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09 Apr 2026
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The late Shane MacGowan
Just 65 and born on Christmas Day, the legend Shane MacGowan will be celebrated and laid to rest in Nenagh on Friday.
Many readers will have tales of Shane MacGowan in Tipperary, stories of The Pogues in concert, or just belting a song out in a pub on a great night on the town.
And that town could be anywhere in the world, such was the reach of his words.
Music is more than entertainment. It is a soundtrack to life, a political statement, the beginning of a movement for sharing culture or history.
Shane MacGowan never seemed to shy away from that.
The Pogues called the censoring of lyrics in Fairytale of New York “amusing”. In an interview with RTÉ in 1988, MacGowan said he didn’t regret writing Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six despite its ban in the UK.
He wrote what he believed and stood by it. The song was meant to make a difference.
Many people feel like they know celebrities. But many of you did know Shane MacGowan.
He was a Tipp man and he always will be. His late mother was from Carney Commons, and his family still call Tipperary home.
Philly Ryan - whose pub MacGowan frequented - told RTÉ that he was “one of us” and his would be the only music played in the county this Christmas.
65-years-old is too young, but nobody lived like Shane MacGowan.
Over the past week, those who knew him have described him as compassionate, adventurous and fearless.
His wife described him as “vibrant and beautiful”.
His bandmates and friends said on the Late Late Show that despite his antics, he was shy and concerned with making others feel comfortable.
Generations will remember his honest lyrics, complete chaos and his way of not taking the world too seriously.
Younger people will discover punk and The Pogues, and the lyrics will resonate with them in new ways.
Or they will belt out Fairytale of New York every Christmas while out on a town, somewhere in the world.
The locals will join them because they will know every word, just like at home.
We should all hope to leave a legacy so wonderful.
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