LISA HANNIGAN, JAPE, and Bell X1 have all been nominated for the Meteor Choice Music Prize for the Irish album of the year.

The shortlist, which was announced this afternoon, includes And So I Watch You From Afar, Cashier No 9 and Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands.

Japanese Popstars, Pugwash, Tieranniesaur and We Cut Corners have also made the shortlist for the prize, which has been awarded annually since 2005.

Paddy Power have installed Belfast band Cashier No 9 the favourites to win the prize – closely followed by ASIWYFA and Tieranniesaur.

The prize, which was set up by Irish Times music journalist Jim Carroll and industry manager Dave Reid, is designed to highlight and promote the best of Irish music. The winning act receives €10,000.

The shortlist was drawn up by a panel of people who work in the Irish music industry, including Nadine O’Regan of RTE/Phantom FM, Stuart Clark of Hot Press and Lauren Murphy of the Irish Times.

The ceremony and concert will take place in the Olympia Theatre in Dublin on Thursday 8 March. Tickets will go on sale from Friday.

The full list of nominees:

• Bell X1 – Bloodless Coup
• ASIWYFA – Gangs
• Cashier No 9 – To The Death of Fun
• Lisa Hannigan – Passenger
• Japanese Popstars – Controlling Your Allegiance
• Jape – Ocean of Frequency
• Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands – Golden Syrup
• Pugwash – The Olympus Sound
• Tieranniesaur – Tieranniesaur
• We Cut Corners – Today I Realised I Could Go Home Backwards

Choice Music Prize winners to donate their €10,000 award to charity >