U2 conquer Irish music awards

Bono pays tribute to the entire U2 'team'

Irish rock legends U2 came to Belfast and conquered yet another awards ceremony when they walked away with three gongs at the Irish Music Awards.

Bono scooped the Best Male Singer award and along with his three band mates claimed the Best Band and Best Live Gig by an Irish Act Award.

Dundalk group the Corrs also had a successful evening picking up the Best Pop Act, while drummer Caroline was presented with the Rory Gallagher Musician Award.

A star studded audience of over 500 were entertained by comperes Patrick Kielty and Christine Bleakley at the BBC's Blackstaff studios on Thursday in Belfast.

Best Pop Act: Andrea and Caroline Corr accept the award

UK band Suede launched their comeback to mainstream music with a live performance while Downpatrick band Ash opened the evening with a rousing rendition of their hit single Burn Baby Burn.

The four piece outfit also collected two awards on the night, best album for Free All Angels and best single with Shining Light.

DJ David Holmes received the Special Contribution to Music Culture Award while pop quintet Westlife, who are to perform in Belfast's Odyssey arena in June took the Outstanding Achievement in Popular Music Award.

Former Divine Comedy frontman, Neil Hannon was awarded Best Songwriter while Gemma Hayes ousted the likes of Andrea Corr, Samantha Mumba and Juliet Turner to clinch the Best Female Singer award.

Radiohead were awarded the top Live Gig by an International Act for their performance at Belfast's Odyssey, while Phil Kieran took the honours in the Dance Award category.

Corrs manager John Hughes received an Industry award, while David Kitt was presented with the IMRO Emerging Songwriter Award and Londonderry singer Cara Dillon won the Roots award.

The Irish Music Awards will be broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland on Friday 26 April at 2235 BST and on BBC Choice at 1900 BST on Sunday.