The official launch of a recently completed mural to commemorate the late Shane MacGowan will take place at 2pm on Sunday October 6th.
The mural is located at Emmet Place in Nenagh where Shane’s mother came from and where Shane spent extensive time as a child and adult. Shane McGowan died in November 2023 aged 65 – he was the lead singer of The Pogues and a significant songwriter.
Neil O’Dwyer from Tipperary town completed the mural which was funded by Tipperary County Council.
Neil O’Dwyer says the mural is one of the most enjoyable projects in his career adding that “his aim is to portray a mature Shane as the performer in a way that has each observer guessing as to what he might be thinking.”
Shane is shown with a microphone in hand wearing a dark jacket and green scarf adorned with images of important people in Shane’s life, his wife Victoria, parents Maurice and Theresa, sister Sharon, maternal relations the Lynches, band members from the Pogues and singer Kirsty MacColl who sang with Shane on “Fairy Tale of New York.”
The Celtic Shield represents protection and love, the red rose represents the debut album of The Pogues, ‘Red Roses For Me’. The Pogue Mahone logo is also included on the scarf.
Sharon Shannon is to perform at the launch event where Shane’s wife, Victoria and his sister, Siobhan will be among those in attendance as well as artist Neil O’ Dwyer.
