The Pogues star Shane MacGowan’s funeral took place in County Tipperary, Ireland, this afternoon (December 8) with fans and stars attending to pay their respects.

Fans turned out in their thousands to pay tribute to The Pogues’ Shane MacGowan ahead of his funeral in Ireland on Friday, with friends such as Johnny Depp and Sir Bob Geldof also honouring the late musician. During his funeral, his widow Victoria shared several moving stories about her husband and his life, while his sister Siobhan shared an insight into his life growing up in England and Ireland

Shane was suffering from illness in the years before his death and was hospitalised for viral encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and shingles in December 2022. The star was admitted to the ICU in June, with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke sharing updates on his condition. He was discharged from St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin in November, just days before his death.

The attendance of both Hollywood star Johnny Depp and Irish president Michael D Higgins at St Mary of the Rosary Church on Friday was a tribute to how the music and personality of Shane MacGowan crossed boundaries and seemed to attract fans and friends from all walks of life. One fan who lined the street referred to Shane as “life-changing for me” before explaining that he named his first son after MacGowan.

MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke presented symbols of her late husband during the funeral mass which included a copy of a Depp album, whom she called a “massive fan” of The Pogues frontman. A Led Zeppelin record, art and lyrics from MacGowan that form a Crock Of God book, a James Joyce novel, a hurling stick and a Tipperary flag were also among the items presented at Saint Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh.

While the occasion was always going to be tinged with regret, this was a funeral filled with music, laughter and appreciation. See below to see how Shane’s funeral unfolded with several touching moments.