The annual award ceremony, now in its sixth year, will be hosted by comedian and television presenter Patrick Kielty for the second time.
Of the 17 awards to be presented, the public are invited to vote in six, The Hope for 2006 will be voted for by 2FM listeners and the remaining awards will be decided by representatives of the Irish music industry.
The event takes place at The Point Theatre on Thursday, 2nd February 2006 and tickets will only be available to win through competitions in newspapers, on radio, tv, in Meteor stores or by texting and online voting. Those left ticketless can watch the awards on RTE2 on Sunday February 5.

To cast a vote in the categories marked as a public vote, start by texting VOTE to 085-7114444 for a list of keywords and categories. Voting is open to customers of all Irish mobile networks and will be charged at standard text rates. Online voting will be available by visiting www.meteor.ie. Everyone who votes will be in with a chance to win a ticket to this year's Meteor Awards.

Nominees For The 2006 Meteor Ireland Music Awards

Best Irish DJ : PUBLIC VOTE
Alison Curtis
Ray D'Arcy
Tom Dunne
Damien Farrelly
Larry Gogan
Jenny Huston
Best Irish Band : PUBLIC VOTE
BellX1
The Chalets
The Corrs
Hal
Turn
U2
Best Irish Male : PUBLIC VOTE
Joe Chester
Dave Couse
Damien Dempsey
Tommy Fleming
Christy Moore
John Spillane
Best Irish Female: PUBLIC VOTE
Mary Black
Gemma Hayes
Roisin Murphy
Sinead O'Connor
Sharon Shannon
Claire Sproule
Best Irish Album:
BellX1 - "Flock"
Dave Couse and the Impossible - "The World Should Know"
Damien Dempsey - "Shots"
Frank and Walters - "Souvenirs"
Turn - "Turn"
U2 - "How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb"
Best Irish Pop Act: PUBLIC VOTE
Conway Sisters
Ronan Keating
Brian McFadden
Tabby
Westlife
Zoo
Best International Male
Beck
Jamie Cullum
David Gray
Jack Johnson
Rufus Wainwright
Kayne West
Best International Female
Tracy Chapman
Kelly Clarkson
Alicia Keys
Katie Melua
Gwen Stefani
KT Tunstall
Best Folk/Trad
Altan
Kila
Lasairfhiona
Christy Moore
Sharon Shannon
John Spillane
Best International Album
Anthony and the Johnsons - I Am A Bird Now
Coldplay - X & Y
Depeche Mode -
Playing the Angel
Mylo - Destroy Rock and Roll
The Arcade Fire - Funeral
The Kaiser Chiefs - Employment
Best Live Performance: PUBLIC VOTE
Coldplay - Marlay Park
Flaming Lips - Electric Picnic
Green Day - Oxegen
Elton John - RDS
Scissor Sisters - Lansdowne Road
U2 - Croke Park
Best International Group
Franz Ferdinand
Gorillaz
Kaiser Chiefs
Pussycat Dolls
The Arcade Fire
White Stripes
Best Irish New Act
8 Ball
Humanzi
Leya
Red Organ Serpent Sound
The Immediate
Delorentos
Additional awards including Hope for 2006 as voted by 2FM listeners, The Humanitarian Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and The Industry Award will be presented.
What do you think of the nominations? Who will you vote for? Have your say on the Hot Press messageboards!