch #TheBusk on Dublin Simon Community's YouTube channel at 9pm on Christmas Eve, December 24.

Join this Christmas Eve for the legendary Busk at 9pm on our YouTube channel! This year’s busk will be a special affair featuring performances from Bono @U2, @Glen_Hansard, @DamienRice, @lisaoneillmusic and many more. #TheBusk

Donate what you can at https://t.co/4DmcveioDz pic.twitter.com/CUkbg9MCxp

— Dublin Simon (@Dublin_Simon) December 21, 2021

Read our recent interview with Glen Hansard in the Hot Press Annual 2022: