EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin has opened an exhibition dedicated to The Pogues and the late Shane MacGowan which will run until the end of January 2024.
"They Gave The Walls A Talking": Honouring the Extraordinary Story of The Pogues and Shane MacGowan is a meticulously researched and poignant exhibition that has been months in the making.
Find out more about The Pogues' "They Gave The Walls A Talking" exhibition here.
Visitors will be able to explore the evolution of The Pogues, the rise of punk rock, and the role of the Irish diaspora on the British music scene – as well as the genesis of the marvelously iconic "Fairytale of New York".
"‘They Gave The Walls A Talking’: Honouring the Extraordinary Story of The Pogues and Shane MacGowan
This moving exhibition was developed in collaboration with Hot Press, Ireland's legendary music, entertainment, and pop culture magazine.
Featuring contributions from Siobhan MacGowan, Glen Hansard, Nick Cave, the producer of "Fairytale of New York" Steve Lillywhite, Imelda May, material from the Hot Press archive, from Shane’s family, and the family of the late Frank Murray, the band’s original manager, it is a must-see for music fans.
Speaking about the opening of "They Gave The Walls A Talking", EPIC said, "We had, of course, hoped that Shane MacGowan would be there for the opening. Sadly, however, on 30 November, it was announced that Ireland’s great song-poet had died. When the news was confirmed, we decided to pause the opening."
However, it seems all the more appropriate now to celebrate the songs and the music of The Pogues and to reflect on how the band – and their legendary lead singer and songwriter – became so widely loved and admired."
The unveiling of this exhibition follows the recent launch of EPIC’s Christmas campaign, which brought to life a renowned line from The Pogues’ "Fairytale of New York". In the chorus, Shane MacGowan has a standout lyric on which most listeners join in, “...the boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay….”
As an ode to Irish emigrants and Irish diaspora all over the world, EPIC created an NYPD choir and had them sing "Galway Bay". The result is a breathtaking rendition of this timeless Irish song, complemented by a music video that the Irish all over the world can resonate with.
About EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum was created to honor the Irish diaspora abroad and recognize the vital contributions and monumental impact Irish people have made worldwide. By combining personal emigrant perspectives with social and cultural context, visitors can understand why a person left Ireland and the beliefs and heritage they brought with them. The museum was voted Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction in 2019, 2020 & 2021.
Check out EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum's website for more information. Open 7 days a week, you can visit EPIC at Custom House Quay, Dublin 1. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
