Shane MacGowan funeral celebrates Pogues’ icon’s ‘trailblazer’ life as Johnny Depp attends star-studded service
SHANE MacGowan's funeral is celebrating the legendary Pogues' frontman's life as a 'poet, lyricist, singer and trailblazer'.
Hundreds of mourners gathered at the star-studded funeral service to say their final farewell to the Fairytale of New York icon at the Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Tipperary.
Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, a close friend of Shane's, was among those in attendance along with President Michael D Higgins and former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams.
Depp delivered a reading, while a recording from U2 frontman Bono was played during the mass.
Music stars Nick Cave, Imelda May, and Liam O Maonlai all delivered emotional performances.
Applause interrupted from crowds which formed a guard of honour as the Fairytale of New York singer's hearse made it's way to the church.
In the homily, delivered by Father Pat Gilbert, mourners heard how MacGowan “had a depth and a sincerity that wasn't often picked up by people”.
"Shane participated in Nick Cave’s rendition of the Dylan classic ‘Death is not the end’,” he said, quoting from the song: “For the tree of life is growing, how the spirit never dies and the bright light of salvation shines in dark and empty skies.
"Not the end, not the end, just remember that death is not the end. Not the end, not the end just remember that death is not the end.”
Fr Gilbert told how he 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,” he said.
"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.
"As teenagers, not being able to verbalize 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.’ The music and the lyric were tremendous, and Shane was the master of them all.
"As Brendan Behan did in prose, Shane McGowan did in poetry.
"The raw vibrant energetic earthy soul-filled expression gave us hope and heart and hankering.
"What Seán Ó Riada expressed in the life of liturgy, Shane McGowan expressed in the raw life of living. He connected the cultural, the sociological, the spiritual, the physical and the metaphysical into a coherent translation of what was happening all around us.
"Shane also contributed to a beautiful rendition of ‘Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth’, performing alongside the Catholic tenor trio The Priests, who said that Shane came across as a deeper, richer person who had a depth and a sincerity that wasn't often picked up by people."
Ex-Sinn Fein President Adams delivered the first reading of the service and told how MacGowan’s wife, Victoria, asked him to say a few words in tribute.
He said: “My words are words of gratitude, gratitude for Shane’s genius, for his songs, his creativity and his attitude,” he said, adding how he was grateful for MacGowan’s “celebration of the marginalised, the poor, the exiled and the underdogs."
Adams added that MacGowan “lifted us out of ourselves” and “never gave up”.
This was followed by Imelda May, Liam O Maonlai and Declan O'Rourke performing the song You're The One.
A record by The Pogues and another by Led Zepplin were brought to the altar as symbols of MacGowan’s life.
Other items gifts included a Tipperary flag, a Shannon Rovers jersey and a hurley.
A tray that “Spider bashed over his heading during a Pogues gig” was also brought to the alter, along with some of his favourite books, such as Joyce’s Finnegan’s Wake, and a packet of tea as MacGowan had so many each day of his life.
Singer Nick Cave has performed a moving version of The Pogues hit A Rainy Night in Soho, while Camille O'Sullivan and Mundy did a rendition of the song Haunted.
Following this, actor Aidan Gillen delivered a reading.
Read more on The Sun
A recording of Bono, who could not make the mass, reciting his reading was also played out in the church.
