Shane MacGowan
Thousands of fans say goodbye at a funeral procession in Dublin
Shane MacGowan performing in 2014.
© imago/Gonzales Photo
Dublin says goodbye: Thousands of fans flocked to the streets on Friday to say goodbye to The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.
According to media reports, MacGowan’s coffin was pulled through the capital by four horses on a carriage and was covered with an Irish flag. An old black and white photo on the carriage shows the musician as a young man with a cigarette in his hand. The funeral procession was led by the traditional Irish band Artane in their blue uniforms.
Private funeral and public memorial service for Shane MacGowan
Then the coffin according to BBC Drove in a hearse to the town of Nnagh, around 160 kilometers away, where MacGowan spent a lot of time as a child. The musician’s funeral will begin at 3:30 p.m. (local time) at the local church of St. Marys of the Rosary.
In addition to family and friends, numerous Irish politicians and big names from the music industry are expected at the ceremony, including U2 frontman Bono (63), musician Nick Cave (66) and actor Johnny Depp (60). After the private funeral in a small circle, there will be a public memorial service.
Widow Victoria Mary Clarke is touched
Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke (57) had the singer’s death on Instagram announced. Opposite the “New York Times” she explained that her husband had died of pneumonia. He had been suffering from the disease encephalitis, which affects the nervous system, for several years.
The day before his funeral, she reflects on Instagram: “Tomorrow is Shane’s funeral, it’s hard to believe and I probably won’t believe it for a while. (…) It’s incredible that so many people want to come to his funeral and that so many wonderful people put their hearts and dedicate your soul to making it great, magical and unforgettable.”