- The Pogues singer is said to have treated his guests to a round at The Thatched Cottage
Shane McGowan's dying wish was for mourners at his funeral to enjoy a pint with him, with a staggering €10,000 reportedly being donated behind the bar at his favorite pub.
The Pogues frontman, who died of pneumonia on November 30 aged 65 after being ill for months, is said to have invited select guests for a round at The Thatched Cottage in Nenagh, Co Tipperary.
Stars including Johnny Depp, Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and Shane's bandmates gathered to toast the beloved musician. Around 250 people are said to have taken part in the “official” funeral service.
The remaining Pogues members paid a moving tribute to Shane as they drank the night away, reports the Independent, and performed a rousing rendition of their hit “The Body of An American.”
Attendees were said to need tickets for the VIP gathering, which took place hours after the “Fairytale of New York” singer's star-studded funeral at nearby St. Mary's of the Rosary Church.
The Pogues frontman is said to have invited selected guests for a round at The Thatched Cottage in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Shane McGowan's final wish was reportedly that mourners at his funeral could enjoy a pint with him
The wake was held at the watering hole three miles outside Nenagh and was reportedly guarded by bouncers.
Depp is among those who are said to have stayed at the venue until the early hours of the morning.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor previously attended MacGowan's wedding to Victoria Mary Clarke.
She was said to have spent most of the night of the wake “hanging out” with the star, who she described to Depp as a “tower of strength” following her husband's death.
Shane's widow and close friend were also among a tight-knit group of mourners who hugged each other as Shane's coffin was handed over for cremation.
The memorial service was attended by celebrities including Nick Cave, Bob Geldof and Depp, who read prayers alongside Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O'Maonlai.
Tens of thousands lined the streets in a long funeral procession as the cortege traveled from Dublin to Tipperary, where Shane grew up.
Johnny Depp (centre left) among the pallbearers carrying Shane MacGowan's coffin after his funeral at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
Johnny Depp (l.) comes to the funeral mass for Shane MacGowan at Saint Mary's of the Rosary Church
MacGowan's coffin was then brought to the front of the church, draped in an Irish tricolor flag, and placed next to a large black and white photo of the Pogues singer.
The songwriter is best known for the Christmas classic “The Fairytale of New York,” which is expected to reach number one on the charts this season.
The Irish singer had been discharged from hospital over a week after being treated for viral encephalitis, a condition in which swelling develops in the brain.
His funeral took place on December 8th, marking the 57th birthday of fellow Irish musician Sinead O'Connor.