How Fairytale of New York singer Shane MacGowan ‘left €10k behind the bar of his favourite pub at his VIP wake so guests including pal Johnny Depp and Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie could enjoy booze-up’

  • The Pogue singer is said to have treated guests to a round of The Thatched Cottage

Shane McGowan's dying wish was for mourners to enjoy a pint from him at his funeral, with reports claiming as much as £10,000 would be deposited behind the bar of his favorite pub.

The Pogues frontman, who died of pneumonia aged 65 on November 30 after months of ill health, is said to have treated selected guests to a round at The Thatched Cottage in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.

Stars including Johnny Depp, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Shane's bandmates came together to toast the beloved musician, with around 250 people believed to have attended the 'official' wake.

The remaining Pogues members paid a moving tribute to Shane as they drank into the night, the independent reports, with a stirring rendition of their hit The Body of An American.

It was said that attendees needed a pass for the VIP-only gathering, which took place hours after the Fairytale of New York singer's star-studded funeral at nearby St Mary's of the Rosary Church.

The Pogues frontman is said to have treated selected guests to a round at The Thatched Cottage in Nenagh, Co Tipperary

Shane McGowan's dying wish was for mourners to have a pint of him at his funeral, according to reports.

The vigil was held at the watering hole three miles outside Nenagh and was reportedly guarded by bouncers.

Depp is among those said to have remained at the location until the early hours.

The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor previously attended MacGowan's wedding to Victoria Mary Clarke.

She is said to have spent most of the night of the wake 'hanging out' with the star, who she described to Depp as a 'tower of strength' after her husband's death.

Shane's widow and his close friend were also among a close group of mourners who hugged each other as Shane's coffin was handed over for cremation.

The funeral service was attended by celebrities including Nick Cave, Bob Geldof and Depp, who read prayers along with Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O'Maonlai.

A long funeral procession saw tens of thousands of people walk through the streets as the funeral procession traveled from Dublin to Tipperary, where Shane grew up.

Johnny Depp (centre left) among pallbearers carrying Shane MacGowan's coffin after his funeral at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, Co Tipperary

Johnny Depp (L) arrives for the funeral mass for Shane MacGowan at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church

MacGowan's coffin was then brought to the front of the church, draped in an Irish tricolor flag and placed close to a large black and white photo of the Pogues singer.

The songwriter is best known for the Christmas classic The Fairytale of New York, which is expected to reach number one on the charts this season.

The Irish singer was released from hospital more than a week after undergoing treatment for viral encephalitis, a condition that causes swelling in the brain.

His funeral took place on December 8, poignantly on what would have been fellow Irish musician Sinead O'Connor's 57th birthday.

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