Shane MacGowan’s funeral: Thousands of Irish people mourn

The Pogues singer will be buried in a private cremation in Nenagh.

Shane MacGowan will be buried on Friday afternoon (December 8). Thousands of mourners, including Irish politicians and many celebrities, are expected to pay their last respects to The Pogues singer.

The tireless singer died last week at the age of 65 after a long illness. After his death, numerous musicians came forward to remember the Irishman’s great songwriting skills. Bruce Springsteen called him one of the greatest. U2 paid tribute to MacGowan with a cover during a Las Vegas concert.

In the town of Nenagh, where a public service and then a private cremation will take place on Friday, the band’s songs have been playing on a loop in public for hours, according to the British Telegraph.

Previously, MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke stated that the cause of the singer’s death was pneumonia. MacGowan had suffered from a number of health problems over the years, most recently being treated in hospital for encephalitis.

Clarke is touched by people’s sympathy: “It’s incredible that so many people want to come to his funeral and that so many wonderful people are putting their hearts and souls into making it great, magical and unforgettable.”

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