The father of the late Pogues lead singer, Shane MacGowan, has died aged 96.
Maurice MacGowan, passed away at University Hospital Limerick on Monday, surrounded by his family, following a short illness.
Having been originally born in Ranelagh in Co Dublin, Maurice was predeceased by his wife Therese and son Shane, who was the lead singer of the Pogues. He had passed away in November 2023 aged 65.
Maurice is survived by his daughter, Siobhan, son in law Anthony and daughter in law, Victoria Mary Clarke, Shane's wife.
In a moving tribute, Siobhan said that her father was "an enormous influence" on Shane's work, something which not many people would be aware of.
"Shane's dad was such an enormous influence on his work and I don’t think people realise that," she said.
"He was the one getting him reading Joyce and Flann O Brien and Behan and everyone when he was a little kid instead of children’s books, and Shane always credited him with his love for great literature and his appreciation for poetry.
"His ability to be authentic and unfiltered and really funny in a dry and sharp way was Maurice and his inherent self-belief and lack of a need to impress anyone."
"Shane would have long conversations with his father and he would ask Maurice what he was listening to and it was always something really interesting," she added. "He had an incredibly eclectic taste, and he was right up to date with everything that was happening in the music world".
"And of course he was a composer and a poet himself. He passed on his genes!".
In fact, on one occasion, Shane MacGowan appeared on the Late Late Show hosted by Pat Kenny at the time.
During the interview, Kenny turned to Maurice, who sat in the audience at asked him what they thought about Shane's battles with addiction.
"I would never comment on Shane's private life", Maurice told Kenny. "There is so much more to comment upon, like his magnificent genius that I have had the privilege to have had custody over during his formative years". (quotes according RTÉ).
This remains one of the most beautiful tributes from a father to a son, and maybe offers an insight into the man that Maurice was.
Maurice's funeral will take place at the Shannon Crematorium on Saturday, with donations if desired to be made to St Vincent De Paul in lieu with flowers.
