Shane MacGowan’s widow believes his ghost told her to play her guitar for the first time since his death.
Victoria Mary Clarke, who was by Shane’s side when he died on 30 November aged 65 after being hit with a series of illnesses that left him hospitalised, including pneumonia, told fans over the New Year break she has felt incapable of lifting the instrument she he passed away.
She has now said in her latest Instagram update on how she is coping without The Pogues frontman: “I haven’t played my guitar since @shanemacgowanofficial died but last night while I was trying to watch TV I kept getting nudges from him to open the drawer of his desk.
“I kept trying to ignore the nudges and I tried to keep watching TV but something wouldn’t let me and I had to get up and open the drawer. Inside the drawer was a plectrum, so I picked it up and then I picked up the guitar and played a few chords.”
She added about feeling Shane’s spirit around her as she played: “And it genuinely felt like there was an energy that was coming through and making up a tune!!!
“Who knows what we are capable of from the other side? I do know that it felt really good to play the guitar!”
Victoria – who has been in grief counselling since Shane’s death – has also told fans she feels his spirit all around her and feels like he is in a “better place”.
She also said she comforted herself over Christmas by going to the church mass Shane loved “loved”.
Victoria told her fans on Instagram: “I was feeling really desolate this morning but I was lucky enough to be able to get to Mass in Cuil Aodh home of the famous choir led by Peadar O Riada. It was a transcendent experience to feel the joy and love (red heart emoji) in the church and in the congregation and in the healing voices of the choir.
“Shane always loved to take Holy Communion and he could really get a buzz from it and I definitely found a level of peace that had been feeling out of reach. “Just the sound of the beautiful voices and the incense and the beauty of the Irish language being spoken was glorious and healing.”
Victoria has previously said on Instagram she feels connected to Shane’s “presence”.
