Shane MacGowan honored at solemn funeral attended by stars
County Tipperary, Ireland, on Friday, the late Shane MacGowan, lead singer of The Pogues, was commemorated in the presence of notable personalities like Johnny Depp and Nick Cave. The funeral, marking MacGowan's passing at 65, saw heartfelt tributes from various celebrities.
During the service, Johnny Depp, among others, paid homage to MacGowan. He described him as a «maestro,» echoing sentiments shared by attendees, including "Game of Thrones" star Aiden Gillen and former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. The ceremony was interwoven with renditions of MacGowan's music, notably performed by Nick Cave, who delivered «A Rainy Night in Soho.»
Although U2's Bono couldn't attend physically, he honored the singer with a recorded tribute. Earlier that day, Ireland paid its respects publicly as a procession paraded through Dublin's streets. Mourners quietly lined the roads as a horse-drawn carriage, bearing MacGowan's coffin draped in the Irish flag, moved through the city.
The atmosphere was imbued with MacGowan's music, both planned and spontaneous. The procession paused as the Artane Band played his iconic hit, «Fairytale of New York,» drawing the gathered crowd into a heartfelt sing-along. Musicians dispersed throughout the crowd also performed other renowned tracks like «Dirty Old Town» and «A Pair of Brown Eyes» by The Pogues.
Expressing gratitude on Instagram, MacGowan's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, marveled at the outpouring of love: «So many beautiful people are pouring their hearts and souls into making it magnificent and magical and memorable for him and for us who are left behind.» She reflected on MacGowan's aversion to funerals, making the extensive
