Crowds of people have gathered in Dublin and Tipperary for the funeral procession of The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan. The songwriter, best known for penning Fairytale of New York, died last week aged 65 following a lengthy hospital stay after his encephalitis diagnosis.
Members of the public have lined the streets to pay their respects as the procession makes its way from South Dublin, where Shane lived with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke, through the city across MacMahon Bridge and onto Westland Row.
The procession, which involves a horse-drawn carriage as well as the Artane Band and a piper, will then travel to Tipperary for Shane’s funeral mass, which will be live-streamed.
Shane had strong connections to the Irish town as his mother was from there and he later moved to live in the family home. It is thought that his childhood summers in Tipperary influenced his love of Irish music and the eventual sound of The Pogues.
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Shane’s coffin draped in Irish tricolour
Shane MacGowan’s coffin was draped in the Irish flag as it was transported by a horse-drawn carriage.
Funeral will celebrate ‘a side of Shane that’s not known’
Father Pat Gilbert said Shane’s funeral will celebrate the spiritual side of the singer.
He explained to RTE: “It’s a side of him that’s not known but it’s a side of him we must celebrate. It’s a side that was important to him in the context of his living of his life.
“We will have the rite of reception, we’ll have mass and we’ll have the rite of final accommodation interspersed with pieces of his music which will be performed by some of his friends.
“I think that’s the right thing to do, that’s the way to celebrate the man, the faith, the music and the lyric.
“It’s the way to celebrate and remember the husband, the brother, the son and the brother-in-law.”
Mourners remember an icon
Among the thousands who turned out to pay their respects is Aidan Grimes, 60, who described MacGowan as an “icon”.
He said: “I remember the first time I saw The Pogues in the Hammersmith Odeon in 1985. It is imprinted in my mind forever, just the madness and mayhem, the raucous nature of his singing and the music they were playing.
“Through the years he evolved into a great poet and he will be sadly missed.
“I met him in Dublin about 15 years ago and he was a very charming, nice, friendly man. He talked about music and his time in London.
“I thought it was important to pay my respects. He was an icon of Dublin, just like Brendan Behan, Luke Kelly. His music will be listened to in 100 years’ time.”
Funeral procession through Dublin
Shane MacGowan’s funeral procession is expected to begin at 11am and last 45 minutes.
The horse-drawn carriage, as well as the Artane Band and a piper, will travel through Dublin across MacMahon Bridge and onto Pearse Street.
It will then turn onto Westland Row, onto Fenian Street and conclude at Denzille Lane at approximately 11.45am.
The Pogues singer’s public funeral mass, which will be livestreamed, will then take place at St Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Tipperary, at 3.30pm.
A private cremation will follow.
Good morning
Good morning from London. I’m Leah, I’ll be bringing you all the latest developments on Shane MacGowan’s funeral. Please get in touch with me if you have a story or tips to share! Your thoughts are always welcome.
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