Shane MacGowan's funeral: Pogues frontman described as poet and trailblazer
Shane MacGowan has been described as a poet, lyricist, singer and trailblazer at his funeral ceremony in County Tipperary.
Hollywood star Johnny Depp and U2 frontman Bono were among those who participated in the service for The Pogues singer, who died at the age of 65 last week.
Also in attendance at Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh were Nick Cave, actor Aidan Gillen, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and Irish president Michael D Higgins.
MacGowan’s coffin was brought to the front of the church draped in an Irish tricolour flag.
During the mass service, Father Pat Gilbert said MacGowan had given the Irish “hope and heart and hankering” through his music.
Delivering the homily, Fr Gilbert said: “I grew up listening to the music of Lizzy, the Horslips, the Rats, the Undertones and The Pogues. As teenagers the music and the lyrics alerted us to what was happening around us. There was also the pride of being Irish, what they could say, sing and share was right and reasoned as far as we were concerned.
“In fact, Shane and the Pogues made it international and cool to play the tin whistle, banjo or accordion.”
He added: “As teenagers, not being able to verbalise our uneasiness, displeasure, our uncomfortable assessment of what was happening all around us, we found an outlet, a channel, a conduit in the music and lyric of the day.
“In the words of Dickens, ‘It was the best of times and the worst of times’. But the music and the lyric were tremendous, and Shane was the master of them all.
“As Brendan Behan did in prose, Shane MacGowan did in poetry. The raw vibrant energetic earthy soul-filled expression gave us hope and heart and hankering.”
Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan's wife, presented symbols of her late husband during the funeral mass which included a copy of a Johnny Depp album who 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, Co Tipperary.
Earlier, mourners lined the streets of Dublin to say an emotional goodbye to MacGowan at a public procession through the Irish capital.
A horse-drawn carriage pulling the coffin of the late Macgowan set off from Shelbourne Park Stadium on Friday morning and made its way through the streets of Dublin for a funeral procession, before arriving at the church in Co Tipperary.
MacGowan's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, “thanked” the Irish police force for helping to manage the crowd of fans in Dublin.
The journalist wrote on Twitter: “Thank you so much @GardaTraffic for your help today and for the escort for @ShaneMacGowan.”
She followed the funeral procession in a car and was pictured in a black dress in the back seat of the vehicle.
The funeral procession was held in Dublin, with thousands lining the streets
The Pogue's Christmas anthem, Fairytale of New York, played from speakers as fans clapped along, celebrating the life and legacy of the singer.
Among those who turned out to pay their respects was 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.”
Josie Feeney from Co Leitrim travelled to Dublin to pay her respects.
She said: “My father’s family were from Tipperary, my grandmother was from Nenagh.
“We don’t always know all the lyrics but this week we know more of Shane’s lyrics, they are really very moving, they are poetry. He was a genius.
“His legacy will live on forever. Bruce Springsteen said in 100 years’ time we will be singing the words of his songs.”
Following the funeral mass, the public also had the opportunity to pay their respects as the funeral cortege moved through Nenagh town centre from Church Road to Market Cross.
MacGowan was born to Irish parents in 1957 in Pembury, Kent, and he soon moved to rural Tipperary where he was immersed in a culture of ceili bands and showbands.
The Pogues frontman, best known for the hit festive song Fairytale Of New York, died “peacefully” at 3am on 30 November with his wife and family by his side, a statement from his relatives said.
He was due to celebrate his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.
Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know.