Shane MacGowan Dies Aged 65
The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65.
Born on Christmas Day in 1957 he will always be remembered with one of the most popular Christmas songs in history - Fairytale of New York.
He was the son of Irish immigrants - his father from Dublin and his mother from Tipperary.
— The Pogues (@poguesofficial) November 30, 2023
He was known for his drinking habits over the years and gave his own taken on the Late Late Show in the year 2000 saying people "should live their lives the way they want to but they should be informed properly.
"In England, I would be regarded as an alcoholic. In Ireland, I'd be regarded as an alcoholic."
His father Maurice paid tribute to him during the same interview, saying "his magnificent genius that I've had the privilege of having custody over in his formative years."
He spent most of his career with The Pogues but was kicked out of the band - he then started a new band called Shane MacGowan and The Popes.
But within 10 years - he was back with the Pogues.
Shane MacGowan is survived by his wife Victoria Mary Clarke who he married in 2018.
In a statement this afternoon, President Michael D Higgins said he will be remembered as "one of music's greatest lyricists.
"His words have connected Irish people all over the globe to their culture and history, encompassing so many human emotions in the most poetic of ways."
