Kilbarron ensures Shane MacGowan's legacy will last
By Michael Molamphy
The village of Kilbarron is now the proud home to a fitting memorial dedicated to the memory of the late Shane MacGowan, the renowned singer/songwriter who spent many extended summer holidays in the family homestead in nearby Carney Commons.
The memorial plaque, standing over six feet tall, contains the powerful and evocative lyrics of one of Shane’s most loved compositions ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon’.
This song is a particular favourite among locals as it reminisces romantically and poignantly about times spent in the area. A number of local places are mentioned including the Cross of Finnoe, Glenaveigh and of course the nearby River Shannon.
The memorial serves as a reminder of Shane MacGowan's immense talent and his deep connection to Irish culture. It invites fans and locals alike to reflect on his profound impact on music and to appreciate the lyrical beauty that he brought to the world.
Speaking about the project, Kilbarron man Joe Hannigan said: “Shane had been approached quite a few years back about the possibility of a cultural trail based on his writings to be located in the Carney Commons and his response to us was ‘leave it until I’m gone, and then it would be nice’.”
It is widely accepted that it was the formative years spent here on extended summer holidays that fostered Shane’s deep love of Irish music, history and culture. Planning for this plaque began a number of years ago and it was decided to go ahead, initially, with this statement piece.
Fashioned from limestone just over a year ago, the plan was to have it put in place at some appropriate time in the future. When news of Shane’s passing was announced it was decided that the monument would provide a fitting focal point to visit for all who loved and appreciated Shane’s work as the importance of his local heritage was being widely discussed.
UP STEPS MIDGE
Luckily, Kilbarron builder Midge O’ Meara was on hand to construct the base and support structure for the beautiful commemorative plaque in just a matter of days. It was completed the day before Shane’s funeral and on the first day alone was visited by several fans from various parts of this country and beyond. In fact, the first group to visit were three lifelong Pogues fans, one of whom flew in that morning from Nottingham, the three friends having vowed many years ago to attend Shane’s funeral together, “if humanly possible”.
The song of course contains some of Shane’s most memorable lines, which were woven beautifully into his sister Siobhan’s outstanding eulogy at the funeral Mass – “I sat for a while by a gap in the wall, found a rusty tin can and an old hurling ball, heard the cards being dealt and the rosary called and a fiddle playing Sean Dún na nGall” – lyrics recounting how the siblings would sit at a favourite spot on the farm and hear the distant sounds of the rosary and of course music coming from the renowned homestead.
SHANNON ROVERS LINK
Shannon Rovers meant a lot to Shane and fittingly, a significant part of the offertory during the Mass was a Tipperary flag, a sliotar and a Shannon Rovers jersey. Shane’s great-grandfather John Lynch was indeed the first president of the club and appropriately the jersey was presented by Shane’s first cousin, Lisa Mulvihill (née Cahill) from Ballinderry, who is, co-incidentally, the current secretary of Ballinderry Sportsfield.
Lisa’s father, who also played for Shannon Rovers, has been referenced many times by Shane as one of his heroes growing up. We know that the two men had indeed a very special bond.
It is particularly fitting that the monument is located beside the church where Shane’s parents were married and close to the school where his family attended. Located in the car park in Kilbarron village, it now stands as a proud testament to a “son of this parish” whose genius with words and music has left a lasting legacy that will endure worldwide for many generations to come.