Shane MacGowan’s widow carries on dancing into the night as 300 guests including Johnny Depp and Nick Cave attend wake for legendary singer in modest thatched-roof pub

Shane MacGowan's widow danced the night away at a wake for her husband in a modest thatched pub.

Dozens of black-clad security men stood guard outside the modest venue as Johnny Depp and Nick Cave joined Victoria Mary Clarke and other mourners at the gathering.

About 300 guests filed into the establishment with pints of Guinness and cocktails flowing in memory of The Pogue's lead singer.

Earlier today at the legendary rockers' funeral, Victoria, 58, had danced around her husband's coffin with other family members, with MacGowan's music-filled celebration continuing into the early hours.

A source told MailOnline: 'Victoria wanted Shane's farewell to be a good old Irish 'hooley'. She knew there would be some tears later, but she just wanted a party.

'It's all about laughing, hugging and giving Shane a drink or ten. There would be a lot of pain in the morning.'

Depp has promised to stay in touch with Victoria despite the death of his beloved friend. And tight security surrounded him as he sneaked into the party.

A Celtic band provided traditional Irish music tonight as Bally Common entered Hollywood with dozens of Men in Black wearing earpieces blocking the way for non-invited guests.

The star-studded guest list included Hot House Flowers' Liam O'Manlai, The Dubliners' John Sheehan, Oscar-winning singer Glen Hansard and singer Imelda May.

The Thatched Cottage offers delicious food and cocktails. The menu includes monkfish, Irish steaks and red hot curries.

Earlier today, tens of thousands of mourners gathered along the roads between Nenagh, Tipperary, and Dublin to bid a final farewell to the legendary punk rocker.

Fans tried to touch the coffin, draped in the Irish tricolor, as it was pulled by a horse and carriage. Others threw flowers or raised a pint of Guinness at the Pogue frontman.

MacGowan's widow Victory Mary Clark was in tears as she leaned over her partner's coffin outside Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.

It was then lifted into the church by six pallbearers – including Depp – for the service, which featured a variety of songs, including Haunted by The Pogues.

Depp – a long-term friend of MacGowan who attended his wedding in 2018 – was joined by Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O'Maonlai as they read out the prayers of the faithful during this afternoon's service.

Australian singer Cave sang A Rainy Night in Soho as part of the broadcast. Imelda May – who was a frequent visitor to MacGowan during his final days – Liam O Maonlai and Declan O'Rourke then performed You're The One.

Opening the service Fr Pat Gilbert reflected on the care Victoria had given her husband until his death last week.

He died at the age of 65 after a battle with pneumonia. He had only been released from the hospital a week earlier after treatment for viral encephalitis, a condition that causes swelling in the brain.

Fr Gilbert said: “Born on Jesus' birthday and on the same days as Oscar Wilde and Patrick Kavanagh, and his funeral celebration today on this great celebration of Mary and Sinead's (O'Connor) birthday. There seems to be something good about all this.'

He added: “I know he adored you, Victoria, and you adored him, and that you were so loving, supportive and kind all your life. You carried, cared for and caressed him until the end.

'And I am also aware of the strong bonds of love and affection that unite you as family Maurice, Siobhan and Anthony. I know you will all miss Shane terribly.

'A voice, a presence around you and with you, is suddenly silent – and coming to terms with that loss is always difficult.'

During her eulogy, MacGowan's widow said her partner, who she had been with on and off since she was 16, “told everyone how much he loved them” in his final days.

The Irish journalist said MacGowan's death 'took us all by surprise' – because everyone 'thought he was coming home'.

She said she “fell in love with his soul” when she remembered how they first met, adding that she “felt like I won the lottery.” Ms Clarke added: 'It would be greedy if we wanted more than we got. We have so much. Of course I'm going to miss him.

'I'm devastated and I've cried and cried and cried, but at the same time I think it's possible to feel that my heart has grown bigger – it's grown so much bigger as a result of our relationship and I feel like it never come back again.'

Mrs Clarke then surprised attendees and told mourners that her late husband had urged Depp to forgive his wife Amber Heard, referring to the Hollywood actor's bitter defamation case against his ex-wife.

She looked at Depp before telling mourners how her late husband “urged” him to forgive Heard.

She said, “I hope you don't mind me saying this, Johnny, but when Johnny had a lawsuit involving his ex-wife, Amber and Shane had a long talk with you, didn't they, and he urged you to forgive Amber. '

The church was filled with MacGowan's prized possessions. They included a copy of the Buddha, a Led Zeppelin record, a DVD copy of The Godfather and a Tipperary flag.

A Crock Of God book, a James Joyce novel and a throwing stick were also among MacGowan's prized possessions on display.

MacGowan's younger sister, Siobhan MacGowan, also spoke from the altar.

She said: 'So Shane, you did what you said you were going to do on those days long ago in Tipperary. And you did it with so much heart and fire.

'A fire that death will not extinguish, for you lit that fire and it now burns in Ireland and around the world.

“And so, Shane, in the words of Dad and me, your little sister and your dad, we are so proud of you, so very proud of you, our darling.”

Her voice broke as she quoted her brother: “When a sunset met the evening on the hill, I told you I would always love you, I always have and I always will.”