Musical magic of MacGowan’s childhood at Kilbarron festival
The legendary music sessions once held in Shane MacGowan’s maternal family home have long been credited with shaping the iconic singer-songwriter’s deep musical roots.
Though such gatherings are now rare in rural Ireland, visitors to The Lynch’s Kitchen Session in Kilbarron on Saturday, September 13, will be treated to a vivid re-enactment of this lost cultural tradition.
A group of local musicians, singers, and dancers will gather on a faithfully recreated kitchen set to perform a carefully curated selection of songs - some locally composed, others drawn directly from the historic sessions that once filled the Lynch household with music and dance.
In the memoir A Drink with Shane MacGowan, The Pogues frontman fondly recalls those formative evenings: “You had music, you had dancing - set dancing on the old kitchen floor - and you had songs,” he said.
“There’d be a constant card game going on around the kitchen table. I’d be put up on the table, and away I went. I started enjoying it after a couple of verses, and by the time I’d finished, I was really enjoying it.”
The one-night-only performance will take place in the village hall, with the audience seated around the kitchen set to evoke the warmth and intimacy of those gatherings. Due to the unique setup, seating is limited to just 100 attendees. Tickets can be pre-booked via Eventbrite by searching The Lynch’s Kitchen Session.
AUCTION OF SHANE MEMORABILIA
In conjunction with the festival, an auction of two unique pieces of Shane MacGowan memorabilia are available to bid for online now, in aid of the Capuchin Day Centre, Dublin.
Donated by Shane’s sister, Siobhan MacGowan, the first is an enlarged replica of the, much sought after, official Shane MacGowan Worldwide stamp which was issued as part of the An Post Iconic Irish Voices series, 2024. Mounted on sturdy foam board, the stamp replica was used by An Post for promotional purposes and measures 16’’x16’’.
The stamp replicas were displayed at the series’ official launch at An Post HQ on September 11, 2024. They have never been available commercially and this one is part of Siobhan MacGowan’s personal collection.
The stamp will be accompanied by a personal note to the winner from Siobhan MacGowan.
Siobhan says of the stamp: “The release of this stamp meant so much to me and my family. The fact that Shane was one of those chosen by the Government to represent the State on a worldwide stamp was such a huge honour.”
ARTWORK
The second item for auction is a unique piece of delicate hand-embroidered artwork inspired by Shane’s song, The Sickbed of Cuchulainn, kindly donated by New Orleans-based embroidery artist Maggie Donovan, the creative force behind Curious Adornments. Of Irish heritage, Maggie’s beautiful embroidery is inspired by history, folklore, poetry, and song.
Maggie says of the piece: “Shane’s lyrical genius has inspired many of my works over the years. This piece I’ve donated is the fifth and final instalment in my Ode to Shane MacGowan collection, which I began shortly after his passing.
It was my way of expressing deep gratitude for his artistry and honouring his rare and remarkable presence in this world.”
The embroidery will also be accompanied by a personal note to the winner from Siobhan MacGowan, on how she feels the piece speaks to her brother’s song.
Aid for HOMELESS
All proceeds from the auction will go to the Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin to assist their vital daily services to the homeless and those in need.
Their mission was a cause close to Shane’s heart and remains one dear to the MacGowan family.
These rare, collectors’ items will be displayed at the Broad Majestic Shannon Festival in the exhibition hall on Sunday, September 14 from 2-6pm. The auction is open now and bids will only be taken online.
Items can be viewed and bid for at: http://bmsfc.betterworld.org/auctions/broad-majestic-shannon-fest-cele
The link can also be found on Facebook @Broad Majestic Shannon Festival, in the featured auction post.
The auction will close on Monday, September 15, at 12 noon. The bids are being taken in US Dollars as Maggie Donovan is kindly running the auction. For those who might not want to bid, there is a donate-only option. All donations made in Shane’s name will be given by the MacGowan family to the Capuchin Day Centre on the donators’ behalf and in Shane’s memory.