How a Kildare man came to own Shane MacGowan's living room door artwork

This is the story of how Kildare-based music promoter, Declan Quinn, came to own Shane MacGowan’s living room door!

Since his recent passing, many stories about the legendary songwriter have emerged which reaffirmed his poetic and lyrical talent. However, his creative ability was not limited to songwriting and that was reflected in his seminal artwork from 2008 — now the proud possession of Mr Quinn from LCM PRomos.

He explains how the story began in 2008 when Shane donated his ‘painting’ to support Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
A few weeks later, Mr Quinn got a call to tell him that he made the winning bid and should contact Shane’s wife Victoria to collect the painting.

It was only on arrival that Declan learned the painting was made on the singer’s living room door, and what he bought was in fact Shane MacGowan’s actual living room door!

“So, after a few hours of discussing all sorts of music genres, I set about removing the door from its hinges,” said Declan.
“Shane said it was his first attempt at painting, and had only done one other painting of ‘Mary with a Machine Gun’, but wouldn’t part with that.”

Shane MacGowan and Declan

Declan found Shane and his wife Victoria the kindest hosts and made him feel welcome for hours, even inviting him back again.

The Newbridge resident said the painting is in safe storage in the UK, but he plans to bring it back to Ireland early in the New Year, and possibly put it on exhibition along with other artworks by celebrities from his collection.

Shane MacGowan pictured beside the painting on his living room door in 2008 when Declan came to collect it

“Sadly, Shane MacGowan passed away at the age of 65 on Thursday 30 November. Shane was one of Ireland’s greatest artistic legends, who will be spoken of hundreds of years from now, because of his worldly songwriting.”

He said; “I’ve always been a huge fan of Shane MacGowan! He was the voice of the Diaspora when I lived in London in the early 1990’s. I’ve met him many times when I lived in NYC and saw him many times in concert. I’m a little heartbroken at his passing.

“I knew he wasn’t well, but kinda figured since he lived this long in the face of adversity, he could live forever. But Shane has left us a lifetime of great music, poetry and, as it happens, art.

“I’m very honoured to own a piece of his creativity (allbeit, painted on a door) — but that’s just something that only Shane MacGowan could do and get away with.”

Shane's funeral took place today in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.