The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan has died at the age of 65 following a long illness.
He died peacefully at 3am this morning, with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke and other family members by his side.
A statement from Victoria, Shane’s sister Siobhan and his father Maurice, stated that prayers and last rites were given, which gave comfort to the family.
The Irish music legend spent much of his childhood with his mother’s family in Co Tipperary, where he was surrounded by folk and traditional music.
Shane MacGowan became part of the punk scene in London in the 1970s and formed the band The Nipple Erectors, also known as the Nips.
Some years later he formed Pogue Mahone, which later became the Pogues, with Jem Finer and Spider Stacey.
The band adopted a mix of punk and Irish trad and folk, and brought Irish music to a new generation across the world.
His 60th birthday was marked with an event in Dublin in 2018, with performers including Sinéad O’Connor, Nick Cave and Glen Hansard all paying tribute. President Michael D. Higgins presented him with a lifetime achievement award.
Shane MacGowan married his long-time partner Victoria Mary Clarke in 2018 in Copenhagen.
