Dublin launch for new book on Shane MacGowan

SINCE its successful September launch of just a few weeks ago, at Nenagh Arts Centre, Pádraig Ó Flannabhra's new book: Songsmith, picturing the Pogue, Shane MacGowan, continues to create much interest, both locally and further afield.

The previously unpublished pictures, particularly those from the now legendary Pogues concert in Kennedy's Pocán in 1986 and the Silver Street Portrait session in Nenagh in 2003, when Shane MacGowan felt free to express himself in terms, which the book describes as 'The Twelve Shanes' of Christmas, continues on its successful run by orders arriving to the photographer's studio in Pocán and on line at www.buythebook.ie.

The hardback book was launched by Siobhán MacGowan and many of the Pogues fans were anxious to have her sign the book on the night also. But just after a few weeks since its local launch in the Pogues frontman's hometown of Nenagh, a Dublin launch is planned for the month of October.

The venue is the famous Palace Bar owned and run by Willie Ahern, a third generation Ahern family member, whose family originate from Rear Cross/Crois na Rae, in the Slieve Felim area of North Tipperary. The venue of the Palace Bar was once described by poet and novelist Patrick Kavanagh as the “most wonderful temple of Art”. The pub is of historic importance also, as Michael Collins is reputed to have used the snug for meetings during the war of Independence. (The same self snug was also used latterly - in peace time - by Shane MacGowan).

Strong literary associations are also recorded with Flann O'Brien, Séamus Heaney and artist Harry Kernoff, as well as Irish Times and Irish Press journalists.The Tipperary hurling teams and their supporters have used the 'Palace' as a kind of unofficial headquarters since the early years of the century and is often referred to as the Tipperary pub. This is no surprise when one considers it has been under the ownership of Tipperary people for over 100 years.

Small wonder then, that the Palace Bar, 21 Fleet Street, Dublin has been chosen as the follow on venue, from the book's successful Nenagh launch, by Siobhán MacGowan, to Dublin, where the “launch baton” has been passed to her sister-in-law Victoria Mary Clarke, who will launch the book depicting her husband and Songsmith, Shane MacGowan, on Tuesday evening October 15th 2024 from 7pm-9pm.

Commenting on the publication of his tenth book, photographer Pádraig went on to say: ''I am truly grateful for all the support I have received to date and I am looking forward to the Dublin launch at the Palace Bar. It is an honour to have the launch there. “The book is in support of UNICEF - United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, especially children of Palestine and the Gaza Strip.”

People are advised to arrive early to the launch from 7pm in order to secure a copy.

For those unable to make the Dublin launch, they may go online at www.buythebook.ie where a copy or copies will be posted out to them.