Shane MacGowan Mural Officially Unveiled (Photos)

The streets of Nenagh were thronged yesterday as family, friends, and fans of Shane MacGowan flocked to the Tipperary town for the official unveiling of the specially bespoke mural of the famous singer-songwriter, musician, and poet. The mural located at Emmet Place, Nenagh was commissioned by Tipperary County Council (Nenagh Municipal District) with the support of Shanes's wife Victoria, and the MacGowan family, and was completed by Tipperary artist, Neil O’Dwyer. Even before the unveiling, the artwork is becoming a focal point in Nenagh where fans congregate, pose for pictures, reminisce, and even perform music with the legend towering above them.

Rosemary Joyce, Senior Executive Officer, Nenagh Municipal District Administrator was the “MC,” for the event and was a huge contributor and driving force in getting the mural commissioned and today's event.

In front of the huge crowd Victoria Shane's wife said, "We spent most of our lives in London but every time anybody asked Shane where he lived he was quick to say Tipperary, and to have this mural here in his hometown would mean everything to him. The only thing he would ask for is to have another mural of Tom Creagh on the wall beside him. It's important to say that this is not just a mural, it's not just about Shane, but something a lot bigger. It's about being willing as a people to champion somebody who didn't live a normal life and didn't live the way you're supposed to live. He was a man who lived from his heart, from his soul and he didn't ever pretend to be anybody that he wasn't. He didn't try to impress anyone, he wasn't a diplomatic person, he was exactly as you saw him, he was honest! Appearance was not important to Shane, the first thing I thought of when I first saw the mural I was reminded of the photo that was used as a reference and I would probably be saying could you wear cleaner clothes but he didn't care about that stuff, he just felt that it was the person inside that mattered. And it wasn't just his own appearance but it was other people. As you know he spent a lot of time mixing with all kinds of people. The people he had the most time for were people who didn't fit in, particularly the homeless, but also people who were a bit flawed, a bit troubled, just not perfect. He had a great love for humanity but he much loved flawed humanity. So somebody like that, that could end up being portrayed on a wall gives us hope. It's not all about people making money, being successful, wearing designer clothes and nice cars, or as a superficial version of ourselves or perhaps a fake version of ourselves. To have Shane on the wall says something good about our society. And particularly vulnerable people, Shane was a very vulnerable person but wasn't afraid to show it and this shows up in his songs especially in 'Fairytale of New York' which was about vulnerable people. So it's all about and so important that we are all human and loveable. The next thing I want to talk about is his love of family, he loved his home, he spent years away but this was always home and he loved all his family and he loved all of you. So I want to thank all of you, you all played a part in Shane. I want to thank Siobhan, Therese (who I know is looking down), Maurice, Fiona (Bonfield, Tipperary County Council), Neil O’Dwyer, Rosemary, and everyone involved in making this Mural.

Shane’s sister Siobhan, commented: “It was important to us as a family that Shane’s likeness and expression be captured. Neil has done this so beautifully, the mural has such a presence and strong sense of Shane, it's everything we could have hoped for. We are very grateful to Neil and Tipperary Co Council for this stunning tribute to our beloved Shane.”

Neil O’Dwyer described working on the mural as one of the most enjoyable projects he ever had the honour of being part of, "I have great admiration for Shane, he was a master songsmith. I aimed to portray a mature Shane as the performer in a way that has each observer guessing as to what he might be thinking. I'm particularly delighted that the mural has been so well received by Shane’s family." Neil was visibly moved by the end of his speech.

A lot of thought and consultation with the family took place in completing the design and each element has its own symbolism. The Celtic Shield represents protection and love, the red rose represents the debut album of The Pogues, ‘Red Roses For Me’. The scarf includes references to ‘Fairytale of New York’ with Kirsty MacColl, the Pogues, the Pogue Mahone logo, Shane and his wife, Victoria, his parents Maurice and Therese, his sister Siobhan and his maternal relatives, the Lynches.

Cllr Fiona Bonfield, Cathaoirleach of Nenagh Municipal District, welcomed the completion of the mural and spoke of how much Nenagh and the surrounding areas meant to Shane and how fitting it was that this tribute now adorned one of the most prominent walls in Nenagh. “This is a work of art, created by Neil O’Dwyer,” she said, “It will be somewhere that people will come to visit and can enjoy the quality of the art in the same way that they enjoyed the quality of the lyrics and music of Shane MacGowan.”

The unveiling also featured close friend of Shane celebrated Irish musician and composer Sharon Shannon, and joining her on stage were Mundy and Camille O'Sullivan. There were also performances by Dáwna, Grace Tooher, Keelan McGrath, Jack and Caithlin McGrath, Emma Fitzgerald, Martin ‘Twisty’ O’Brien, Jimmy Tooher, Martin Grace and JP O'Meara.