Shane MacGowan, the late frontman of The Pogues, was laid to rest at a public mass in Nenagh, Tipperary, on December 8th. Nick Cave and Johnny Depp were among those who paid tribute to the musician.
Crowds gathered in the streets of Dublin ahead of a two-hour procession to Nenagh for a service overseen by Father Pat Gilbert. MacGowan passed away on November 30th after being diagnosed with encephalitis, and his cause of death was later revealed as pneumonia.
The service began with Sinn Féin politician Gerry Adams delivering a reading. He told those in attendance: “My words are gratitude – gratitude for Shane’s genius, for his songs, for his creativity”. Adams also spoke of how MacGowan “deepened our sense of Irishness and our humanity”. The politician also said: “Your music will live forever, you are the measurer of our dreams”.
Game of Thrones actor Aiden Gillen read the first three verses of Revelations Chapter 22. Additionally, three, MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, shared prominent items from her husband’s life, such as the album Led Zeppelin II, a book of his art and lyrics , along with tea bags.
Furthermore, actor Johnny Depp recited a prayer for MacGowan. He read: “May we feel the pain of others, understand their need and reach out to all who suffer in any way with a continuous love that is rooted in faith and peace.”
Mundy and Camille O’Sullivan also teamed up to perform ‘Haunted’, which was recorded by MacGowan with Sinéad O’Connor in 1995. Additionally, Nick Cave delivered a rendition of The Pogues track ‘A Rainy Night In Soho’ on the piano.
Due to touring commitments with U2, Bono could not attend the ceremony but sent a recording of him reading the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, which was played at the service.