Crowds are lining the streets of Dublin this morning to pay their respects to Shane MacGowan.
The legendary singer and songwriter’s funeral cortège is making its way through the streets of the capital before travelling on to Tipperary for his funeral later.
The Pogues frontman passed away last week at the ae of 65.
Shane MacGowan’s cortége makes its way through Dublin ahead of his funeral in Nenagh, Co Tipperary this afternoon.
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— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) December 8, 2023
Speaking to Newstalk at the procession this morning, Pogues fan Brian Corr said he travelled all the way from Philadelphia to say his farewells.
“I’m a big fan,” he said. “I’ve seen him about five or six times in London and a bunch of times in Philadelphia,” he said.
“I met my wife at a Pogues concert so it’s been a big part of our lives. It’s quite possible I would have been at a different club that night and wouldn’t have run into her.”
The funeral procession began at St Lotts Road, before heading across MacMahon Bridge and then Pearse Street.
It then made its way through Westland Row and Fenian Street before finishing at Denzille Lane at 11.45am.
Mourners sing Fairytale of New York as they pay their respects to Shane MacGowan ahead of his funeral this afternoon.
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— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) December 8, 2023
The funeral cortège for #ShaneMcGowan has passed through Dublin City ahead of the singer’s funeral mass this afternoon pic.twitter.com/frl1SZ1dzw
— Emma Tyrrell (Ní Riain) (@EmmaNiRiain) December 8, 2023
Matt Snow went to school with MacGowan and told Newstalk what it was like following the Pogues in the early days.
“The Pogues were a group who were making big waves of the live circuit,” he said.
“The shows were wild and exciting. The audience would be totally involved and you would be soaked in beer and sweat.
“They were riotous but jolly and fun.”
There’s a sing song on Westland Row as people wait for #ShaneMcGowan’s funeral cortège to pass pic.twitter.com/9WdBtHvstW
— Emma Tyrrell (Ní Riain) (@EmmaNiRiain) December 8, 2023
The likes of Hollywood actor Johnny Depp, singer Nick Cave and U2 frontman Bono are all expected to attend the funeral.
The funeral mass will be held at St Mary’s of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, County Tipperary at 3.30pm.
Macgowan’s family have said they are “thankful” for the public’s support and by providing people with an opportunity to say goodbye, they hope they are “repaying that loyalty by giving those that loved and admired him a chance to wish him God Speed and say Slán”.
Reporting from Barry Whyte in Dublin city centre.
