The service, and all the tributes to Shane, reflect the feelings we have that he expressed so poetically and sometimes roughly in his career. I think the RC church here may gain a few people back into the fold, considering the way St. Mary’s accommodated the funeral. Having musicians play “Fairytale of New York” on the alter was incredible, and the priest was enjoying every moment. In his homily, Father Gilbert pointed out the similarities to another raconteur beloved by the Irish, “As Brendan Behan did in prose, Shane did in poetry. The raw, vibrant, energetic, earthly, soul-filled expression gave us hope and heart...” “ Born on the b-day of Jesus and passing the same day as Oscar Wilde and Patrick Kavanagh, ... funeral on feast of Mary, and also Sinead O’Connor’s birthday, something seems right about all this”. The rev then quoted from the song, “ The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn” , which was applauded rousingly by the attendees. [the lyrics are not particularly apt to be quoted inside a church - “....took you up to midnight mass and left you in the lurch, so you dropped a button in the plate and spewed up in the church...”. ] Probably just as well the Pogues’ song The Church of the Holy Spook was not played at the service! The musicians on the altar beside Glen Hansard were from the Pogues, including Terry Woods who had also been in Sweeney’s Men and Steeleye Span, Lisa O’Neill, and John Sheehan, the last surviving member of the Dubliners. Other songs during the mass were sung by Nick Cave, Imelda May, Cait O’Riordan, and others of note. At the end of the service, “The Parting Glass” was played by Pogues’ members. Sorry I wasn’t there for it, but happy I had seen live performances over the years. Thanks Shane for who you were. I wish I could express the sound of your laugh in words, so I’ll pass it on instead.
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