The father of the late Pogues lead singer, Shane MacGowan, has died aged 96.
Maurice MacGowan, passed away at University Hospital Limerick on Monday, following a short illness. He was surrounded by his family.
His daughter Siobhan paid a moving tribute to her late father with this statement.
In this tribute, Siobhan said that her father was "an enormous influence" on Shane's work.
"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!".
One memorable moment saw Maurice MacGowan asked about his son's personal life when Shane appeared on the Late Late Show many years ago.
During the interview, the then Late Late Show host, Pat Kenny turned to Maurice, who sat in the audience and asked him what they thought about Shane and his troubles.
"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 perhaps shares an insight into the man that Maurice was.
Maurice was born in Ranelagh in Co Dublin, but also lived in Silvermines and Nenagh in Co Tipperary.
He 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, and survived by his daughter, Siobhan, son in law Anthony and daughter in law, Victoria Mary Clarke, Shane's wife.
His funeral will take place at the Shannon Crematorium on Saturday. People have also been invited to make donations if desired to St Vincent De Paul in lieu with flowers.
