Shane MacGowan, the legendary singer of The Pogues, left behind a generous gift for his loved ones before he passed away on November 30. The Irish folk star, who died of pneumonia at the age of 65, had arranged a €10,000 (£8,600) tab for free drinks at a pub in Nenagh, Tipperary, where he invited his friends and family to join him for a farewell party.
The party, which took place on Friday 8 December, followed a grand funeral service that honoured the musician's life and legacy. Shane's funeral began with a procession in Dublin, where he was born, and then moved to Nenagh, where he spent his childhood. Hundreds of mourners, including celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Bob Geldof and Imelda May, paid their respects to the singer, who was known for his distinctive voice and rebellious spirit.
The funeral service featured musical tributes from Shane's fellow artists, such as Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill, who sang The Pogues' 1998 Christmas hit, Fairytale of New York, and Nick Cave, who performed Shane's 1986 song, A Rainy Night in Soho. A recording of U2 frontman Bono reciting a Letter of St Paul's to the Corinthians was also played, and an emotional eulogy was delivered by Shane's partner, Victoria Mary Clarke, who called him "a genius" and "a beautiful soul" as she reflected on his colourful life.
After the funeral, the guests moved on to The Thatched Cottage, a pub in Nenagh, where Shane had booked a private room and a free bar for his farewell party. According to a former drinking companion of Shane, who spoke to The Independent, the singer had made this his "last request" and had handed over €10,000 to the pub owner in advance. The party was exclusive and secure, with 10 bouncers and lanyards required for entry. "It is a beautiful place just outside of town but there is only a limited amount of people allowed," the source said.
The party lasted from 6pm on Friday until sunrise, and was attended by many famous faces, such as Johnny Depp, Primal Scream member Bobby Gillespie and Glen Hansard. Glen reportedly sang Fairytale of New York again for the partygoers, while Johnny Depp played guitar and shared stories about his friendship with Shane. Another gathering was held at Philly's Bar, which is owned by the funeral undertaker and lifelong pal of Shane, Philip ‘Philly’ Ryan.
Shane MacGowan, who was born on Christmas Day in 1957, was one of the most influential and acclaimed singers of Irish folk and punk music. He formed The Pogues in 1982, and wrote and sang many of their classic songs, such as Dirty Old Town, The Irish Rover and Fairytale of New York. He also collaborated with other artists, such as Kirsty MacColl, Sinead O'Connor and Nick Cave. He struggled with alcohol and drug addiction throughout his life, and suffered from various health problems, such as encephalitis and shingles. He was hospitalized in 2022, and was discharged in late November 2023, hoping to spend Christmas at home. However, he died of pneumonia on November 30, leaving behind a legacy of music and memories.
