Irish Choice Music Prize winner announced

The Irish Choice Music Prize (Ireland's equivalent of the Mercury Music Prize) has tonight been awarded to The Divine Comedy for 'Victory for the Comic Muse'.

'Victory for the Comic Muse' is the ninth album release for The Divine Comedy, which is essentially singer-songwriter Neil Hannon. The album was reportedly recorded in London in the space of two weeks with 28 musicians involved at its peak. The album title reflects the name of The Divine Comedy's first album released in 1990 - 'Fanfare for the Comic Muse'.

This was a surprise winner - not the bookies favourite - and Neil Hannon was speechless as he collected the prize (a cheque for 10,000 Euros and a commemorative trophy). He'd said earlier on in the evening that he had "a snowball in hell's chance" of winning.

12 judges from the Irish media chose from a shortlist of 10:

Director - 'We Thrive On Big Cities'
The Divine Comedy - 'Victory for the Comic Muse'
Duke Special - 'Songs From the Deep Forest'
The Immediate - 'In Towers & Clouds'
David Kitt - 'Not Fade Away'
Messiah J & The Expert - 'Now This I Have To Hear'
Fionn Regan - 'The End Of History'
Republic of Loose - 'Aaagh!'
Si Schroeder - 'Coping Mechanisms'
Snow Patrol - 'Eyes Open'

8 of the nominees performed live at the award ceremony at Vicar Street in Dublin (Snow Patrol and Fionn Regan were unable to appear as they are currently on tour in America and Australia respectively).

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