Johnny Depp, Bono and Bob Geldof among those to bid farewell to Shane MacGowan at singer's funeral

8 December 2023, 16:00

Johnny Depp is among those to celebrate Shane MacGowan's life at his funeral
Johnny Depp is among those to celebrate Shane MacGowan's life at his funeral. Picture: Alamy/Getty
Kieran Kelly

By Kieran Kelly

Johnny Depp has arrived at Shane MacGowan's funeral to read prayers alongside Bob Geldof and Bono as thousands line the streets to pay tribute to The Pogues singer.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Stars have been flying in from across the world to tribute to the songwriter, including Peaky Blinders and Game of Thrones star Aiden Gillen.

The songwriter, who found fame as the lead singer of London-Irish punk/folk band The Pogues, died last week.

Depp is expected to say a prayer at the funeral, while Bob Geldof and Bono will also read at the service.

As many as 30,000 mourners are believed to have taken to the streets to celebrate his life.

Johnny Depp arrives for the funeral of Shane MacGowan at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Johnny Depp arrives for the funeral of Shane MacGowan at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. Picture: Alamy

His procession travelled by horse-drawn carriage from South Lotts Road in Dublin's southside earlier today, down Pearse Street and onto Westland Row.

Among those who turned out to pay their respects is Aidan Grimes, 60, who described MacGowan as an icon.

He said: "I remember the first time I saw The Pogues in the Hammersmith Odeon in 1985. It is imprinted in my mind forever, just the madness and mayhem, the raucous nature of his singing and the music they were playing.

"Through the years he evolved into a great poet and he will be sadly missed.

The singer died last week aged 65
The singer died last week aged 65. Picture: Alamy
Shane died after a prolongued battle with health issues including a brain condition
Shane died after a prolongued battle with health issues including a brain condition. Picture: Alamy

"I met him in Dublin about 15 years ago and he was a very charming, nice, friendly man. He talked about music and his time in London.

"I thought it was important to pay my respects. He was an icon of Dublin, just like Brendan Behan, Luke Kelly. His music will be listened to in 100 years' time."

Hundreds lined the streets as the procession got under way
Hundreds lined the streets as the procession got under way. Picture: Alamy

Kevin Sexton from Co Fermanagh said MacGowan opened doors for Irish people living in England.

"He made Irish people proud to be Irish at a time in London when it was a very difficult time to be Irish.

"The Troubles were in full tilt. A lot of terrible things happened.

A huge crowd gathers around the funeral cortege
A huge crowd gathers around the funeral cortege. Picture: Alamy

"Shane MacGowan opened doors. He introduced Irish culture and his own unique writing ability and voice and style that opened up a mix of Irish music plus rock plus punk, his whole unique persona transformed into song that enlightened the world."

Read more: Jon Rahm becomes world's highest paid sportsman after joining Saudi-backed LIV golf league in £450m deal

Read more: Prince Harry's libel case over article about his security arrangements must go to trial, judge rules

The Pogues fans line the streets to say goodbye to Shane
The Pogues fans line the streets to say goodbye to Shane. Picture: Alamy

Darragh McColgan from Dublin said MacGowan was a genius.

He added: "To me he was all about culture, the energy of it, it was representative to me of what being Irish is.

"It will be a day we knew was coming but it won't be easy to deal with because of what a big impact he was."

Fans turn out to pay their respects
Fans turn out to pay their respects. Picture: Alamy

MacGowan's public funeral mass, which will be livestreamed, will take place at St Mary's of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, at 3.30pm.

Tribute: Fan John Farrell
Tribute: Fan John Farrell. Picture: Alamy

Irish President Michael D Higgins is expected to attend alongside well-known faces from the world of music.

Father Pat Gilbert told RTE that the funeral would celebrate the spiritual side of MacGowan.

He said: "It's a side of him that's not known but it's a side of him we must celebrate. It's a side that was important to him in the context of his living of his life.

"We will have the rite of reception, we'll have mass and we'll have the rite of final accommodation interspersed with pieces of his music which will be performed by some of his friends.

"I think that's the right thing to do, that's the way to celebrate the man, the faith, the music and the lyric.

"It's the way to celebrate and remember the husband, the brother, the son and the brother-in-law."

Following the funeral mass, the public will also have the opportunity to pay their respects as the funeral cortege moves through Nenagh town centre from Church Road to Market Cross.

A private cremation will follow.

MacGowan was born to Irish parents in 1957 in Pembury, Kent, and he soon moved to rural Tipperary where he was immersed in a culture of ceili bands and showbands.

The Pogues frontman, best known for the hit festive song Fairytale Of New York, died "peacefully" at 3am on November 30 with his wife and family by his side, a statement from his relatives said.

He was due to celebrate his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Amy Dowden said she was ‘heartbroken' as she left this year's Strictly Come Dancing

Amy Dowden says her ‘heart is breaking’ after she confirmed she will not return to Strictly

Anthony Scaramucci said the row between Trump and Labour would blow over

'Anglophile' Trump's row with Starmer will have 'no impact' on wider relations with UK, Anthony Scaramucci says

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the United States'

Nick Ferrari attends his first Trump rally in Pennsylvania as he meets the crowd in 'the poorest city in the US'

Exclusive
Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's "remarkable" foreign policy achievements

Nick Ferrari bumps into Nigel Farage in Pennsylvania as he reflects on Trump's 'near-death' experience

Live
US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls as election day arrives

US Presidential Election 2024 LIVE: Millions of Americans head to the polls in the final race for the White House

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family