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Nov 13, 2026

ALBUM OUT NOW, 20TH CENTURY PADDY – THE SONGS OF SHANE MACGOWAN FEATURING NEW SINGLE HOZIER & JESSIE BUCKLEY’S REIMAGINING OF “FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK”

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD ‘20TH CENTURY PADDY – THE SONGS OF SHANE MACGOWAN’ HERE
LISTEN/DOWNLOAD ‘FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK’ HERE
WATCH ‘FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO HERE

Today marks the worldwide release of 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, an expansive 36 track tribute album celebrating the indelible lyrical poetry, punk spirit, and storytelling genius of Shane MacGowan including a captivating new rendition of “Fairytale of New York,” uniting Grammy nominated singer songwriter Hozier and Oscar winning actor and singer Jessie Buckley.

Photo Credit: Jake Turney

Widely revered as one of the greatest songwriting achievements of all time, “Fairytale of New York” holds sacred cultural real estate. Stepping into the shoes of Shane MacGowan and Kirsty MacColl is a monumental artistic undertaking, one that Hozier and Jessie Buckley approach not as imitation, but as living reverence. Recorded with cinematic warmth and grit, Hozier’s soulful, grounded voice trades verses with Jessie Buckley’s fierce emotional resonance, capturing the tragic romance, stinging bitterness, and bruised tenderness at the beating heart of the masterpiece.

“When I first heard that this project was being put together and that of all songs featured I might end up tackling ‘Fairytale of New York’, I’ll admit to feeling somewhat daunted by the prospect.  It is such a beloved song in Ireland it can seem as though some part of it belongs to the island as a whole.  

Shane MacGowan is one of those rare artists that was even in his lifetime held in something of a mythologised light. His work is so intimately woven into the tapestry of our country’s musical canon and so definitive of a mode of musical being that it is truly foundational for so much that has followed. It was an honour to be asked to contribute to the record, and indeed to be trusted with this song.  

Reaching out to Jessie Buckley out of the blue with the impossible ask of joining me on this recording is likely the most brass my neck has ever exhibited. Jessie was utterly skybound at the time, moving at a right angle to the earth and about to break the sound barrier, all while caring for a newborn baby and carrying every ounce of it all with a lightness of being that would put any tour-weary musician to shame. In the busy aftermath of winning the Oscar for Best Actress for her incredible performance in Hamnet, Jessie still somehow managed to make time for this duet, bringing every ounce of her grace, energy and talent to the studio in London. To sing with her on this track, and to do so for such a good cause in aid of Dublin’s Simon Community has been an immense joy.”

– Hozier

“To step into the very studio that Shane, Kirsty and the Pogues recorded “Fairytale of New York” and to sing this eternal song of all our hearts, full of hope and humanity was pure joy. When Hozier, one of Ireland’s greatest artists and souls asked me to be part of it, I felt like the luckiest woman in the world. What a pleasure! What a song! What a gift to get to sing this story!” 

– Jessie Buckley

“This album is the most eclectic, extraordinary and exciting thing that has ever existed in the known Universe.  It brings together an astonishing array of artists, from the wild and wonderful Japanese Pinch of Snuff to the wayward and worldly American Tom Waits and everything in between, with thirty six beautiful and brilliant interpretations of the songs of Shane Mac Gowan.  He would be humbled and tickled and thrilled, as am I.  Bless you all who took part, and may you never walk alone.”

– Victoria Mary Clarke

Honouring Shane MacGowan’s legacy, artist proceeds will be donated to Dublin Simon Community to provide lifesaving housing and healthcare for those experiencing homelessness.

The 36 track album brings together a remarkable lineup of global icons and contemporary voices including:

Hozier and Jessie Buckley – “Fairytale of New York”
Bruce Springsteen – “A Rainy Night in Soho”
U2 – “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”
The Libertines – “Sayonara”
Primal Scream – “A Pair of Brown Eyes”
Dropkick Murphys – “The Body of an American”
Steve Earle – “If I Should Fall From Grace With God”
Kingfishr – “The Sunnyside of the Street”
David Gray – “The Old Main Drag”
Amble – “The Snake With the Eyes of Garnet”

And many more…

Whether through thunderous anthems or desolate, piano led ballads, each arrangement illuminates how Shane MacGowan radically redefined music and gave poetry to the marginalised and the underdog.

20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan is available now on:

Deluxe Bookpack (featuring liner notes, artists’ contributions, Shane’s drawings and memorabilia)
2 CD 
3 LP Vinyl
Digital Download & Streaming across all major platforms
“Fairytale of New York” by Hozier & Jessie Buckley is available on all digital streaming platforms today, accompanied by an official visualiser.

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Oct 30, 2026

GLEN HANSARD CELEBRATED THE SONGWRITING OF SHANE MACGOWAN WITH HIS INTERPRETATION OF “BOTTLE OF SMOKE”

Today marks the release of Glen Hansard’s performance of “Bottle of Smoke,” featured as part of the forthcoming tribute project 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan.

Recorded in October 2024 & released with the full blessing and support of Glen’s family and estate, the release stands as a celebration of the profound artistic bond and personal friendship shared between the two Irish icons.

In keeping with Shane and Glen’s unwavering dedication to social causes throughout their life, 50% of the proceeds generated from the album will be donated to The Dublin Simon Community, supporting their ongoing work to end homelessness across Ireland.

“I’m eternally grateful to Glen for being such an incredible friend to both myself and Shane and for being such an integral part of making this album possible. He did a magnificent version of Bottle of Smoke and he infused it with all of the soul and spirit and passion that he was famous for. I know that Shane adored Glen and admired his work and was hoping that Glen would produce an album for him. His passing is a profound loss to the music world and to humanity in general but it is some comfort to have his voice and presence and beauty on this album which would not have been made without him” – Victoria Mary Clarke

Originally written for the album “If I Should Fall From Grace With God”, “Bottle of Smoke” has long stood as one of the most joyful entries in Shane’s songbook. Glen Hansard’s rendition honors that untamed energy while bringing a rich, emotional resonance that reflects his own extraordinary body of work.

“As we approach the winter months, Dublin Simon Community is hugely grateful to Victoria, Rubyworks and the many artists who have contributed their time and talents to 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan. The funds raised through this project will help us support people experiencing homelessness through the winter months.
This beautiful recording by Glen Hansard of the classic ‘Bottle of Smoke’ is especially poignant because it brings together the legacy of two artists who cared deeply about people experiencing homelessness. Shane MacGowan was a long-time supporter of Dublin Simon, while Glen dedicated much of his time and talent to helping others through his music. He was also the driving force behind the Dublin Simon Christmas Eve Busk on Grafton Street, an event that has become a symbol of generosity, community and hope for so many people.
Through this very special interpretation of ‘Bottle of Smoke’, their voices continue to make a difference long after they have left us. The proceeds from this project will help support people rebuilding their lives after homelessness, which speaks to the enduring warmth, generosity and legacy of both Shane and Glen.” – Catherine Kenny, CEO, Dublin Simon Community

“Bottle of Smoke” by Glen Hansard is available today across all platforms.

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Oct 09, 2026

IRISH POWERHOUSE LYRA REINVENTS SHANE MACGOWAN’S CLASSIC “STREETS OF SORROW / BIRMINGHAM SIX” FOR TRIBUTE ALBUM 20TH CENTURY PADDY

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD HERE

Irish singer songwriter LYRA has unveiled her deeply emotive rendition of “Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six”, featured on the star studded tribute project, 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan ahead of the full album launch on November 13, 2026, LYRA’s interpretation infuses the iconic track with a haunting atmosphere and cinematic vocal power.

Originally co written by Shane MacGowan and Terry Woods for the 1988 album If I Should Fall from Grace with God, in LYRA’s hands, the track shifts from a fiery folk punk anthem into a poignant, ethereal track. Known for her soaring vocals, bold production, and emotional delivery, the Cork born artist brings a fresh, contemporary intensity to Shane MacGowan’s uncompromising lyricism.

“Being part of this album is a huge honour. Shane had this extraordinary ability to put beauty, pain and defiance into a song, and being invited to help celebrate that as an Irish artist feels very special.

What drew me to Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six was the way it’s written. It opens with this beautiful, sorrowful lament, and then there’s a real change in energy. Suddenly there’s fire in it. I loved that you could go from something so vulnerable to something so powerful within one song. It’s an unusual journey, and I found that really exciting. I’ve never been very good at doing things the conventional way, so there was something about it that just felt right for me.

With my version, I wanted that power to feel like people coming together. I wanted it to become an anthem you could put your whole heart into singing, with everyone beside you doing the same. There’s pain in this song, and you have to respect that, but there’s also such strength in standing up for something you believe in. I wanted to capture people supporting each other, celebrating each other and saying, I’m here, I’m with you. That feeling can give you goosebumps, and that’s what I was reaching for.

I’m in the middle of making my second album at the moment, so there’s a lot of singing, a lot of tea and a lot going on in my head! Having a number one debut was beyond anything I could have imagined, and now I’m figuring out where I want to take things next. I’m excited to let people hear what I’ve been working on.

To have this release be part of that time in my life is very special. If you’d told the girl singing away in school plays that she’d have her name on a record alongside some of these artists, she’d never have believed you.” – LYRA

20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan is a 36 track tribute album celebrating the life and genius of Shane MacGowan. Described as a sonic love letter to Shane MacGowan’s catalog, the compilation features an outstanding lineup of international icons and contemporary artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, U2, Tom Waits, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Damien Dempsey, Lisa O’Neill, The Murder Capital and many more.

LYRA’s single joins a collection that spans five decades of influence, showcasing Shane MacGowan not only as a poet, but as one of the greatest songwriters of the 20th century.

“Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six” is available to stream on all major streaming platforms today. The full compilation 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan releases worldwide on Friday, November 13, 2026 on 3LP vinyl, 2CD, Deluxe Bookpack and digital formats.

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Aug 28, 2026

U2 HONOUR SHANE MACGOWAN WITH REIMAGINED COVER OF “YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH” FOR TRIBUTE ALBUM “20TH CENTURY PADDY – THE SONGS OF SHANE MACGOWAN”

Proceeds from the landmark tribute album to support the Dublin Simon Community in memory of Shane MacGowan.

DUBLIN, IRELAND, 28 AUGUST 2026 – Rubyworks have today released a new recording by U2 of Shane MacGowans’ high energy track “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”. The powerful new interpretation features as a standout track on the upcoming tribute album, 20th Century 

Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, set for release on November 13, 2026, via Rubyworks. 

Listen to “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” here. 

Curated in close partnership with Victoria Mary Clarke and Siobhan MacGowan, the album takes its title from a project Shane MacGowan himself had long envisioned. The collection brings together an international assembly of music talent, including Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, Tom Waits, The Libertines, and Glen Hansard, to celebrate the genius of one of Ireland’s greatest lyricists.

[Photo credit: Anton Corbijn] 

“Shane MacGowan was full of contradictions—and that’s where the truth of him lived. He could be precise about what mattered and gloriously careless about everything else. If that sounds like a kind of performance, maybe it was. But as Oscar Wilde put it, “a mask tells us more than a face. 

The crooked grin, the wildness, the old-Ireland inflections—they weren’t disguises so much as signals. A way of placing himself in a lineage that ran from the pub storyteller to the punk stage. Somewhere between John B. Keane and The Clash, he found a voice that felt both ancient and completely of its time. 

What he did with that voice was remarkable. He pulled together threads that shouldn’t quite fit—folk tradition, political memory, gallows humour, romance—and made them sound inevitable. 

His songs sound like they have always existed. He dissolved himself into them and, in the process, created the Shane MacGowan myth. The details of his life barely surface, but you learn exactly what he cared about. And that’s the point.” – The Edge 

Originally released in 1988, “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” captures Shane MacGowan’s signature blend of punk energy and poetic wit. In their new rendition, U2 channels that spirit while infusing the track with their signature driving basslines, textured guitar work, and unmistakable arena scale dynamic. 

In keeping with Shane MacGowan’s lifelong advocacy, at least 50% of all artist royalties from 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community. The funds will support people experiencing homelessness across Dublin, a cause Shane MacGowan championed throughout his life. 

20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan will be available across digital streaming platforms, pre order is available now for physical format, a 2CD, a Deluxe 3LP and a deluxe Vinyl featuring a 60 page book of archival photographs and liner notes.

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Jul 31, 2026

IRISH INDIE FOLK PHENOMENON KINGFISHR RELEASE ‘THE SUNNYSIDE OF THE STREET’ FROM HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ALBUM “20TH CENTURY PADDY – THE SONGS OF SHANE MACGOWAN”

The tribute project celebrates the timeless genius of one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters, brought to life by an emotive new reinterpretation from Kingfishr.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD HERE

DUBLIN, IE – Irish indie folk powerhouse, Kingfishr who have firmly established themselves as one of the most exciting breakthrough acts in modern music have officially released their stirring new single, ‘The Sunnyside of the Street.’ The track is a standout contribution to the upcoming tribute album, ‘20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan’, honouring the legendary Irish singer songwriter, Shane MacGowan. Bringing their signature emotional depth to Shane MacGowan’s iconic storytelling, Kingfishr delivers a version that is both deeply respectful and uniquely their own.

‘20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan’ is a curated, fierce collection dedicated to celebrating the enduring genius of the legendary Irish singer songwriter, Shane MacGowan. Bringing together an array of exceptional musical talent, the project serves a powerful cause while shining a fresh light on Shane MacGowan’s poetic storytelling. The album acts as a cultural bridge, proving that Shane MacGowan’s grit and literary brilliance continues to heavily influence and inspire the next generation of global music icons.

Honouring Shane Macgowan’s lifelong legacy 50% of artist royalties from the album will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community who actively provide life saving housing and healthcare initiatives for people experiencing homelessness across Dublin.

The album navigates Shane MacGowan’s entire creative arc, moving from the high velocity punk of his early years to the haunting, literate depths of his later work. 

Here is the full tracklist of iconic songs:

Amble – The Snake With the Eyes of Garnet
Bob Geldof – St. John Of Gods
Bruce Springsteen – A Rainy Night in Soho
Camille O’Sullivan – You’re The One
Cronin – London You’re A Lady
Damien Dempsey – Sally MacLennane
David Gray – The Old Main Drag
David Keenan – The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn
Dropkick Murphys – The Body of an American
Garron Noone – White City
Glen Hansard – Bottle of Smoke
Hozier & Jessie Buckley – Fairytale of New York
Jimmy Artache – USA
Johnny Mac and The Faithful – Fiesta
Johnny Depp & Imelda May – Haunted
Kate Moss – Lonesome Highway
Kingfishr – The Sunnyside of the Street 
Liam Ó Maonlaí – The Broad Majestic Shannon
Lisa Moorish & Another Day – Rain Street
Lisa O’Neill – Dark Streets of London
LYRA – Streets of Sorrow / Birmingham Six
Madra Salach – Turkish Song of the Damned
Moya Brennan – Mother Mo Chroi
Mundy – Victoria
Picture This – Aisling
Pinch of Snuff – Donegal Express
Primal Scream – A Pair of Brown Eyes
Steve Earle – If I Should Fall From Grace With God
The High Kings – Streams of Whiskey
The Jesus And Mary Chain – I’ll Be Your Handbag
The Libertines – Sayonara 
The Murder Capital – The Song With No Name
The Pogues – Gabrielle
Tom Creagh – Paddy Public Enemy No. 1
Tom Waits – Summer In Siam
U2 – Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

The release is part of a stratospheric, record breaking year for Kingfishr. The band’s smash single ‘Killeagh’ became a certified cultural phenomenon, spending 17 weeks at #1 on the Irish charts, while their debut album ‘Halcyon’ also debuted at #1. The band has spent the year playing to packed rooms worldwide. They completed their first ever headline tour of Australia alongside a long list of sold out UK dates, including two nights at London’s O2 Academy Brixton. In addition to playing to over 100,000 fans at massive outdoor Irish shows, they hit major European festivals including Pinkpop, Hurricane, Southside, and Rock Werchter. Kingfishr have just begun their completely sold out US headline tour starting July 29, which features a landmark performance at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles on August 8. Looking ahead, they have just announced three massive Irish outdoor shows for Summer 2027, set to play to 90,000+ fans across Belfast, Dublin, and Limerick.

“We picked Sunnyside of the Street because of how surprisingly sad the lyrics are when you focus in on them. We thought the song deserved to be shown in a light that reflects that. Shane made an incredible contribution to music and it’s an honour to be included in the project with so many talented people, especially given the cause it serves.” – Kingfishr

As ‘20th Century Paddy’ prepares to introduce Shane MacGowan’s timeless songbook to a new era, Kingfishr’s contribution stands as a powerful testament to the enduring, cross generational impact of Shane MacGowans songwriting.

WATCH THE LYRIC VIDEO:

‘The Sunnyside of the Street’ is available now on all major streaming platforms.

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