Laois driver for Shane MacGowan and Pogues tribute band mourn his death

Many in Laois are mourning the death of legendary Pogues singer songwriter Shane MacGowan, not least his personal driver, and the members of tribute band Pogueology.

Brendan Fitzpatrick from Portlaoise has been the driver, and the friend of the Pogues frontman, for some 20 years.

He spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live after the news of the death broke.

"I was with him the night before he died. It was a tough day. He hadn't been well for a long time, his lifestyle took its toll in the end. He even used to say 'I thought I'd be dead by now'.

"He was an iconic figure and a great presence to be around, just a great guy to be with. We never fell out once," he said.

Shane enjoyed his visits to Laois, from stopping off in Egan's Hostelry as a child with his parents on the road from Tipperary to Dublin, to more recent visits to the Sally Gardens and the Hare's Corner in Mountmellick.

"He was a very religious guy. He took Holy Communion every day, he prayed every day and had a rosary beads and a cross around his neck, and great respect for priests. A priest called to him every week. 

"There were people who spoke to Shane about his music, but he didn't want to talk about it with me. We would just have normal conversations. He was a friend, very down to earth, very easygoing. 

“He always told me I was the best driver and minder. I’d sit all night in the car to make sure I got them all out after a session.

“For Shane’s 60th birthday Bono was sitting beside me, along with Sinead O’Connor, Johnny Depp, Bobby Gillespie. I said I’ll go sit in the corner and he said ‘no you will stay right here’. He always included me in anything like that. 

"I send my sympathies to his wife Victoria, his sister Siobhan, his dad Maurice and the McGowan family in Tipperary," Brendan said.

Brendan with Victoria Mary Clarke and Shane McGowan.

The lead singer of Pogueology is Brian O'Mahony also from Portlaoise. Pogueology is formed of a big group of Laois musicians who were genuine Pogues fans, and wanted to keep the music alive after the Pogues stopped performing. 

"His level of songwriting will never be seen again, that quality of song. He really was a true poet, out on his own. Pure poetry and he could paint an image with his words. His storytelling style was really unique.

"I met him once when I played in The Perfect Skins as support for a Sharon Shannon tour with him and we had a session that night. He came to see us backstage at the Salty Dog in Electric Picnic, I wasn't there but the lads had a great late night session.

"He was a great conversationalist, he loved to sit and talk with anyone. Brendan Behan was his idol, and other great Irish poets. He had such diverse taste in music. He grew up in the punk scene and to me, he took Irish trad music to a different level, he probably made it a bit more accessible," Brian said.

Pogueology shared this tribute.

"Everyone at the Pogueology camp are devastated to hear of the passing of the legend Shane MacGowan. Although it was inevitable, we are still shocked that he has passed. Obviously we have always been obsessed with his and The Pogues music.

"We have always felt privileged to pay tribute to The Pogues and Shane and we were lucky enough to have him backstage at one of the gigs. It was such an honour that he gave us his blessing.

"Our heartfelt thanks to Brendan Fitzpatrick who brought Shane along to see us. Deepest condolences to Victoria, Siobhan, Tom Creagh, Brendan, Jemmy, Pogues and Popes members and all of Shane's family and friends. Shane’s songwriting was pure art. The man will live on forever through his beautiful words and melodies. RIP Shane.. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam"

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Pogueology only play a select few gigs each year, for the love of the Pogues, as each of the many members are involved in their own projects. 

"We do a few Christmas shows, in Kavanaghs and in Ballintubbert House, but they are already sold out.  We won't be doing a tour or anything, but it will be a little more poignant now," Brian said.

The funeral of Shane MacGowan takes place on Friday, December 8 in Nenagh, Tipperary.