Capturing the magic of Shane MacGowan
Profits from photo book will go to UNICEF
‘Séan MacGabhann - Shane MacGowan: SongSmith’ is the title of the new photographic collection by photographer Pádraig Ó Flannabhra. It is the photographer’s tribute to the legendary frontman, singer and composer of the Celtic Punk-rock group, The Pogues. The collection for the most part features imagery from the Pogues one and only concert held at Kennedy's Lounge on Monday night January 6, 1986 (Little Christmas, Nollaig na mBan), which saw the group perform to young and old, many of them his own nearby relations and friends. It is the first time that most of the photographs taken by the photographer have been published in both colour and black and white.
The book is designed and printed in Ireland and every copy is hardback. It is good news for the many fans of The Pogues and especially for those who like to collect books, because to that end a special number of 100 limited, signed and numbered editions have been printed, with its own special cover, by Cló Chollchnó Press.
Each copy of the limited editions is accompanied by a bonus classic 6’’x4’’(15cmx10cm) format black and white print of Shane MacGowan on Fuji Photographic Matt Paper, making it a very special collector's item.
The photograph on the cover, was first published on the Nenagh Guardian of February 15, 1986, showing the young Shane at full vocal tilt accompanied on stage by his uncle Seán Cahill, Borrisokane, and by his cousin, Carmel Lynch, Cloughjordan. The book is in support of UNICEF and in its work in helping Palestinian children in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, who are battling with hunger every waking minute. All profits derived from the sales of the book will go to the charity. The book is to be launched on Tuesday, September 10, at Nenagh Arts Centre, by Shane's sister Siobhán MacGowan. There has been a rapid uptake for the book on its website: www.buythebook.ie with only a handful of preordered copies of the limited edition, still available.
The book may be viewed in advance on YouTube under the title: ‘Pogue in Pocán’. Commenting on the book in advance of its launch at Nenagh Arts Centre, Pádraig Ó Flannabhra the book's author says: “My wish, through these photographs, is to revive the memories of those who were there that night in Kennedy's of Pocán and to convey a sense of the occasion to those who weren't.”