Moment Shane MacGowan’s family dance in the aisles to The Pogues’ Christmas classic Fairytale of New York at the singer’s funeral
This is the bittersweet moment Shane MacGowan’s family danced down the aisles to The Fairytale of New York as they bid a final goodbye to the legendary Irishman at his funeral today.
Loved ones of The Pogues’ frontman were captured cradling each other as they swayed, sang and smiled along to a live performance of the Christmas classic as the long day of emotional tributes to the beloved rocker came to an end.
More than 30,000 mourners had gathered on the streets of Dublin this morning, singing and dancing, as the funeral procession made its way through the capital. Some threw flowers at his coffin while others raised a pint of Guinness in tribute.
MacGowan’s widow, Victoria Mary Clarke, was seen in tears as the coffin – draped in an Irish flag – was brought into Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
The singer died last week at the age of 65, following a battle with pneumonia. The singer had been discharged from hospital over a week before after undergoing treatment for viral encephalitis, a condition in which swelling develops on the brain.
Shane MacGowan’s family danced down the aisles to The Fairytale of New York as they bid goodbye to the beloved musician
Irish singer Glen Hansard (far right) led a group of musicians as they played out the Christmas classic
Hundreds of people have lined the streets to say farewell to Pogues star Shane MacGowan
Wife of Shane MacGowan, Victoria Mary Clarke is pictured grieving as her late husband’s coffin is carried into the church
Johnny Depp was seen placing his hand on the coffin, as he said a final goodbye to his friend
The star-studded send off began with an emotional tribute from Nick Cave, followed by other A-listers such as Johnny Depp and Bob Geldof.
The 60-year-old Pirates Of The Caribbean star was seen on Friday dressed in a black suit, hat along with a scarf and dark sunglasses as he arrived at the church.
Depp, a long-time friend of MacGowan’s who attended his wedding in Copenhagen in 2018, was joined by Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlai as they read the prayers of the faithful during this afternoon’s service.
He was later seen with his hand on MacGowan’s coffin as it left the church, saying his final goodbye.
Throughout her eulogy, MacGowan’s widow surprised the congregation, telling mourners her late husband had urged Depp to forgive his wife Amber Heard, referring to the Hollywood actor’s bitter libel case against his ex-wife.
The Irish journalist looked at Depp before telling the mourners how her late husband ‘urged’ him to forgive Heard.
She said: ‘I hope you don’t mind me saying this Johnny, but when Johnny had a court case involving his ex-wife Amber and Shane had a long conversation with you, didn’t he, and urged you to forgive Amber.
Johnny Depp read the prayers of the faithful at the during this afternoon’s service to honour the Pogues icon
Shane MacGowan’s widow says the singer urged Johnny Depp to forgive his ex-wife Amber Heard (pictured)
Nick Cave, a friend of MacGowan, performed during the Irish Pogues’ star’s funeral
A picture of late Irish singer Shane MacGowan is displayed on the day of his funeral procession, in Tipperary, Ireland
‘He just thought it was the best thing to do, because he believed, genuinely in forgiveness. And I’m sure you have by now – of course you have! Of course you have!’
Ms Clarke went onto say her partner, whom she had been with on-and-off since she was 16, ‘told everybody how much he loved them’ in his final days.
The widower said MacGowan’s death ‘took us all by surprise’ – as everyone ‘thought he’d come home’.
She said she ‘fell in love with his soul’ as she recalled how they first met, adding that she ‘felt like I’d won the lottery’. Ms Clarke added: ‘It would be greedy, really to want more than we got. We got so much. Of course I’m going to miss him.
‘I’ve been devastated and I’ve been crying and crying and crying but at the same time as crying I think it’s possible to feel that my heart has got bigger – it has got so much bigger as a result of our relationship and I feel that it will never go back.’
Amongst those paying emotional tributes was the singer’s younger sister Siobhan MacGowan, who spoke from the alter.
She said: ‘So Shane you did what you said you were going to do on those long-ago days in Tipperary. And you did it with such heart and fire.
The hearse carrying the coffin of MacGowan passes through Nenagh, Co. Tipperary following the service
Crowds gathered on the streets of the city all day, lining the streets for the funeral procession
Depp was among the pallbearers seen carrying the wicker casket out of Saint Mary’s into the church
Depp was one of the six pallbearers who carried MacGowan’s wicker coffin into the church
‘A fire that is not dimmed by death, for you have lit that fire and it burns now in Ireland and all over the world.
‘And so, Shane, with words from Dad and I, your little sister and your father, we are so proud of you, so very proud of you our darling.’
With her voice breaking as she quoted her brother, she added: ‘As a sunset came to meet the evening on the hill, I told you I’d always love you, I always did and I always will.’
Irish President Michael D Higgins was one of the first mourners seen arriving for the funeral mass, being given a front row seat. As Siobhan spoke of her brother receiving a Lifetime Achievement award from the politician, he was seen growing visibly emotional.
Later in the service, Australian singer Cave, 66, sang A Rainy Night in Soho, as part of the send off.
Irish rock legend Bono had been expected to attend MacGowan’s funeral but was unable to do so. Instead, the U2 frontman provided a recorded reading which was played out to the congregation.
During the service, Father Pat Gilbert said MacGowan’s widow Victoria had cared for him until his death.
He told his funeral mass: ‘I know he adored you Victoria and you him, and you were so loving, supportive and kind throughout your lives together. You carried and cared and caressed him right to the very end.
‘And I am also aware of the strong bonds of love and affection that knit you together as a family Maurice, Siobhan and Anthony. I know that you all will miss Shane terribly.
‘A voice, a presence around you and with you, is suddenly silent – and coping with that loss is always difficult.’
He added: ‘Born on the birthday of Jesus and passing on the same days as Oscar Wilde and Patrick Kavanagh, and his funeral celebration mass today on this great feast of Mary and Sinead’s (O’Connor) birthday. Something seems right about all of this.’
