A box of teabags, a keyboard and a hurling stick: Touching symbols representing Shane MacGowan’s life are displayed by his coffin at ‘spiritual’ funeral

A box of teabags, a keyboard and a hurling stick were all placed alongside Shane MacGowan – as the touching symbols of his life were laid alongside his coffin.

Introduced by his wife and brought up to the priest by a selection of Shane’s family and friends, gathered mourners cheered as they were presented one by one and held up to the crowd.

Victoria May Clarke explained the significance of the 20 symbols presented at the start of the funeral service as she tried to paint a full picture of her late husband – giving the viewing public an insight into his personal life through his most prized possessions.

In a touching tribute, the presentation started with a metaphorical gift of peace and love, which one of their friends pretended to take to the front.

Introduced by his wife and brought up to the priest by a selection of Shane’s family and friends, gathered mourners cheered as they were presented one by one and held up to the crowd. Pictured: The symbols collected at the end

Victoria May Clarke (pictured) explained the significance of the 20 symbols presented at the start of the funeral service as she tried to paint a full picture of her late husband – giving the viewing public an insight into his personal life through his most prized possessions

In a touching tribute, the presentation started with a metaphorical gift of peace and love, which one of their friends pretended to take to the front. Pictured: Order of service at Shane’s funeral

The Pogues

At the forefront of the context and symbols were items from Shane MacGowan’s famous life within the Pogues – where he was the lead vocalist and primary lyricist.

The second item to be presented was a record by the band – which Shane had customised himself. 

And in a move that roused a cheer from the crowd of mourners, it was later followed by a silver tray – which fellow band member Spider Stacy would hit over his head during gigs.

Presented by Spider himself – and clearly dented – the ornament drew laughs as it was held over the priest’s head.

Another symbol took him back to his first days with the band – with a Bodhran drum.

Victoria explained: ‘Shane used to play the Bodhran in the Pogues. He loved playing the Bodhran and he was very sad to give it up.’

And a final presentation saw the Casio keyboard used to write songs be brought in front of the gathered mourners. The particular keyboard held up was used to write his hit tune Summer in Siam.

One presentation saw the Casio keyboard used to write songs be brought in front of the gathered mourners. The particular keyboard held up was used to write his hit tune Summer in Siam

In a move that roused a cheer from the crowd of mourners, it was later followed by a silver tray – which fellow band member Spider Stacy would hit over his head during gigs

Another symbol took him back to his first days with the band – with a Bodhran drum

Music and art

Another key element of presentation was Shane MacGowan’s love of art, music and literature.

As a record of Led Zeppelin II was brought to the front, Victoria explained that it was a gift given to her husband on his last birthday.

Saying he used to listen to the album a lot, she added that she had ‘never seen him so happy with a present, ever.’ 

She further presented a copy of Shane’s own book, Crock of Gold – a collection of the singer’s art and lyrics.

With a print run limited to just 1,000 copies, they are sold out on his website but were retailed at a stunning £5,000.

A DVD copy of The God Father was also included in the symbols representing his life – with Victoria saying Shane was ‘obsessed’ with films.

She continued: ‘Shane was a great lover of films; he was obsessed by films, spent a lot of time watching films.’

Among the collection was a further celebration of the singer’s Irishness – with further books including J.P. Donleavy’s Ireland, James Joyce’s novel Finnegan’s Wake, and Flann O’Brien’s An Béal Bocht (or The Poor Mouth, in English).

Johnny Depp’s music was also was specially highlighted to the service – as the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was joined by Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlai as they read the prayers of the faithful during this afternoon’s service.

Victoria said: ‘Shane was a massive fan of Johnny. A friend of Johnny, but also a fan of your guitar, your weird guitar noises.’

Johnny Depp’s music was also was specially highlighted to the service – as the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was joined by Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlai as they read the prayers of the faithful during this afternoon’s service

Among the collection was a further celebration of the singer’s Irishness – with further books including J.P. Donleavy’s Ireland, James Joyce’s novel Finnegan’s Wake, and Flann O’Brien’s An Béal Bocht (or The Poor Mouth, in English)

She further presented a copy of Shane’s own book, Crock of Gold – a collection of the singer’s art and lyrics

A DVD copy of The God Father was also included in the symbols representing his life – with Victoria saying Shane was ‘obsessed’ with films

Personal items 

But the presentation centred around Shane’s personal loves and passions – with items representing his Irish roots and family offering a rare insight into his personal life.

The items started with a Tipperary flag – his mother’s childhood home where his sister Siobhan later said he found his spiritual home.

Alongside it was a hurley – a hurling stick – and a Shannon Rovers jersey to represent his favourite team.

His wife also included a Buddha, representing his love of all religions. She joked: ‘Is that the first time they’ve held up a Buddha in a Catholic church?’

In another religious icon, a figure of the Madonna was also included in the grouped items.

She continued: ‘Shane was also dedicated to Our Lady and he had a small statue of Our Lady on his hospital tray.

‘If anyone tried to obscure it by putting anything in front of it he’d always say: “You’re blocking the Madonna, you’re blocking the Madonna.”‘

Victoria also included a pack of tea in his collection of symbols.

The items started with a Tipperary flag – his mother’s childhood home where his sister Siobhan later said he found his spiritual home – and a hurley (pictured)

Alongside the hurling stick was a Shannon Rovers jersey to represent his favourite team

In another religious icon, a figure of the Madonna was also included in the grouped items

A wedding photo was also included within the presentation, harking back to the 2018 ceremony where many in the audience had also attended

She explained: ‘Shane had a cup of tea maybe 50 times a day during his love. Loved the tea!’

A wedding photo was also included within the presentation, harking back to the 2018 ceremony where many in the audience had also attended.

And finally – in a touching tribute to his close bond with his sister, Victoria personally added Siobhan MacGowan’s book The Graces.

She said: ‘I wanted to add one particular item, which is Siobhan MacGowan’s The Graces, which Shane was incredibly proud of his sister Siobhan for her achievement. 

‘He was just very proud of her writing.’ 

Siobhan would later thank many of the special guests for attending her brother’s funeral, including Irish president Michael D Higgins.

Recalling the end of Shane’s life, she said he spent the last six months of it in hospital, although noted with many friends visiting there was ‘hardly a dull moment’.

She also thanked the carers and health workers who looked after MacGowan, ‘always ensuring his comfort, which allowed us to share laughter and loving moments with them to the end’.

‘We will be eternally grateful to you,’ she told mourners.

Siobhan said, while they were born in Kent, her brother’s ‘veins ran deep with Irish blood’, and he found his spiritual home in Co Tipperary, their mother’s childhood home.

‘Shane absorbed the magical mayhem of this place, and along with the musical talents of his mother, the literary leanings of his father, and their enduring love for their son, it would be the greatest influence on his life,’ she said.

In an emotional address, Siobhan said: ‘So Shane you did what you said you were going to do on those long-ago days in Tipperary. And you did it with such heart and fire.

‘A fire that is not dimmed by death, for you have lit that fire and it burns now in Ireland and all over the world.

‘And so, Shane, with words from Dad and I, your little sister and your father, we are so proud of you, so very proud of you our darling.’

With her voice breaking as she quoted her brother, she added: ‘As a sunset came to meet the evening on the hill, I told you I’d always love you, I always did and I always will.’

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