Shane MacGowan: Thousands of fans at the funeral procession before the funeral

Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Dublin this Friday (December 8th) to say goodbye to Shane MacGowan (1957-2023). The frontman of the Irish band The Pogues, who became famous as the songwriter of the Christmas song “Fairytale Of New York”, died on November 30th at the age of 65.

According to media reports, MacGowan’s coffin was pulled through the capital on a carriage by four horses and was covered with an Irish flag. An old black and white photo on the carriage shows the musician as a young man with a cigarette in his hand. The funeral procession was led by the traditional Irish band Artane in their blue uniforms.

Private funeral and public memorial service for Shane MacGowan

The coffin is then driven in a hearse to the town of Nnagh, around 160 kilometers away, where MacGowan spent a lot of time as a child. The musician’s funeral will begin at 3:30 p.m. (local time) at the local church of St. Marys of the Rosary.

In addition to family and friends, numerous Irish politicians and big names from the music industry are expected at the ceremony, including U2 frontman Bono (63), musician Nick Cave (66) and actor Johnny Depp (60). After the private funeral in a small circle, there will be a public memorial service.

Widow Victoria Mary Clarke is touched

Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke (57) announced the singer’s death. she explained that her husband had died of pneumonia. He had been suffering from the disease encephalitis, which affects the nervous system, for several years.

The day before his funeral, she reflects: “Tomorrow is Shane’s funeral, it’s hard to believe and I probably won’t believe it for a while. (…) It’s incredible that so many people want to come to his funeral and that so many wonderful people pouring their hearts and souls into making it amazing, magical and unforgettable.”