Unravelling Shane MacGowan

Shane MacGowan spent the happiest days of his childhood at the home of his Aunts and Uncles in Carney, north of Nenagh, and to mark this, a brochure has been released mapping out many of the sites that were key to his story. The brochure was compiled by Discover Lough Derg in association with Shane’s sister Siobhan MacGowan and his widow Victoria Mary Clarke, and was launched at the recent Broad Majestic Shannon festival in Kilbarron. We are delighted to be offering the opportunity to explore the sites shown in the brochure by eBike. There are several route options, ranging from 2.5 hours / 33kms to 4 hours / 62kms (as described below), and the route for the full tour is shown below. The tour can be booked Here.

 

 

Option 1 – The Full Tour (4 hours and 62kms)

This tour begins at the Tourist Office in Banba Square with a quick loop of Nenagh town centre to visit the 3 Shane MacGowan murals.

 

Next we head into the North Tipperary countryside on quiet roads, to Carney, where Shane’s Aunts and Uncles (the Lynches) lived, and where Shane would spend his childhood summers. Pass by Cloughprior Cemetary, where various relatives are buried, and which inspired the following lyric from The Sickbed of Cuchulain

Then they’ll take you to Cloughprior and shove you in the ground

But you’ll stick your head back out and shout “We’ll have another round”

Then on past Johnny Ryan’s pub and the Cross of Finnoe, as namechecked in The Broad Majestic Shannon (see below), before proceeding to Borrisokane.

Borrisokane was where the earliest incarnation of the Pogues was formed, performing a mixture of trad and contemporary songs, and where Shane realised that it was possible to mix his punk leanings with the traditional songs he had loved so much in his childhood. Here we can stop for a coffee break.

After Borrisokane we head back into the countryside, to Ballinderry, the home of Shannon Rovers. This GAA club was co-founded by Shane’s Great Grandfather, and was much loved by Shane. Then we proceed to Kilbarron village, to visit the Broad Majestic Shannon monument.

 

 

Leaving Kilbarron behind, we next head to the shores of the self same Broad Majestic Shannon! Visiting a particularly stunning section of the Lough Derg which so inspired Shane, at Skehanagh and Luska, you can see where “Once we watched the rowboats landing”.

After Luska, we head to Puckaun, home of one of Shane’s favourite haunts in Kennedy’s Bar, and where it is said the first ever performance of Fairytale of New York happened. Then back to the Lough Derg shore at Dromineer, before we head back into Nenagh, where you may finish the tour by raising a glass to Shane at one of his favourite spots, the Abbey Court Hotel, where MacGowan / Lynch family gatherings would often occur, and where Shane would often stay while visiting the area.

 

Option 2 – Shorter Tour from Nenagh (3.5 hours and 52 kms)

This version of the tour is a little shorter than option 1, and focusses on the southern end of the map, taking in Nenagh, Carney, Kilbarron, Luska and Dromineer.

Option 3 – Start and end in Dromineer (2.5 hours and 39 kms)

This version of the tour focusses on the area to the north of Nenagh, starting and ending in Dromineer, and taking in Carney, Kilbarron, Luska and Puckaun before returning to Dromineer. It shows some of the best of the Lough Derg area if you prefer a shorter distance.

Option 4 – Start and end in Borrisokane (2.5 hours and 33 kms)

This tour is the shortest one on offer, and focusses on the northern end of the route. The tour starts and ends in Borrisokane, taking in Ballinderry, Kilbarron and Luska before retuning via the Lynch homelands at Carney. You may choose to end the tour with a drink and/or a meal at The Green 1918 or McKenna’s.

Option 5 – Start and end in Terryglass (3 hours and 44 kms)

This option covers the same ground as option 4, except that it start and ends in the beautiful harbour town of Terryglass, calling in at Ballinderry, Kilbarron, Luska, Carney and Borrisokane along the way. You may choose to end the tour with a meal and/or a drink at the award-winning Derg Inn.

 

So there you have it! So many ways to visit the sites that Shane MacGowan held dear, and the perfect spots to raise a toast to the man himself at journey’s end. The eBikes are powerful and comfortable, and speeds will be tailored to your abilities. Also note that because there are plenty of stops along the way, there’s plenty of time to catch your breath. Book now at Link!