Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish singer-songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and songwriter of Celtic punk band the Pogues. He was also a member of the Nipple Erectors and Shane MacGowan and the Popes, as well as producing his own solo material and collaborating with artists such as Kirsty MacColl, Joe Strummer, Nick Cave, Steve Earle, Johnny Depp, Sinéad O’Connor, and Ronnie Drew.
MacGowan has suffered physically from years of binge drinking. He often performed onstage and gave interviews while drunk. He began drinking at age five, when his family gave him Guinness to help him sleep, and his father frequently took him to the local pub while he drank with his friends.
On 30 November 2023, after receiving last rites, MacGowan died from pneumonia at his home in Dublin.
On 8 December, MacGowan’s coffin was borne through the streets of Dublin on a horse-drawn carriage as fans lined the streets for his funeral procession. Later hundreds gathered inside and outside Saint Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, County Tipperary, including celebrities Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Bob Geldof, Aidan Gillen, President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins and former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. There was dancing inside the church as “Fairytale of New York” was performed by The Pogues with Glen Hansard, Lisa O’Neill and John Sheahan from the Dubliners.
Ring – cooper
Earrings – sterling silver
Bracelets – white metal, beads
Rolled-up cigarette – cigarette paper, tobacco
140 mm height
Winter 2017