A massive honour for The Frames’ frontman.
Glen Hansard has been awarded the inaugural Brendan Behan, given for an outstanding contribution to the arts by the Dublin Institute of Technology, where Behan attended as a student.
The singer and star of the film Once was presented with the award on Tuesday evening.
“I feel very grateful for this; I feel very young to be accepting this,” said Hansard in his acceptance speech. “The fact that it’s come from Dublin means the world to me.”
Congrats to @Glen_Hansard recipient of the @ditofficial Brendan Behan Award for outstanding achievement in the arts! pic.twitter.com/gLJfieEtCJ
— Dublin UNESCO (@DublinCityofLit) November 8, 2016
The award was set up by the more than 60 DIT societies, and acknowledges individuals who have, “demonstrated excellence in the area of the arts, culture and the media.”
Chairperson of DIT Societies Student Media & Arts Committee, Tara Kelleher, said: “The success of an Irishman is a success of the nation. Brendan Behan, coming from inner city Dublin sculpted new ground in the world of literature. He paved the way for Irish talent abroad.
go raibh míle maith agat go léir! https://t.co/VF4QBg7EiD
— Glen Hansard (@Glen_Hansard) November 9, 2016
“Now, we cannot think of a better Irishman to be the first recipient of The Brendan Behan Award – Glen Hansard, a true Irish treasure, started busking on Grafton Street and climbed all the way to the top, both nationally and internationally.
“Be it in the studio, on stage or on film, Glen’s contribution to the arts is an inspiration and on the 8th of November the students of DIT are recognising that in awarding him the very first Brendan Behan Award.”
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