Crowds of people gathered in Dublin this morning for the funeral procession of Shane MacGowan in Ireland today (December 8).
The songwriter, who found fame as the lead singer of London-Irish punk/folk band The Pogues, died at the age of 65 last week.
Members of the public lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the procession, which started at St Lotts Road in Dublin City Centre.
The procession, involving a horse-drawn carriage as well as the Artane Band and a piper, travelled through the city across MacMahon Bridge and onto Pearse Street.
It then turned onto Westland Row, onto Fenian Street and concluded at Denzille Lane at approximately.
MacGowan’s public funeral mass, which will be livestreamed, will take place at St Mary’s of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Tipperary, at 3.30pm.
Irish President Michael D Higgins is expected to attend alongside stars such as Johnny Depp and Nick Cave. Following the funeral mass, the public will also have the opportunity to pay their respects as the funeral cortege moves through Nenagh town centre from Church Road to Market Cross. A private cremation will follow.
MacGowan was born to Irish parents in 1957 in Pembury, Kent, and he soon moved to rural Tipperary where he was immersed in a culture of ceili bands and showbands. The Pogues frontman, best known for hit festive song Fairytale Of New York, died “peacefully” at 3am on November 30 with his wife and family by his side, a statement from his relatives said.
He was due to celebrate his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.
1. Mourners display messages as the funeral procession of the late music singer Shane MacGowan.
Born on Christmas Day in Pembury, Kent, in 1957, he's best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the Pogues. Photo: Getty Images
2. Shane MacGowan's coffin is carried by a horse drawn hearse
Raised in Tunbridge Wells by Irish parents, MacGowan changed up Irish folk music by infusing punk style and attitude, as showcased in the popular 1988 Christmas ballad "Fairytale of New York." Photo: Getty Images
3. A pipe band played a number of the Pogue's most iconic songs
Musicians played some of his best known songs and fans sang along as the horse-drawn carriage bearing his coffin made its way through the city.