Shane MacGowan’s family issue emotional statement ahead of his funeral

Shane MacGowan’s family have issues an emotional statement ahead of his funeral.

The Pogues frontman sadly passed away on November 30 at the age of 65.

The singer will be laid to rest on Friday, December 8.

A new statement reads: “Shane MacGowan’s wife Victoria Mary Clarke, his father Maurice, sister Siobhan and wider family would like to thank everyone for the enormous outpouring of affection and messages of condolence they have received since his passing.”

“Knowing that people might wish to have the opportunity to say a final farewell, on Friday 8th December from 11.00am, Shane’s funeral cortege will pass through the streets of Dublin.”

“The Gardaí have asked that people wishing to pay their final respects to Shane gather on the footpath along this route.”

“Shane’s family are thankful for the many people that loved him as a musician, songwriter and champion of Ireland and its culture and hope they are in some way repaying that loyalty by giving those that loved and admired him a chance to wish him God Speed and say Slán.”

Shane’s funeral is to be held on Friday, December 8, where the singer’s coffin will be taken by horse-drawn carriage and led by the Artane Band and a piper between Ringsend and Pearse Street from 10.30am to 11.45am.

According to an RTÉ report the procession will begin in Ringsend at 10.30am, not far from where the star lived with his wife Victoria Mary Clarke in Ballsbridge.

The singer’s coffin will arrive by hearse at the carpark of the Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium and from there it will be transferred to a horse drawn carriage.

Then, the Artane Band and a piper will lead the carriage and some family cars onto South Lotts Road, across McMahon Bridge and down Pearse Street to the junction of Lombard Street East and Westland Row.

It will then cross Westland Row and Lincoln Place into Fenian Street and then travel on to Denzille Lane where the coffin will be transferred back into the hearse privately.

The funeral procession is expected to last about an hour and a quarter.

After following the route around Dublin, Shane will return to Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, where his funeral mass will be held at St Mary of the Rosary Church in Nenagh, on Friday afternoon.

The funeral will be open to members of the public and is expected to be attended by a large number of people.