The nominees have been announced for the Choice Music Prize, the award which recognises the Best Irish Album of the Year.
The shortlist of 10 artists has been chosen by a panel of 12 Irish music media professionals.
The 10 nominees are:
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'
The winner will be announced at the Choice Music Prize event in Vicar Street, Dublin on Wednesday 28 February.
Tickets for the award ceremony go on sale on Monday 22 January, priced €25.
Full details of the nominees who will be playing at the ceremony will be announced later this month.
The winning act will receive €10,000 in prize money and a specially-commissioned award.
Julie Feeney won the inaugural Choice Music Prize last year for her debut album '13 Songs'.
