The Pogues star Shane MacGowan's funeral took place in County Tipperary, Ireland, this afternoon (December 8) with fans and stars attending to pay their respects.
Fans turned out in their thousands to pay tribute to The Pogues' Shane MacGowan ahead of his funeral in Ireland on Friday, with friends such as Johnny Depp and Sir Bob Geldof also honouring the late musician. During his funeral, his widow Victoria shared several moving stories about her husband and his life, while his sister Siobhan shared an insight into his life growing up in England and Ireland
Shane was suffering from illness in the years before his death and was hospitalised for viral encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and shingles in December 2022. The star was admitted to the ICU in June, with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke sharing updates on his condition. He was discharged from St. Vincent's Hospital in Dublin in November, just days before his death.
The attendance of both Hollywood star Johnny Depp and Irish president Michael D Higgins at St Mary of the Rosary Church on Friday was a tribute to how the music and personality of Shane MacGowan crossed boundaries and seemed to attract fans and friends from all walks of life. One fan who lined the street referred to Shane as "life-changing for me" before explaining that he named his first son after MacGowan.
MacGowan's widow Victoria Mary Clarke presented symbols of her late husband during the funeral mass which included a copy of a Depp album, whom she called a "massive fan" of The Pogues frontman. A Led Zeppelin record, art and lyrics from MacGowan that form a Crock Of God book, a James Joyce novel, a hurling stick and a Tipperary flag were also among the items presented at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church in Nenagh.
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While the occasion was always going to be tinged with regret, this was a funeral filled with music, laughter and appreciation. See below to see how Shane's funeral unfolded with several touching moments.
Following a public funeral, Shane's close friends, loved ones and relatives are now gathering for a private farewell.
The late musician will be cremated in a private service, with Johnny Depp being one of six pallbearers for his coffin.
Shane will now be cremated in a private ceremony (BBC)Shane's close friend and Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, along with five pallbearers carried his coffin out of the church.
Upon his exit, the late Pogues star was offered loud applause and cheers from mourners who lined the streets and congregated inside the church.
Johnny Depp (right) was one of six pallbearers for the coffin (BBC)When discussing Shane's ex-wife, Victoria revealed that he urged his pal, Johnny Depp to forgive his ex, Amber Heard.
She told the church: "When Johnny had a court case involving his ex-wife, Amber, and Shane had a long conversation with you didn't he urge you to forgive Amber? He just thought it was the best thing to do because he believed genuinely in forgiveness and I'm sure you have by now."
Shane's wife revealed he urged pal Johnny Depp to forgive Amber Heard (Getty Images for Art of Elysium)During her eulogy, Victoria revealed she was once left baffled when she discovered Shane would once take "100 tabs of acid per day." She added that a priest was once left horrified when he found out that Shane would take Holy Communion "every day" which was described as "illegal."
In a unique twist, Victoria said Shane read "every religious text he could get his hands on" and was a fan of reading he Quran, the central religious text for Islam and is believed to be a revelation from God.
During a eulogy, Shane's wife revealed that Shane believed he wouldn't die, ever, and he hated the thought of death.
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"People were telling me he'd be dead within six months because he was a hard drinker," she said, before adding that his death "took us all by surprise". Victoria said that she and his relatives "lived in terror" for some time as Shane had "lived on the edge".
She said that while observing Shane after taking 'substances' he would talk to dragons and once spent five hours locked in the bathroom speaking to a dead Irish poet. On another occasion, she revealed that she found Shane hidden in the attic 'tripping out' speaking to Freddie Kruger.
Speaking to mourners, Siobhan said her elder brother had been a "pin-up" since the moment he was born.
She said after moving to Tipperary, Shane would push her face into "cow pats" and "hurled" the "harder ones" at her. Upon starting her eulogy, she said: "That's so me send-off for my brother, so thank you," before thanking Michael D Higgins, the President of Ireland for attending the mass.
Siobhan added: "It was in Tipperary, our mother's childhood home, that Shane, reunited with the land he loved, found his spiritual home." She continued: "From dad and your little sister, we are so proud of you, our little darling, I whisper farewell to you but only for now," before she burst into tears.
(BBC)Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill delighted mourners as they performed a rendition of Shane's biggest hit, Fairytale of New York for the congregation. Shane's loved ones, relatives, friends and fans all took to the aisles and danced away to the song.
Those who had packed into the church joined in as they sang the world-famous hit. In recent years, the song has been altered to remove a slur from it, with the word 'Maggot' being sung instead. However, O'Neill chose to use the word 'wagon' which is an Irish slang term.
Fans of Shane took to social media to praise the occasion, with one writing: "This is something else. Goosebumps watching Fairytale of New York played @ #ShaneMacGowan funeral." A second added: "Watching Fairytale of New York being played live at Sean MacGowan's funeral. A bloody good send-off in style!" Before another commented: "Watching the priest sing along with Fairytale of New York is sublime!"
One penned: "Absolute goosebumps listening to them playing a live version of Fairytale of New York at Shane MacGowan's funeral. Sat sobbing too. #RIPShaneMacGowan."
Johnny Depp appeared in front of mourners as he read a prayer. The Hollywood actor read Peace, Love & Forgiveness as the Prayers of The Faithful.
Music star and philanthropist Sir Bob Geldof was among mourners who read prayers to the congregation.
Drs & Nurses was read by Sarah Leahy, while Jess Ryan read Homeless. Zakiti Dlamini read People Suffering Addiction, while Orla Clarke read The Natural World. Irish musician Liam Ó Maonlaí read Immigrants & The Displaced as Sir Bob Geldof touched on Poverty & Hunger.
Australian singer Nick Cave sang A Rainy Night in Soho during Shane's funeral.
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp waved to the crowds outside Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
The Pirates Of The Caribbean star was a friend of Shane's and also attended his wedding to Victoria May Clarke. He wore a black suit and scarf paired with dark sunglasses.
Victoria Mary Clarke took to the stage duing the funeral service to present gifts.
She showed a selection of belongings and explained their meaning. The gifts included a vinyl copy of the album Led Zepplin II, a Gaelic football shirt and a copy of the Crock of Gold book. A collection of handwritten lyrics and unpublished writing by The Pogues singer was also shared with the church.
Former Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams was the first to deliver a reading at Shane's funeral.
He said he was asked to give the reading by the singer's wife Victoria Mary Clarke. After finishing his reading, he left to a huge applause before heading back to his seat. Gerry has previously revealed he had visited Shane and his wife just a week before his death as he paid tribute to the late singer online, remembering Shane as "a great patriot, a poet and friend of the down trodden and marginalised."
Shane MacGowan's order of service (BBC)The order of service for Shane's funeral has been shared online, outlining how the service will run.
Taking place at St Mary of the Rosary in Co Tipperary, the service features music from Imelda May who will perform You're The One. There will then be multiple readings. The Prayers of the Faithful sees Johnny Depp and Bob Geldof pay their respect to Shane among others.
Music will follow along with prayer and a eulogy from sister Siobhan MacGowan and Shane's wife Victoria Mary Clarke. More music will be played, followed by the exit music marking the end of the service
Johnny Depp arrived for Shane MacGowan's funeral (PA)Celebrities including Hollywood actor Johnny Depp and singer Nick Cave among the stars attending Shane's funeral at St Mary of the Rosary in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Depp and Bono are set to take part in the funeral service held this afternoon. The U2 frontman is expected to give a reading, while the Pirates of the Caribbean actor and Sir Bob Geldof will deliver some of the Prayers of the Faithful. There will also be performances from Nick Cave, Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill, Imelda May and Declan O'Rourke as well as some of his Pogues bandmates.
Former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams is also set to do a reading during the ceremony. He described Shane as a "great patriot, a poet and friend of the downtrodden and marginalised". Lead singer of the Hothouse Flowers Liam Ó Maonlaí is doing a Prayer of the Faithful.
Earlier this week details of Shane's funeral were shared, revealing a mass would take place at St Mary of the Rosary Church, in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary today.
The mass will be open to the public and is held in the same chapel where his beloved mother Therese MacGowan’s funeral was held. High-profile guests such as President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and close friends including Johnny Depp and U2 singer Bono are expected to attend. Members of the public are also welcome to come and share in their ‘great memories’ of Shane.
Click here for the full details of Shane's funeral, taking place today.
Victoria took to her social media to wish Sinéad O'Connor a happy birthday on what would have been her 57th birthday.
Sinéad died in July this year. Shane's widow reposted a photo originally shared by singer Imelda May. In the snap, Victoria, Imelda and Sinéad stood next to each other as they celebrated Shane's 60th birthday.
The post read: "Happy Birthday Sinead. We send Shane off to join you today. What a day for Ireland. How blessed we were to have had such giants in our midst. Myself and Sinead and my darling @victoriamaryclarke at @shanemacgowanofficial 60th celebration (and the day we lost Dolores) All my love to Sineads and Shane’s families today. Grá Mór."
Victoria Mary Clarke says she feared for late husband Shane MacGowan's health for decades before his sad death (X/Twitter)Shane's widow, Victoria, took to social media to thank the Irish police force for managing the crowd of mourners in Dublin on Friday morning.
Hundreds gathered to pay their respects, with many singing and dancing to The Pogues' hit songs such as Fairytale of New York and Dirty Old Town, while the cortege made its way through Dublin.
Now that the procession has ended, Shane's coffin is making its final journey to his funeral in Co Tipperary.
Journalist Victoria wrote on Twitter: “Thank you so much @GardaTraffic for your help today and for the escort for @ShaneMacGowan.”
Shane's coffin is taking its final journey after an emotional procession in Dublin.
The coffin is moving to Nenagh in County Tipperary, where the funeral mass is taking place in the afternoon. He lived there until he was six years old. It's a two-hour journey to the town.
A mass, which will be open to the public, is taking place in Nenagh, his family’s homeplace, where his father Maurice and sister Siobhan are still thought to live. The service will be held in St Mary of the Rosary Church, the same chapel where his beloved mother Therese MacGowan’s funeral was held.
(PA)Shane's widow Victoria Mary Clarke kept positive as she smiled for the camera from the car she was sitting in.
The black vehicle followed the horse-drawn carriage closely behind as it made its way through the streets.
Victoria and Shane tied the knot in November 2018, after a decades-long relationship and subsequent 11-year engagement. The two married in Copenhagen and lived in Dublin.
Crowds on Westland Row sing Dirty Old Town as they await Shane MacGowan funeral procession. @PA pic.twitter.com/HKpVYCWnnY
— David Young (@DavidYoungPA) December 8, 2023
While some mourners played Fairytale of New York through speakers, others sang along to another hit from The Pogues - Dirty Old Town.
Mourners sang the song as they waited for the procession to pass through Westland Row.
Musicians also gathered in central Dublin to play the hit song as everyone paid their respects while dancing and singing in memory of the late star.
And now, The Artane Band leading the procession started playing Fairytale Of New York.
(PA)The funeral procession is moving across McMahon Bridge towards Pearse Street. His remains are being carried in a horse-drawn carriage. The Pogues singer's coffin is adorned with an Irish flag as it travels to its destination.
A black-and-white picture of Shane as a young man is placed in the window.
Hundreds of fans have lined the streets as they follow the procession and pay their respects.
(PA)Lord Mayor of Dublin Daithí de Róiste has set up a Book of Condolence for the people of Dublin to pay their respects to the family of The Pogues singer. An online version has also been set up.
The Lord Mayor said: "On behalf of the people of Dublin I would like to express my condolences to Shane MacGowan’s family and many friends. I knew he had been very ill but today’s news still came as a shock, as I’m sure it did to many of us. It is especially poignant that the writer of one of the most universally loved Christmas songs has passed away at this time of year.
"Shane was truly a one-off and his loss will be felt by people right across this city and indeed the entire country. I have opened a book of condolence in the Mansion House for people who would like to leave a message for Shane’s family in person.
"The Mansion House will be open for people to pay their respects from 2pm-5pm today, and Friday and Saturday between 11am and 5pm. Rest in Peace Shane and thanks for the music."
People can sign the book here.
Shane MacGowan's wife Victoria Mary Clarke has said her heart is 'bursting with love' over the huge expected turnout at the star's funeral today.
She shared a picture of herself and her late husband on Instagram, who died at the age of 65, and said she found it 'incredible' that so many were set to make the effort to pay their respects to the Fairytale of New York star.
She wrote: "Tomorrow is Shane’s funeral which is hard to believe and probably I won’t believe it for a while. Shane hated funerals and he refused to go to them with a few rare exceptions.
"So it’s incredible to think that so many people want to come to his and that so many beautiful people are pouring their hearts and souls into making it magnificent and magical and memorable for him and for us who are left behind.
"I am feeling my heart bursting open in all directions with the amount of love that is being showered on us and most especially because everyone has their own problems and challenges and everyone has their own loved ones who they need to look after.
"I feel that Shane is with me all the time and that he is feeling intense appreciation and gratitude and that he is still sending love to everyone and maybe in a more powerful way from where he is now.
"I couldn’t have possibly asked for a more precious and enduring love affair as a human and I got so much from my relationship with Shane that it would be greedy to want more! I would love to say to anyone who is in a relationship with someone who has problems with addiction or anxiety or depression to please get healing and help for yourself, and to take care of yourself and you will find that it gives you the strength to keep going and to be able to enjoy your love.
"And to anyone who is in fear of losing someone just know that millions of angels are watching you and supporting you. And if you don’t want to come to the funeral Shane would definitely understand, he wouldn’t want to go either! But if you want to remember him, the next time you see a homeless person stop and give them your time and your compassion and your respect and treat them like a brother or a sister".
Victoria recently said she spent 35 years worrying about his death as he 'pushed the boundaries so much of what humans can do to their bodies.'
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, she discussed their relationship and how he supported her in all her endeavours. She said: "I loved standing on the side of the stage watching him. It wasn’t always easy, as you will know, because he pushed the boundaries and he was reckless and he was very unconventional.
"So it was like watching a racing driver and not knowing if they were going to crash, watching him going on stage. I think for most of you watching, the biggest fear you probably have is that you’re going to lose a loved one.
"And it’s going to happen, you can’t really get around that, you all are going to lose a loved one. And I know that, for me, I spent many, many years, probably at least 35 years, worrying about losing Shane because he just pushed the boundaries so much of what humans can do to their bodies.
"So I dreaded that, and I thought that I would fall apart, I thought I would die, I thought I would not be able to speak, I thought I’d be comatose or on drugs myself or something like that.
"So I just want you all to know that it’s not as bad as you think it’s going to be. And there’s a huge amount of love that comes your way when you lose someone, that you didn’t really expect. And in my case, you know, I’ve been overwhelmed by how much love and support there is."
