Shane MacGowan’s widow carries on dancing into the night as 300 guests including Johnny Depp and Nick Cave attend wake for legendary singer in modest thatched-roof pub
Shane McGowan’s widow continued to dance all night at her husband’s wake, held in a modest thatched pub.
Dozens of security guards dressed in black guarded the modest ceremony site as Johnny Depp and Nick Cave joined Victoria Mary Clarke and other mourners at the gathering.
Around 300 guests flocked to the venue with pints of Guinness and cocktails in memory of The Pogue singer.
Earlier today at the funeral of the legendary rockers, Victoria, 58, danced around her husband’s coffin with other family members as McGowan’s musical celebration continued late into the night.
A source told MailOnline: “Victoria wanted her farewell to Shane to be a good old fashioned Irish hooligan.” She knew there would be tears later, but she just wanted to celebrate.
“It’s all about laughter, hugs and raising a glass or ten in Shane’s honor. Tomorrow morning there will be a lot of pain.
Shane McGowan’s widow continued to dance all night at her husband’s wake, held in a modest thatched pub. Pictured: Arriving at his funeral this morning.
Earlier today Ms Clarke was pictured mourning as her late husband’s coffin was carried into the church.
Nick Cave arrived for Shane MacGowan’s funeral at St Mary’s Church in the Rose Garden today.
Hollywood star Johnny Depp arrived at Shane MacGowan’s funeral on Friday afternoon.
The Pogues frontman died last week at the age of 65 after a battle with pneumonia.
Depp promised to keep in touch with Victoria, despite the death of his beloved friend. And tight security surrounded him as he slipped into the party.
A Celtic band performed traditional Irish music tonight as Bally Common turned into Hollywood with dozens of Headphone-wearing Men in Black blocking the path of uninvited guests.
Celebrity guests included Hot House flowers’ Liam O’Manlay, The Dubliners’ John Sheehan, Oscar-winning singer Glen Hansard and singer Imelda May.
The Thatched Cottage serves delicious food and cocktails. The menu includes monkfish, Irish steaks and spicy curry.
Earlier today, tens of thousands of mourners gathered along roads between Nenagh, Tipperary, and Dublin to bid farewell to the legendary punk rocker.
Fans tried to touch the coffin, draped in the Irish tricolor, as it was pulled by a horse and carriage. Others threw flowers or raised a pint of Guinness to the Pogue frontman.
McGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke was in tears as she knelt over her partner’s coffin outside St Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
He was then carried by six pallbearers, including Depp, into the church for the service, where a variety of songs were played, including “Haunted by The Pogues.”
The couple were together for many years and got married in 2018, having known each other since they were 16 years old.
McGowan died just days after being released from hospital due to a brain condition, with his wife Victoria sharing a photo of him in his hospital bed.
Depp was among those who carried the coffin from St. Mary’s to the church.
Paying tribute to him at his funeral, she said his death “took us all by surprise” as she kept “thinking he had come home.”
A church in Co Tipperary was packed with mourners after McGowan’s coffin traveled 99 miles from Dublin.
Depp, who was a long-time friend of McGowan’s and attended his wedding in 2018, was joined by Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlaigh as they read prayers from the faithful during this afternoon’s service.
Australian singer Cave sang “Rainy Night in Soho” during the send-off. Imelda May, who was a frequent guest of McGowan’s in his final days, Liam Ó Maonlai and Declan O’Rourke then performed You’re The One.
Opening the service, father Pat Gilbert spoke of the care Victoria provided for her husband until his death last week.
He died at the age of 65 after a battle with pneumonia. He had been released from the hospital just a week earlier. after undergoing treatment for viral encephalitis, a condition that causes swelling of the brain.
Fr Gilbert said: “Born on the birthday of Jesus and died on the same days as Oscar Wilde and Patrick Kavanagh, and his funeral mass is today on this great feast day in honor of the birthdays of Mary and Sinead (O’Connor). Something about it all feels right.
He added: “I know he adored you, Victoria, and you adored him, and you were so loving, supportive and kind throughout your entire life together. You carried him, cared for him and caressed him until the very end.
“And I am also aware of the strong bonds of love and affection that unite you as a family of Maurice, Siobhan and Anthony. I know you will all miss Shane terribly.
Hundreds of people took to the streets to bid farewell to Pogues star Shane MacGowan.
A photograph of late Irish singer Shane MacGowan is displayed on the day of his funeral procession in Tipperary, Ireland.
The hearse carrying McGowan’s coffin passes through Nenagh, County Tipperary, after the service.
“A voice, a presence around you and with you suddenly becomes silent – and coping with this loss is always difficult.”
During her eulogy, McGowan’s widow said her partner, whom she had dated on and off since she was 16, “told everyone how much he loved them” in his final days.
An Irish journalist said McGowan’s death “took us all by surprise” as everyone “thought he had come home”.
She said she “fell deeply in love with him” recalling how they first met, adding that she “felt like I’d won the lottery.” Ms Clarke added: “It would actually be greedy to want more than we have.” We got so much. Of course I will miss him.
“I was devastated, I cried and cried and cried, but at the same time, by crying, I think you can feel that my heart has become bigger – it has become so much bigger as a result of our relationship, and I feel like it will never come back back”.
Ms Clark surprised parishioners by telling mourners that 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.
She looked at Depp before telling mourners how her late husband “convinced” 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 talk with you, didn’t he, and urged you to forgive Amber. ‘
Shane McGowan’s wife arrives at St Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Service readers are revealed in order of service
Shane MacGowan pictured with his sister Siobhan, who paid tribute to him at his funeral today.
The church was filled with McGowan’s valuables. Among them were a copy of Buddha, a Led Zeppelin record, a DVD copy of The Godfather, and a Tipperary flag.
The book The Shard of God, a James Joyce novel and a throwing stick were also among McGowan’s prized possessions on display.
McGowan’s younger sister, Siobhan McGowan, also spoke from the altar.
She said: “So Shane, you have done what you said you would do in those old days in Tipperary. And you did it with such heart and fire.
“A fire that will not be dimmed by death, for you have lit this fire and it now burns in Ireland and throughout the world.
“So, Shane, in the words of Dad and I, your little sister and your father: We are so proud of you, so proud of you, our dear.”
Her voice broke as she quoted her brother: “When the sunset met the evening on the hill, I told you that I would always love you, always have, and always will.”