Springsteen describes Nenagh's Shane MacGowan as 'one of my all-time favorite writers'

Among those to pay tribute to Shane MacGowan, who died last Thursday following a long illness was Bruce Springsteen.

The Boss took time off to visit Shane at his Dublin home when he was here for a series of concerts.

In a Facebook post, The Boss said: "Over here on E Street, we are heartbroken over the death of Shane MacGowan.

Shane was one of my all-time favorite writers. The passion and deep intensity of his music and lyrics is unmatched by all but the very best in the rock and roll canon.

"I was fortunate to spend a little time with Shane and his lovely wife Victoria the last time we were in Dublin. He was very ill, but still beautifully present in his heart and spirit.

"His music is timeless and eternal. I don’t know about the rest of us, but they’ll be singing Shane’s songs 100 years from now."

- Bruce Springsteen