Victoria Mary Clarke, wife of late lead singer Shane MacGowan, is consoled by her brother-in-law, Anthony Hayes ,at St Mary of the Rosary Church, Nenagh. Photo: Pádraig Ó Flannabhra - Photoart

A send-off like no other for Shane

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Nenagh came to a standstill on Friday as family, friends and fans said their final goodbyes to the inspirational leader of The Pogues, Shane MacGowan.

At the Funeral Mass at St Mary of the Rosary Church, Shane was described as a poet, lyricist, singer and trailblazer while his sister Siobhan said he "lit a fire that burns in Ireland and across the world".

Among the attendance were Hollywood star Johnny Depp, President of Ireland Michael D Higgins, Nick Cave, actor Aidan Gillen and former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

Musicians and singers John Sheehan, Glen Hansard and George Murphy pay tribute to Shane MacGowan at the Funeral Mass in Nenagh. Photo: Pádraig Ó Flannabhra - Photoart

The funeral featured an uplifting performance of ‘Fairytale of New York’, which has returned to the top of the Irish charts, 36 years after it did so on its initial release.

Full coverage in next Wednesday’s Guardian

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