Shane MacGowan’s widow carries on dancing into the night as 300 guests including Johnny Depp and Nick Cave attend wake for legendary singer in modest thatched-roof pub

Shane MacGowan’s widow carried on dancing into the night at a wake for her husband held at a modest thatched-roof pub.

Dozens of security men dressed in black stood guard outside the unassuming venue as Johnny Depp and Nick Cave joined Victoria Mary Clarke and other mourners at the gathering. 

Around 300 guests crowded into the establishment with pints of Guinness and cocktails flowing in memory of The Pogue’s singer. 

Earlier today at the legendary rockers funeral, Victoria, 58, had danced around her husband’s coffin with other family members, with the music-filled celebration of MacGowan’s continuing into the late hours.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Victoria wanted Shane’s farewell to be a good old Irish ‘hooley’. She knew there would be some tears later, but she just wanted a celebration. 

‘It’s all about laughter, hugs and raising a drink or ten to Shane. There was going to be a lot of soreheads tomorrow morning.’

Shane MacGowan’s widow carried on dancing into the night at a wake for her husband held at a modest thatched-roof pub. Pictured: Arriving at his funeral earlier today 

Earlier today Ms Clarke was pictured grieving as her late husband’s coffin is carried into the church

Nick Cave arrives for the funeral of Shane MacGowan at Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Church earlier today

Hollywood star Johnny Depp arrives at the funeral of Shane MacGowan on Friday afternoon

The Pogues’ frontman died last week age 65 following a battle with pneumonia

Depp has promised to keep in touch with Victoria despite the passing of his adored friend. And tight security enveloped him as he slipped into the party.

A Celtic band provided the traditional Irish music tonight as Bally Common turned into Hollywood with dozens of Men in Black with ear pieces barring the way for non-invited guests.

Amongst the star-studded guest list were Liam O’Manlai of the Hot House flowers, John Sheehan of The Dubliners, Oscar winning singer Glen Hansard and singer Imelda May.

The Thatched Cottage provides scrumptious food and cocktails. The menu offers Monkfish, Irish steaks and red hot curries.

Earlier today tens of thousands of mourners gathered along the roads between Nenagh, Tipperary, to Dublin to say a final goodbye to the legendary punk rocker.

Fans tried to touch the coffin – draped in the Irish tricolour – as it was pulled along by a horse and carriage. Others threw flowers or raised a pint of Guinness to the Pogue’s frontman. 

MacGowan’s widow Victory Mary Clark in tears as she hunched over her partner’s coffin outside Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

It was then lifted by six pallbearers – including Depp – into the church for the service, where a variety of songs rang out, including Haunted by The Pogues.

The couple had been together for years, marrying in 2018, after knowing each other since Victoria was 16

MacGowan died just days after he was  released from hospital amid a battle with a brain condition, with his wife Victoria sharing a photo of him in his hospital bed 

Depp was among the pallbearers seen carrying the wicker casket out of Saint Mary’s into the church 

In a tribute to him at his funeral, she said that his death ‘took us all by surprise’ – as she everyone ‘thought he’d come home’

The church in Co Tipperary was packed full of mourners after MacGowan’s coffin made the 99-mile trip from Dublin

Depp – who was a long-term friend of MacGowan, attending his wedding in 2018 –  was joined by Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlai as they read the prayers of the faithful during this afternoon’s service. 

Australian singer Cave sang A Rainy Night in Soho, as part of the send off. Imelda May – who was a frequent visitor to MacGowan during his final days – Liam O Maonlai and Declan O’Rourke then performed You’re The One. 

Opening the service Father Pat Gilbert reflected on the care Victoria had given to her husband up until his death last week.

He died aged 65 following a battle with pneumonia. He had been discharged from hospital just a week before after undergoing treatment for viral encephalitis, a condition in which swelling develops on the brain.

Father Gilbert said: ‘Born on the birthday of Jesus and passing on the same days as Oscar Wilde and Patrick Kavanagh, and his funeral celebration mass today on this great feast of Mary and Sinead’s (O’Connor) birthday. Something seems right about all of this.’ 

He added: ‘I know he adored you Victoria and you him, and you were so loving, supportive and kind throughout your lives together. You carried and cared and caressed him right to the very end.

‘And I am also aware of the strong bonds of love and affection that knit you together as a family Maurice, Siobhan and Anthony. I know that you all will miss Shane terribly.

Hundreds of people have lined the streets to say farewell to Pogues star Shane MacGowan 

A picture of late Irish singer Shane MacGowan is displayed on the day of his funeral procession, in Tipperary, Ireland

The hearse carrying the coffin of MacGowan passes through Nenagh, Co. Tipperary following the service 

‘A voice, a presence around you and with you, is suddenly silent – and coping with that loss is always difficult.’

During her eulogy MacGowan’s widow said her partner, whom she had been with on-and-off since she was 16, ‘told everybody how much he loved them’ in his final days.

The Irish journalist said MacGowan’s death ‘took us all by surprise’ – as everyone ‘thought he’d come home’. 

She said she ‘fell in love with his soul’ as she recalled how they first met, adding that she ‘felt like I’d won the lottery’. Ms Clarke added: ‘It would be greedy, really to want more than we got. We got so much. Of course I’m going to miss him.

‘I’ve been devastated and I’ve been crying and crying and crying but at the same time as crying I think it’s possible to feel that my heart has got bigger – it has got so much bigger as a result of our relationship and I feel that it will never go back.’

Ms Clarke went on to surprise the congregation, telling mourners her late husband had urged Depp to forgive his wife Amber Heard, referring to the Hollywood actor’s bitter libel case against his ex-wife.

She looked at Depp before telling the mourners how her late husband ‘urged’ him to forgive Heard.

She said: ‘I hope you don’t mind me saying this Johnny, but when Johnny had a court case involving his ex-wife Amber and Shane had a long conversation with you, didn’t he, and urged you to forgive Amber.’

Shane MacGowan’s wife arrives at St Mary’s of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, County Tipperary

The service’s readers were revealed in the order of service

Shane MacGowan pictured with his sister Siobhan, who paid tribute to him at the funeral today

The church had been filled with MacGowan’s prized possessions. They included a copy of the Buddha, a Led Zeppelin record, a DVD copy of The Godfather, along with a Tipperary flag. 

A Crock Of God book, a James Joyce novel and a hurling stick were also among MacGowan’s prized belongings on display.

MacGowan’s younger sister, Siobhan MacGowan, also spoke from the alter.

She said: ‘So Shane you did what you said you were going to do on those long-ago days in Tipperary. And you did it with such heart and fire.

‘A fire that is not dimmed by death, for you have lit that fire and it burns now in Ireland and all over the world.

‘And so, Shane, with words from Dad and I, your little sister and your father, we are so proud of you, so very proud of you our darling.’

Her voice broke as she quoted her brother: ‘As a sunset came to meet the evening on the hill, I told you I’d always love you, I always did and I always will.’

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