Farewell to Irish singing legend

Hannah McNamara

The funeral service for the much loved Shane McGowan took place earlier today in Dublin.

From the early hours of the morning, hundreds of fans lined the streets of Dublin to say one final goodbye to the Irish singing legend.

Beginning at St Lotts Road at roughly 11am, the Artane Band led the procession whilst performing Fairytale of New York in tribute to The Pogues frontman.

There were claps and cheers from all as the horse-drawn carriage with a large Tricolour draped across the back made its way through the streets of Dublin.

The procession travelled from South Lotts Road in Dublin’s southside, across McMahon Bridge towards Pearse Street and on to Westland Row, with hundreds of people lining the streets at each location and following the cortege.

Upon reaching Pearse Street the procession stopped for a rendition of the Christmas classic, Fairytale of the New York.

Flowers were thrown at the hearse carrying Shane and musicians performed a rendition of A Pair of Brown Eyes and Dirty Old Town as the funeral procession approached the end of its journey at Lincoln Place. Strangers joined together in song and dance.

At the end of the procession, Shane's coffin was transferred from the horse-drawn carriage to a car ahead of the service being held in Nenagh.

The funeral Mass, which is open to the public and expecting a huge crowd, will take place in St Mary of the Rosary Church at 3.00pm. For those who can't make it, the mass will also be live streamed.

The songwriter, who found fame as the lead singer of London-Irish punk/folk band The Pogues, died at the age of 65 last week.

Shane had been receiving treatment in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin for several months for an infection. He was discharged from hospital on 22nd November and returned home to spend quality time with his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke.

A statement from The Pogues on behalf of Shane’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke, his sister Siobhan and father Maurice said: “It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan.

“Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning (30 November, 2023) with his wife Victoria and family by his side.

“Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family."

Fans paid to respects to the "Irish icon" on social media as well as at the procession.

Also paying tribute, President Michael D Higgins said Shane MacGowan will be remembered as “one of music’s greatest lyricists”.

In an emotional post to social media Victoria Mary Clarke said: "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."

She added: "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!"