The president, Michael D Higgins, has led Ireland’s tributes to musical legend Shane MacGowan describing the Pogues frontman as one of “music’s greatest lyricists”.
After the singer’s death today at the age of 65, in a statement Higgins compared MacGowan’s songs with “perfectly crafted poems” that captured “the measure of our dreams”.
In a statement, the president, who is also a poet, acknowledged MacGowan’s early musical roots.
“His words have connected Irish people all over the globe to their culture and history, encompassing so many human emotions in the most poetic of ways,” Higgins pointed out. “Shane’s talent was nurtured from a young age by his mother Therese, herself an award winning folk singer in her own right. Therese, who lost her life in such tragic circumstances on New Year’s Day 2017, inspired in Shane the love of Irish music and traditions which resulted in the wonderful music and lyrics which have been a source of such joy for so many people. Born on Christmas Day, there was perhaps some form of destiny which led Shane to writing ‘Fairytale of New York’, the timeless quality of which will surely mean that it will be listened to every Christmas for the next century or more. Likewise songs like ‘Rainy Night in Soho’, ‘A Pair of Brown Eyes’, ‘If I Should Fall from Grace with God’ and so many others will live on far into the years and decades to come.
I think too of ‘Haunted’, and the particular poignancy that both Shane and Sinéad O’Connor have left us in such quick succession.”
His wife Victoria Mary Clarke wrote on Instagram that MacGowan “meant the world to me”.
“I am blessed beyond words to have met him and to have loved him and to have been so endlessly and unconditionally loved by him and to have had so many years of life and love and joy and fun and laughter and so many adventures.
“There’s no way to describe the loss that I am feeling and the longing for just one more of his smiles that lit up my world.”
In an Instagram post featuring a picture of MacGowan smiling with a wine glass and cigarette, Victoria said he had gone to be with “Jesus and Mary, and his beautiful mother Therese”.
“Thank you for your presence in this world, you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music,” she added.
The Pogues co-founder Peter “Spider” Stacy shared a black and white image of MacGowan performing on stage in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
The English musician and singer wrote: “‘O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done..'”
Stacy co-founded The Pogues along with MacGowan, Jem Finer and James Fearnley and appeared on all of their recordings.
On Instagram Irish actress and presenter Siobhán McSweeney described 65-year-old MacGowan as “the voice of London for us Irish.”
“When I was scared about moving here he lured me over with songs about chancers, drinkers, lovers, poets and scoundrels. That’s the place for me ,I thought!
He also taught me how to miss home, whatever that may be. Damn shame, Shane”.
Singer and great friend of Shane Nick Cave said: “A true friend and the greatest songwriter of his generation. A very sad day.”
Former Sex Pistols musician Glen Matlock hailed his late friend a “legend”.
He wrote on Instagram: “A big round of applause for the legend that was Shane McGowan who is now sadly no longer with us. A pleasure to have known you. RIP matey. X
Broadcaster Ryan Tubridy also took to Instagram to share his thoughts.
He said: ‘What a sad day it is today to see Shane MacGowan head off to his eternal reward, as they say.
‘He was a fascinating figure, there’s no doubt about it. I met him a few times in recent years, and he was a divil, actually.’
‘When you think of that tragic trilogy of passing this year, Sinead O’Connor of course and Christy Dignam, and now Shane MacGowan, the country has lost intrinsically important artists who are part of the fabric of who we are.
‘But I will say one thing. Heaven, or wherever they are, just got a hell of a lot more interesting. May he rest in peace.’
A great talent has passed, and for everyone who feels that when they were growing up “A Fairytale of New York” has been the background to their Christmas, today is a sad reminder nothing lasts forever but also that brilliant songs like these live forever, so as long as we are here , we will be enjoying this song.
“Got on a lucky one
Came in eighteen to one
I’ve got a feeling
This year’s for me and you
So happy Christmas
I love you baby
I can see a better time
When all our dreams come true”
RIP Shane… and thank you.
Shane Mc Gowan, December 25th, 1957 – November 30th, 2023.
