“His words have connected Irish people all over the globe to their culture and history.”
Tributes have poured in for Shane MacGowan, who has died at the age of 65, his wife Victoria May Clarke announced on Thursday, November 30.
The Pogues singer, best known for his 1987 song ‘Fairytale of New York’ alongside Kirsty MacColl, had just left hospital last week and had been struggling with health issues for a long time.
His bandmates of The Pogues announced the singer’s passing alongside his wife.
“It is with the deepest sorrow and heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Shane MacGowan,” a statement on the band’s official X page read.
“Shane died peacefully at 3am this morning with his wife Victoria and family by his side. Prayers and the last rites were read which gave comfort to his family.”
— The Pogues (@poguesofficial) November 30, 2023
Tributes flood in for Shane MacGowan following singer’s passing
Tributes were quick to flood in following the announcement of MacGowan’s death, with many from the music industry and beyond weighing in on the impact the singer had on millions.
President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins was among the first to pay tribute to the iconic musician, saying he it was “with great sadness” that he learned of his death.
“Shane will be remembered as one of music’s greatest lyricists. So many of his songs would be perfectly crafted poems, if that would not have deprived us of the opportunity to hear him sing them.
“The genius of Shane’s contribution includes the fact that his songs capture within them, as Shane would put it, the measure of our dreams – of so many worlds, and particularly those of love, of the emigrant experience and of facing the challenges of that experience with authenticity and courage, and of living and seeing the sides of life that so many turn away from.”
Statement by President Higgins on the death of Shane MacGowan https://t.co/gHiCNjxwzE pic.twitter.com/C8x5IRIUpO
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) November 30, 2023
Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams revealed that he had visited Shane on Monday, just a few days before his death.
“Ireland has lost a great patriot, a poet and friend of the down trodden and marginalised.”
I am really sorry to hear of death of Shane Magowan. RG & I were with him and Victoria last Wednesday. Ireland has lost a great patriot, a poet and friend of the down trodden and marginalised. pic.twitter.com/Z3QmlK7aNN
— Gerry Adams (@GerryAdamsSF) November 30, 2023
British journalist Tony Parsons recalled when he first saw MacGowan, summing up the man perfectly.
“I remember Shane MacGowan when he was in his mid-teens and coming down the Roxy in Covent Garden to bang on unattended drums in his Union jack jacket.” he tweeted.
“A crazy kid with a dream who grew into one of the greatest talents these islands have ever know. A creative giant. Sleep well, Shane and see you at number one for Christmas.”
I remember Shane MacGowan when he was in his mid-teens and coming down the Roxy in Covent Garden to bang on unattended drums in his Union jack jacket. A crazy kid with a dream who grew into one of the greatest talents these islands have ever know. A creative giant. Sleep well,… pic.twitter.com/qvUQSUSxZX
— Tony Parsons (@TonyParsonsUK) November 30, 2023
Former Editor of NME and Kerrang James McMahon also led the tributes.
“RIP Shane MacGowan. Gone too soon, but much later than almost anyone expected. You were mental. You were trouble. You were feral. Every dentist’s nightmare. But you sang some of the greatest songs the world has ever known. Rock ‘n’ roll believers will weep until we’re raw today”
RIP Shane MacGowan. Gone too soon, but much later than almost anyone expected. You were mental. You were trouble. You were feral. Every dentist's nightmare. But you sang some of the greatest songs the world has ever known. Rock 'n' roll believers will weep until we're raw today pic.twitter.com/ENl8Ra8W5E
— The James McMahon Music Podcast (@jamesjammcmahon) November 30, 2023
Spider Stacy, Macgowan’s Pogues bandmate had a gorgeous Walt Whitman line in tribute to his friend:
‘O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done..’
‘O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done..’ pic.twitter.com/YnkreXRmYB
— Spider Stacy (@spiderstacy) November 30, 2023
Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney said “Shane was 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.”
https://twitter.com/siobhni/status/1730199525757772262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1730199525757772262%7Ctwgr%5E4c9531dd35d4d8cf98ab1908153673175de24816%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.ie%2Fnews%2Fshane-macgowen-tributes-786937
Mary Lou McDonald also took to socials to pay her respects to the musician.
Ireland has lost one of its greatest and most beloved musical icons.
Shane MacGowan was a poet, dreamer and social justice champion. He was a republican and a proud Irish man.
Nobody told the Irish story like Shane. He sang to us of dreams and captured stories of emigration… pic.twitter.com/CAhaLJrdwu
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) November 30, 2023
This article originally appeared on JOEÂ
Header image via X / President of Ireland
READ ON:
– Lead singer of The Pogues Shane MacGowan has died aged 65
– Lost Mary and Elf Bar to drop their sweet flavoured vape products
– Taylor Swift reigns supreme as Ireland’s most listened to artist according to Spotify Wrapped
