Glen Hansard, Dermot Kennedy, Lisa Hannigan, Roisin O, Mundy, David Keenan and many more featured on the documentary.
'The Busk - A Decade on Grafton Street' was an RTÉ One special which broadcast on the Irish channel late yesterday evening. The one-off episode paid homage to the decade-long tradition which began with Glen Hansard in 2010.
The message of the documentary was simple - raise money for the Simon Community in order to combat homelessness in Ireland. Featuring special performances from some of the artists, as well as interviews and archive footage over the past decade, 'The Busk' captivated audiences with its wholesome, Christmas vibe. This is what Christmas is about.
Every performance was impressive, from Dermot Kennedy's 'Raglan Road', to Irish Women in Harmony's 'Hallelujah', the episode was also bookended by Dublin spoken word artist Natalya O'Flaherty, reminding us about why the Christmas Eve busk takes place each year.
A look at back at some 'Christmas Eve busk' memories presented by @Glen_Hansard, tonight at 10.10pm.#TheBusk #SupportSimon pic.twitter.com/MKfuJkBQQA
— RTÉ One (@RTEOne) December 22, 2020
There was also a special tribute to Phil Lynott with a fresh take on 'Old Town', which is a charity single available to download online right now.
Here's some of the positive reaction the RTÉ One special was receiving on Twitter last night.
Just when I thought @DermotKennedy couldn't get any better after the late late show and that wonderful thing he did for that young boy, he goes and sings one of my favourite songs acapella alone on South King Street. Absolute perfection ? A national treasure #raglanroad #thebusk
— Carol Kelly (@ckelly1978) December 22, 2020
Pure magic @irewomeninharm ? @rte @cltv_film #Thebusk pic.twitter.com/zYv1agmkad
— Airwrecka Codeine (@ItsEricaCody) December 22, 2020
My little heart is not able for the music on #thebusk tonight. I miss craic. I miss sing-songs. I miss singing shite harmonies along to my brothers playing guitar.
— OONAGH (@oonaghmurphy) December 22, 2020
What a beautiful version of 'Holy night' @LisaHannigan! Worth losing the voice for! #TheBusk
— Eamonn McGurk (@McGurkEamonn) December 22, 2020
Loving #TheBusk with @Glen_Hansard on @RTEOne Goodness hasn’t @LisaHannigan the most soothing beautiful tone to her voice Such talent in this wee country of ours This program is the tonic I needed tonight Thank you one and all
— Raymond Poole (@Aladinsane40) December 22, 2020
Rocky Road to Dublin @Glen_Hansard ???? all loving it in our the house #thebusk pic.twitter.com/AbMRNWdwdd
— Clare Barrett (@ClareBarrett123) December 23, 2020
Gerrup, Glen Hansard. What a rendition of The Rocky Road to Dublin. Bualadh bos #thebusk #glenhansard
— Clare Beatty (@ClareBeatty74) December 22, 2020
After the announcement today, what a lift and timely reminder of those less fortunate #thebusk was. Stunning. @ToluMakay @LisaHannigan @lliamm7 @aslinndubh ❤️
— Gavin O'Connor (@gavinoconnor) December 22, 2020
If you were not watching #RTE1 in the last hour you have missed something very special....especially the last song played tonight. #TheBusk #OldTown #Philo I cannot go even close to doing it justice. Just find it and watch it and let’s have #TheBusk back on our streets next year!
— John Mulligan (@Mulliganj) December 22, 2020
After watching #TheBusk and now there's an ad from the #LateLateToyShow when @DermotKennedy surprised that young lad @RTEOne what are you trying to do to me! ??
— MarieSCS (@ScsMarie) December 22, 2020
Wasn’t mad into #TheBusk initially but my oh my, that @irewomeninharm piece! That arrangement, those parts!
— Finian Murphy (@finianmurphy) December 22, 2020
Haunting version of #RaglanRoad from @DermotKennedy - good for the soul on this of all evenings! #TheBusk
— Tara Farrell (@TeeFarr) December 22, 2020
Really enjoyed #TheBusk. Have never seen the actual busk, cos like most culchies I spent all my Christmas Eves trying to get the hell out of dodge by lunchtime. But the nostalgia for Dublin, especially at Christmas ... I miss the buskers and pints in the Long Hall ?
— Anne-Marie (@am_flynn) December 22, 2020
We needed that in Ireland after the day we've just had #TheBusk
— Kevin Sharkey (@tv_KevinSharkey) December 22, 2020
Fairytale of New York should always be left alone but @DavidKeenanmuso has made a case with the backing of a harp, tin whistle & piano ?????? #thebusk
— Laurence Kinlan (@laurencekinlan) December 23, 2020
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broken down
This boy is crack'in up
This boy has broke downOld Town#PhilLynott
What an end to a inspirational documentary #TheBusk@Glen_Hansard @RoisinOmusic@mundyirl @TheCoronas @RTEOne@SimonCommunity @declanorourke @U2 @hotpress pic.twitter.com/G1ANzp3zo6
— Old DublinTown. com (@OldDublinTown) December 23, 2020
If you missed it last night, you can catch 'The Busk - A Decade on Grafton Street' on the RTÉ Player.
