The Dubliners won a lifetime achievement award at the 2004 Meteor Music Awards, held last night at Dublin's Point Theatre.
The stars of Irish and international music came out for the Irish music industry's annual bash, including Lionel Richie, The Corrs, Sugababes, The Thrills, Westlife, Hothouse Flowers and Counting Crows. Awards were presented by Miss World, Rosanna Davidson, I'm A Celebrity . . . winner, Kerry McFadden, actor Patrick Bergin, footballer Niall Quinn and Irish rugby international, Denis Hickey. The show was compered by comedian Dara O'Briain.
The Dubliners weren't the only veterans to be honoured for their achievements; Sister Stanislaus Kennedy, founder of Focus Ireland, was presented with a special humanitarian award, for her work with homeless people. The award was given by Sharon Corr. Sister Stan also received €100,000 which will be donated to her chosen charity.
Dave Fanning won an industry award, which was presented to him by U2's Larry Mullen. In a videotaped tribute to the DJ who "discovered" them, U2 performed a version of The Kinks' David Watts, changing the title to Dave Fanning. It it not expected to appear on their new album, due out later this year.
Dubliners were also big winners in other categories. Dublin band The Frames won the best Irish band award, presented to them by Joe Elliott of British rock band, Def Leppard. The Thrills, also from Dublin, won Best Album for their debut album, So Much For The City, which topped the charts both here and in the UK. The band were in the US, working on the follow-up to their California-flavoured debut. Solo singer Paddy Casey, who has sold more than 50,000 copies of his second album, Living, won Best Irish Male, while Damien Dempsey took two awards for Best Folk/Trad and best Country/Roots act.
Traditional singer Cara Dillon, from Dungiven, Co Derry, was one of only two women to win an award, Best Irish Female - the other was international pop diva, Beyoncé.
Ryan Tubridy, 2FM's "young fogey", won Best Irish DJ, while Westlife surprised no one by winning Best Irish Pop Act. New band awards went to Future Kings Of Spain and Republic Of Loose. The 2004 Meteor Music Awards will be shown on Network 2 tomorrow at 9 p.m.
WHO WON WHAT
IRISH
Best Radio DJ: Ryan Tubridy
Best Band: The Frames
Best Pop Act: Westlife
Best Album: So Much For The City - The Thrills
Best Female: Cara Dillon
Best Irish Male: Paddy Casey
Best Folk/Trad Act: Damien Dempsey
Best Country/Roots Artist: Damien Dempsey
Best New Act: Future Kings Of Spain
Hope for 2004: Republic Of Loose
Industry Award: Dave Fanning
Lifetime Achievement Award: The Dubliners
Humanitarian Award: Sister Stanislaus Kennedy
INTERNATIONAL
Best Female Singer: Beyoncé
Best Male Singer: Justin Timberlake
Best Group: The Darkness
Best Album: Elephant - The White Stripes
Best Live Performance: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Slane
