Barney Davis
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Thousands of mourners including Irish leaders and the country’s biggest celebrities have gathered to pay their respects to Shane MacGowan, the iconic singer of The Pogues, on Friday.
The irrepressible frontman, known for songs including “Fairytale of New York” and “Pair of Brown Eyes”, died last week aged 65. Songs by the band are already playing on loop in the town of Nenagh, where a public mass will be held on Friday at 3.30pm ahead of a private cremation.
It comes after his widow Victoria Mary Clarke said the cause of Shane’s death was pneumonia. MacGowan had suffered from a number of health issues over the years, and had recently been discharged from hospital in Dublin, where he was being treated for encephalitis.
She posted: “Shane hated funerals and he refused to go to them with a few rare exceptions.
“So it’s incredible to think that so many people want to come to his and that 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.”
Mourners throw flowers towards the horse-drawn carriage as the procession makes its way through Dublin.
Musicians are currently leading the public in a rendition of “Fairytale Of New York” outside Sweny’s pharmacy in central Dublin.
Here’s another view of the Artane Band as they travel down Pearse Street in Dublin.
Irish broadcaster Maïa Dunphy shared footage of the “emotional beginning” of MacGowan’s procession, showing the band of musicians marching through the city.
As they await the procession’s passing, some mourners have gathered to sing “Dirty Old Town”, a Ewan MacColl song made famous by The Pogues in 1985.
WATCH: Thousands line the streets in Dublin for funeral procession
Who is expected to attend the funeral?
Shane MacGowan was well-liked not only by fans, but by his fellow performers across the entertainment industry.
Johnny Depp is expected to attend the service in Tipperary. The actor was a friend of the Pogues frontman and attended his wedding to Victoria Mary Clarke in Copenhagen in 2018.
Bono and Nick Cave were also close friends with the singer, and are expected to attend later today.
Mourners gather in Dublin for funeral procession
A procession for Shane MacGowan will begin in Dublin at 11am, before the funeral mass in Nenagh, Tipperary this afternoon.
Aidan Grimes, 60, is one fan paying respects to MacGowan in the Irish capital, and described the Pogues star as “an icon”.
“I remember the first time I saw The Pogues in the Hammersmith Odeon in 1985,” Grimes told PA. “It is imprinted in my mind forever, just the madness and mayhem, the raucus nature of his singing and the music they were playing. Through the years he evolved into a great poet and he will be sadly missed.
“I met him in Dublin about 15 years ago and he was a very charming, nice, friendly man. He talked about music and his time in London.
“I thought it was important to pay my respects. He was an icon of Dublin, just like Brendan Behan, Luke Kelly. His music will be listened to in 100 years’ time.”
Shane MacGowan’s cause of death revealed as world mourns irrepressible Pogues frontman
Earlier this week, MacGowan’s cause of death was reported as pneumonia.
The Pogues frontman had struggled with ill health for a significant amount of time prior to his death, and was admitted to the hospital for encephalitis last December.
Where will the funeral procession go?
Shane MacGowan’s funeral will take place in Nenagh, Tipperary later today.
Members of the public are expected to line the streets to catch a glimpse of the procession, which will begin at St Lotts Road in Dublin City Centre at 11am.
The procession, reported to involve a horse-drawn carriage as well as the Artane Band and a piper, will then travel through the city across MacMahon Bridge and onto Pearse Street.
It will turn onto Westland Row, onto Fenian Street and conclude at Denzille Lane at approximately 11.45am.
MacGowan’s public funeral mass, which will be live-streamed, will take place at St Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh at 3.30pm.
Irish President Michael D Higgins is expected to attend alongside stars such as Jonny Depp and Nick Cave.
Following the funeral mass, the public will also have the opportunity to pay their respects as the funeral cortege moves through Nenagh town centre from Church Road to Market Cross.
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