Shane MacGowan’s cause of death revealed
The cause of death for The Pogues’ frontman Shane MacGowan has been revealed. The Irish musician died at the age of 65 on November 30th. He would have been 66 on Christmas Day.
MacGowan had been in poor health for some time and was confined to a wheelchair in 2015 following a fall where he fractured his pelvis. From that moment, a number of health issues continued to arise, including a serious bout of pneumonia. In 2020, he also broke his knee and tore a ligament.
MacGowan was hospitalised for an infection on December 6th, 2022, after being diagnosed with the brain inflammation encephalitis. In July 2023, MacGowan was sent to an intensive care unit, and in September, his wife, the Irish journalist Victoria Mary Clarke, issued an update, hoping he would be home for Christmas.
Sadly, the musician suffered a second bout of pneumonia and it has been stated that this is what caused his death. Clarke told RTE, that in his final days, he “was trying very hard to breathe.” She continued: “He wasn’t ready to give up. He wasn’t ready to stop fighting — but his body did it for him.”
She had confirmed that while he was hospitalised he was in good spirits and a string of his fellow musicians paid him visits. “We did our best to keep him entertained, so he had a lot of people visiting. Lots of musicians like Bono, The Edge, Mundy, Imelda [May], Daniel O’Donnell, Moya Brennan, Aidan Gillen, Jim Sheridan, Bobby Gillespie,” Clarke said.
In a previous statement, Clarke paid tribute to her late partner, writing: Thank you thank you thank you thank you for your presence in this world you made it so very bright and you gave so much joy to so many people with your heart and soul and your music. You will live in my heart forever. Rave on in the garden all wet with rain that you loved so much. You meant the world to me.”
MacGowan’s funeral details have also recently been announced. Speaking to RTÉ News, local councillor Seamus Morris said: “It will be a big funeral in Nenagh. It is an open funeral. It is open to everyone and we have a very big church in Nenagh. People will be very welcome.”
Morris continued: “There will be great stories told, there will be great friends of his that have met him over the years and celebrated life with him over years they will all be very welcome to Nenagh. Nenagh will be welcoming to them all.”
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