Tributes poured in for Shane MacGowan who was remembered as a “punk” and a “poet” in the wake of his death at the age of 65.
Ryan Tubridy, who interviewed The Pogues rocker when he appeared on The Late Late Show, was among the first on social media to pay his respects. He recalled the “tragic trilogy” of Irish stars who died this year – Sinead O’Connor, Christy Dignam and now Shane.
Tubridy wrote: “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. I met him a few times in recent years and he was a devil, actually.
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“And a great companion of course to Victoria Mary Clarke who I’m really thinking of most today, as well as Shane’s extended family. 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.
“Heaven, or wherever they are, just got a hell of a lot more interesting. May he rest in peace.”
TV and radio host Piers Morgan led the campaign to make Fairytale of New York No1 this Christmas. He wrote: “RIP Shane Irish punk legend, genius Pogues singer/songwriter, and hell-raiser extraordinaire.
His favourite joke was, ‘I was given six weeks to live, about 25 years ago’. Let’s make Fairytale of New York the Christmas No1 as a tribute. (He was born on Xmas Day).”
Fairytale Of New York spent five weeks at Number 1 in the Irish charts, when it was released in 1987 but it never secured the festive top spot in the UK charts. Elsewhere, Pogues bandmate Peter “Spider” Stacy shared an image of him performing on a stage.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Stacy wrote: “O Captain! My Captain! Our fearful trip is done.’” Stacy co-founded The Pogues along with MacGowan, Jem Finer and James Fearnley and performed on all of their recordings.
Paying his respects, rock star Nick Cave: “A true friend and the greatest songwriter of his generation. A very sad day.” On Instagram, TV presenter Dermot O’Leary wrote: “The smile, the snarl, the beauty, the heartbreak, the longing, all under the waves of punkish, rage, fervour and passion.
“Feelings of grief for someone you’ve never met but whose art and work mean so much to you and have played an elemental part in shaping your identity are strange, muted.”
Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney tweeted: “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. Damn shame, Shane.”
Musician Philip King said MacGowan was “unique, vital and profoundly important to the story of Irish music”. He told RTE News at One: “It was very natural when you got Ronnie Drew and Shane MacGowan into a room together to sing that really powerful version of the Irish Rover.
“He was a game changer. He was a change agent for Irish music. Any observer of what’s happening with Irish music now, when you listen to Lankum, who are filling very large venues all over the world, and you listen to the Mary Wallopers, Ye Vagabonds.
“None of it would be happening without the real influence of Shane MacGowan.” He added “heartbreak” joined Mr MacGowan and the late Sinead O’Connor to create haunted music.
Philip said: “She looked after him, she advised him and helped him. After the recent tragedy of her own death, he was very vocal in saying what a powerful, emotional person she was.”
Clannad star Moya Brennan recalled the first time she witnessed Shane performing with the Pogues and said: “It was amazing… so proper and right. He was a game changer.
“He brought that initial punk and Irish together. He was really special and his songwriting was amazing, Rainy Night In Soho, there are so many songs.
“The first time I saw them I was completely enthralled.”
Moya said she got the “privilege” of singing Fairytale Of New York with MacGowan at the Rose of Tralee festival. She added: “It’s amazing memories.”
Moya added MacGowan was in “great cheer” during the summer when she visited him in hospital and hoping to be home for Christmas. Folk group The Wolfe Tones said Shane MacGowan was a “lyricist supreme”.
In a post on X, the group said: “Shane MacGowan RIP, lyricist supreme, unbelievable talent, sincerest condolences to Victoria and Shane’s family and friends.”
Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor honoured MacGowan’s musical legacy in a heartfelt tribute shared on Instagram. Sharing the lyrics of The Pogues song “A Rainy Night In Soho”, Taylor, 43, captioned his post: ”Very sad news about Shane MacGowan passing away. A man you don’t meet every day.
“Really loved his music and songwriting and it has meant a lot to me over the years.
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