Opinion
26 Oct 23

Shane MacGowan provides health update

Shane MacGowan with his sister, Siobhan MacGowan, at the launch of The Eternal Buzz & The Crock of Gold in Ballsbridge, Dublin on November 8th, 2022. Photo credit Miguel Ruiz.

Riccardo Dwyer

The legendary singer's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, has been providing fans with steady updates of her husband's health via social media.

Shane MacGowan has shared an update praying for “peace and love” as he battles ongoing health issues.

The legendary Pogues leader has been dealing with health issues since late last year. He was hospitalised in December with an infection, but was subsequently released in time for his birthday on Christmas Day.

His wife, Victoria Clarke, has been keeping fans up to date on her social media. On 22 October, she posted a photo of her husband smiling from his hospital bed on her X/Twitter account, relaying the message he wanted to share.

“Shane is praying for peace and love for everyone in the world” it said.

She later posted another photo of MacGowan with the caption : “Shane says thank you for your lovely messages and prayers!!!”

Shane says thank you for your lovely messages and prayers!!! ⁦@ShaneMacGowan⁩ ⁦@poguesofficial⁩ pic.twitter.com/dEnPmGnLtH

— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) October 23, 2023

The singer is currently suffering from Encephalitis, a rare condition which causes swelling in the brain.

Potentially life-threatening, it requires urgent treatment. Symptoms include loss of movement and speech difficulties.

MacGowan’s health took a turn for the worse when he caught shingles, the infection spreading to his eye. He is still recovering from the illness.

The last decade has been one of recurring health problems for The ‘Fairytale of New York’ singer – including a fractured pelvis in 2015 which resulted in him requiring a wheelchair.

Later that year MacGowan received a new set of teeth and titanium implants in his jaw – following years of dental issues. In 2016, he was hospitalised once more with hip pain, compounded by pneumonia.

Elsewhere, Bruce Springsteen paid a visit to The Pogues frontman ahead of The Boss’ shows in Ireland.

“What an amazing honour and a beautiful experience to get a visit from The Boss,” she wrote Clarke on Instagram. “Such a truly wonderful man and a total genius."