Rock superstars U2 lead the way at last night's (02FEB06) Meteor Ireland Music Awards, snapping up three prizes.

The band scooped Best Irish Band, Best Live Performance and their LP HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB won Best Irish Album.

Legends The Pogues were presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Frontman SHANE MacGOWAN said after picking up the gong, "It is nice to be a legend when you are still alive. A lifetime achievement award is not part of any job really."

Performers at the Dublin ceremony included The Darkness, THE Sugababes, THE POGUES and Jamie Cullum.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Best Irish Female - Gemma Hayes

Best Irish Male - DAMIEN DEMPSEY

Best Irish Pop Act - Westlife

Best Irish Band - U2

Best Irish Album - U2, HOW TO DISMANTLE AN ATOMIC BOMB

Best Live Performance - U2, CROKE PARK

Best Folk/Trad - JOHN SPILLANE

Best Irish New Act - Humanzi

Best Irish DJ - RAY DARCY

Best International Album - Kaiser Chiefs, EMPLOYMENT

Best International Band - KAISER CHIEFS

Best International Male - Kanye West

Best International Female - Gwen Stefani

RTE 2FM Hope For 2006 - Laura Izibor

Lifetime Achievement Award - THE POGUES

Industry Award - BILL WHELAN

The Humanitarian Award - FATHER PETER McVERRY.