Imelda May opens up about 'emotional' tribute night as portrait to hang in Shane MacGowan's favourite pub

Imelda May has opened up about the “emotional” night honouring Sinead O’Connor and Shane MacGowan.

The beloved Liberties star was one of the many singers who performed at Carnegie Hall in New York last week to honour the two music legends.

Opening up about the evening, the mother-of-one said she felt “Sinead and Shane’s spiritual presence with us.”

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She told fans on social media: “It was very emotional to pay tribute to our dear friends Sinead and Shane in the historical Carnegie Hall with family and friends, with music, passion, joy, respect, sorrow and love.

“Vibrations swirled around the room like a whirlwind with such enormous, palpable energy.

“Although their physical presence was so greatly missed, I really felt Sinead and Shanes spiritual presence with us.

“We cried, laughed, sang, listened, felt, held and were held. All this for a good cause of freedom of expression for @penamerica seems fitting in these times as Sinead and Shane always spoke the truth as we must also.

“My heart is filled with gratitude that I knew such extraordinary, empathetic people that were also geniuses. And gratitude that I'm surrounded by such great, talented, kind friends that I deeply love.

“The audience were open and ready to give and receive. How lucky were we to share this wondrous night to remember.”

Imelda paid tribute to the artists who performed on the night, but said one of her favourite moments was watching Sinead’s daughter Roisin Waters “soar to the heavens” with her rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U.

She added: “I sang my favourites This Is to Mother You and Haunted with Glen but Sinead’s daughter Roisin Waters soared to the heavens with Nothing Compares to You, a moment I'll never forget.”

Imelda, who got emotional during her performance, said that everyone would rather be watching the late singers perform instead. “This evening is a little more s*** than it could be,” she joked on stage.

A total of 22 songs were played and over $70,000 was raised for Pen America, a non-profit organisation based in New York that promotes free expression.

Shane MacGowan’s widow Victoria Mary Clarke thanked everyone for their support.

Taking to Twitter, she said: “Thank you so much to everyone involved in the tribute to Shane MacGowan and Sinead O’Connor! Carnegie Hall is magical and it was really beautiful.”

Last Thursday night, renowned artist Will McNally presented MacGowan’s sister Siobhan with a special portrait of the late The Pogues singer, who died last November.

Artist Will McNally, Shane's sister Siobhan and publican Philip Ryan

The painting will hang on the wall of MacGowan’s favourite pub, Philly Ryans, in Nenagh in Tipperary.

Will McNally with his portrait of Shane MacGowan

A spokesman said: “This meaningful piece was presented to Shane's sister, Siobhan MacGowan, at Philly Ryan's pub in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, a place close to Shane's heart and a cherished local spot for him.

“His close friend (proprietor of the pub Philly Ryan put on a spectacular night, with live trad music and friends and family of Shane and Will, present on the night.”

Will McNally with Philip Ryan and Shane MacGowan portrait

The spokesman added that the night was a “momentous occasion”.

“It was a momentous occasion that deserves to be documented, capturing both the artistic endeavour of Will and the heartfelt tribute to Shane MacGowan's legacy.”

Artist McNally has risen to become one of the UK’s top artists in recent years.

His striking collections hang alongside Banksy and Andy Warhol in galleries all over the world.

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