LOCALS IN NENAGH are delighted with the progress of the Shane McGowan mural which can be seen in the Tipperary town.

The painting of the mural was proposed by local councillor Seamie Morris (Ind) who says he is delighted with the progress on the mural.

Writing on social media he said ‘’The finished product (nearly)and it’s amazing. Nenagh has a world-class mural to be proud of. A Tipperary man Drawn by a Tipperary man and I’m not finished with Murals in the town yet’’. 

Cllr Morris had also proposed that the council commission a mural on Nenagh born priest Fr Alec Reid who played a major role in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland.

The mural of the legendary singer is being delivered by Neil O’Dwyer who specialises in this form of artwork. The tribute to the songwriter and former lead singer with The Pogues was commissioned by Tipperary County Council with the Nenagh Municipal district allocating €15,000 towards the mural.

O’Dwyer says he likes to include almost “hidden” features in his creations that emerge for the viewer as they move closer to the mural. O’Dwyer’s creations are numerous across the country and can be found on his website murals.ie. 

MacGowan was born in the UK but spent much of his childhood at the ancestral family home in Carney outside Nenagh and frequently visited the area as an adult as his parents returned to live in the area. He co-wrote the song ‘Fairytale of New York’ which has now become a Christmas standard around the globe.

Shane MacGowan died in Dublin on 30 November 2023, aged 65, and his funeral Mass in St Mary’s Church Nenagh was a star studded tribute including contributions from Gerry Adams, Johnny Depp, Nick Cave and the Sean O’Riada Singers.

The work is expected to be completed later this week and is located on the gable end of a prominent building at Emmet Place just off Mitchell Street.