Musician Sharon Shannon is to receive the "Lifetime Achievement Award" at this years Meteor Ireland Music Awards, details of which were released today.
The awards, which take place at the RDS Dublin on St Patrick's Day are now in their ninth year.
Shannon follows in the footsteps of The Dubliners, Clannad and The Pogues in receiving the Lifetime Achievement award. The accordionist, who hails from Co Clare, will be the youngest ever recipient of the award.
In 2008 the accordionist collaborated with singer Mundy on a cover of Steve Earle's
Galway Girl, a track which won Ireland's number one download single at last year's Meteor Awards.
Shannon has recorded and toured with a wide range of musicians including Sinead O'Connor, The Waterboys and Jackoson Browne and has had several number one albums, singles and DVDs in Ireland.
Overall nineteen Meteor awards are up for grabs and music fans can vote in eight categories including best Irish band and album.
As revealed by
Irish Timesjournalist and blogger Jim Carroll yesterday, a list of nominees leaked a day ahead of the office announcement.
According to the list, Fight Like Apes, The Script, Snow Patrol and The Blizzards are all nominated for the Best Irish Band award.
In addition, Mick Flannery, Damien Dempsey, Duke Special, David Holmes and Richard Egan of Jape are nominees in the Best Male award while Enya, Lisa Hannigan, Gemma Hayes, Imelda May, Tara Blaise, Camille O'Sullivan are all up for the Best Female award.
