'The Pogues' frontman sadly passed away last week on Thursday, November 30th, at the age of 65.

Hundreds of people turned out today at St Mary Of The Rosary Church to say their farewells to the singer, including a number of his famous friends.

The funeral was open to the public and live streamed via his Twitter account.

Nick Cave, Johnny Depp, Bob Geldof, Aiden Gillen, and President Michael D Higgins were all in attendance for the funeral service of the Irish legend.

U2's Bono, who couldn't be there in person, recorded a reading for MacGowan's funeral service, which was played aloud in church.

Parish priest, Fr Pat Gilbert, delivered the homily, and described MacGowan as 'our modern-day bard'.

"A poet, lyricist, singer, trailblazer, Shane reflected life as lived in our time, calling out accepted norms that oftentimes appear unacceptable," Fr Pat continued, adding that the singer would have celebrated his 66th birthday this coming Christmas Day.

"Born on the birthday of Jesus and passing on the same days as Oscar Wilde and Patrick Kavanagh, and his funeral celebration Mass today on this great Feast of Mary and Sinead's [O'Connor] birthday, all seems right."

In a fitting tribute, the songwriter's funeral service very much centred around music.

The iconic 'Fairytale of New York' was played throughout the church by Irish musicians, Glen Hansard and Lisa O'Neill, with crowds up on their feet singing and dancing for this performance.

Nick Cave performed 'The Pogue's' 1986 song 'A Rainy Night in Soho', and Mundy and Camille O'Sullivan performed 'Haunted', a duet recorded by MacGowan and the late Sinead O'Connor in 1995.

Forget the last few weeks,
This is us,
This is the real Ireland. 💚#RipShaneMacGowan #ShaneMacGowan pic.twitter.com/taHDEV18Ai

— Fergie McGrath (@FergusPMcGrath) December 8, 2023

The Pogues bassist, Cait O'Riordan, and musician, John Francis Flynn delivered the traditional song 'I'm a Man You Don't Meet Every Day', recorded by the band in 1985.

Irish singers, Imelda May, Liam O Maonlai and Declan O'Rourke, delivered a rendition of 'You're the One' - a song by Shane MacGowan and 'The Popes'.

Former bandmates of 'The Pogues' - Jem Finer, Terry Woods, Spider Stacy and James Fearnley - came together to sing the final song, 'The Parting Glass', as the funeral service came to a close.

"He would have loved that"

MacGowan's sister, Siobhan, gave her eulogy after 'Fairytale of New York' was performed, and said her brother 'would have loved that'.

Siobhan spoke of the final six months of MacGowan's life in the hospital, saying that despite his health status 'there was hardly a dull moment' and he 'rarely spent a moment alone'.

She recalled moments from their childhood, from 'eating Rice Krispie cakes' and watching 'Doctor Who'.

Siobhan described his funeral being in Tipperary as him being 'reunited with the land he loved' and recalled his love of music from an early age.

Mundy & Camille O’Sullivan perform "Haunted" at the funeral of #ShaneMacGowanpic.twitter.com/1rhttVymef

— Irish and UK Media News (@IREUKmedia) December 8, 2023

"He would sit at his table and earnestly study his music magazines," she said, before speaking directly to her brother.

"So Shane, you did what you dreamed. You did what you said were going to do in those long ago days in Tipperary, and you did it with such heart and fire - a fire that is not dimmed by death.

"We are so proud of you, so very proud my darling.

"I told you I'd always love you. I always did. And I always will."

"His mind was capable of going to these places that normal minds don't go to"

The late singer's wife was next to deliver her eulogy for her late husband.

Victoria spoke of MacGowan's life aspirations and how he honoured his dreams, adding that he 'wasn't really that interested in living a normal life'.

"He didn't want a 9-5 job or a mortgage or any of that stuff."

Victoria says her husband's mind 'was capable of going to these places that normal minds don't go to.'

She went on to share how MacGowan was a very 'intensely religious' man who got a 'physical visceral buzz out of the Holy Communion'.

"He just loved it. He prayed every day. He was very grateful to be alive. He's grateful for the gift of life. Every morning when he woke up, he gave thanks and prayed to God for giving him another day."

"His devotion was very beautiful, but it was also very radical."

R.I.P. Shane MacGowan
Here is Nick Cave performing 'A Rainy Night in Soho' at Shane's funeral in Nenagh, Co Tipperary, on Friday afternoon #ShaneMacGowan 💙pic.twitter.com/7BXaAp1CyP

— 🎶Paul Lewis - Wycombe Gigs (@wycombegigs) December 8, 2023

Victoria concluded her eulogy by giving a touching and beautiful insight into her relationship with The Pogues frontman, saying they were 'destined to be together''

"I felt like there was nothing more that my life needed in order to be complete than to be with him, and I'm very grateful," she shared, adding that the pair would lough and smile at each other '50 times a day'.

"I have yet to meet a couple who have that gift... I just haven't met anyone else who has that. So it would be greedy, really, to want more than we got. We got so much."

MacGowan's widow expressed how 'devastated' she was by his passing, and asked that people extend compassion to those who suffer with alcoholism or drug addiction.

Context of Symbols

Symbols brought forward for the Context of Symbols, presented by MacGowan's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, included a 'Crock of Gold' book of MacGowan's art and lyrics, a Buddha, the tray that occasional Pogues singer, Spider Stacy, would 'bash over Shane's head' during gigs, and a Led Zeppelin record.

Clarke and MacGowan's wedding photo was also a symbol, as well as Tipperary flag was also brought forward, which received applause from the crowds.