It was standing room only at the joyous funeral services today commemorating the life and music of The Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan.
Hundreds of people packed the historic Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland with music, eulogies and prayer to celebrate the life of one of Ireland’s most famous sons.
Earlier in the day, a funeral procession through the streets of Dublin was attended by thousands of well-wishers. MacGowan lived in Dublin, but his funeral was held 100 miles away in Nenagh where he spent part of his childhood.
Among the parishoners at the Mass in Negagh were his family, members of the Pogues, the president of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, and fellow musicians and friends Bono (U2), Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, and Bob Geldof. Actor Aidan Gillen and former Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams were also in attendance.
Not surprisingly, music played a big part of the ceremonies. Irish singers Mundy and Camille O’Sullivan sang “Haunted” – a duet that MacGowan recorded with the late Sinead O’Connor.
Nick Cave performed one of MacGowan’s best known songs, “A Rainy Night in Soho” and Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam Ó Maonlaí along with Imelda May performed MacGowan’s ballad, “You’re The One.”
MacGowan’s widow, Victoria Mary Clarke, gave a witty and introspective eulogy of the eccentric musician, relaying stories of his complex personality that included an oversized appetite for music and art, religion and spirituality, love and compassion, and drugs and alcohol.
As one of the most celebrated Irish musicians of his generation, MacGowan made his mark on the global music scene with his unique fusion of Irish music and punk rock.
MacGowan is best known for classics such as the Christmas-favorite, “Fairytale of New York,” “Dirty Old Town,” “Sally MacLennane,” “Pair of Brown Eyes,” “Love You Till The Very End,” among many others.
MacGowan, who was 65 years old, died on November 30th after a bought of pneumonia. He had suffered from a number of health issues in recent years, and was recently hospitalized for treatment of encephalitis.