After months of battling encephalitis, he is finally allowed to return home.
Pogues singer Shane MacGowan was able to leave St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin in time for his birthday on December 25th. The happy news was announced by his wife Victoria Mary Clarke, who posted regular health updates on the singer during his months-long stay in hospital. She is looking forward to a Christmas together in her own home.
A long battle against viral encephalitis
For months, the 65-year-old Irishman battled a rare and potentially life-threatening disease at St. Vincent’s Hospital. He suffers from viral encephalitis, which causes the brain to swell. The singer’s developments were regularly documented by Clarke, including an encouraging picture of MacGowan in hospital bed, smiling and wrapped up warm.
In the emotional Twitter post, Clarke thanked the doctors, nurses and entire staff at St. Vincent’s Hospital for their profound and ongoing help. She paid special tribute to Tom Creagh and Brian Corscadden for their support. She also shared that MacGowan was visited by his Pogues bandmates in the hospital, which certainly helped his recovery.
“Shane has been released from the hospital,” Clarke proudly announced on Twitter. “We are deeply and forever grateful to all the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Vincent’s – it’s the best! And special thanks to Tom Creagh and Brian Corscadden for their help”.
Musical support at the bedside
MacGowan received musical support not only from his bandmates, but also from singer Imelda May, who visited the artist’s bedside in August. Clarke tweeted enthusiastically about MacGowan’s joy at seeing May and shared a heartwarming picture of the two in a warm embrace. The singer’s wife also thanked fans for their well-wishes and expressed hope that MacGowan could return home in time for the holidays: “Shane is feeling much better today,” she wrote. “I’m so grateful to everyone who wishes him to come home for Christmas.”