IRMA Honours 2006

Friday 31st March 2006 - CityWest Co.Dublin, Ireland

Friends, family and a host of stars turned out to pay homage to one of Ireland’s greatest music legends, Bob Geldof, tonight, Friday 31st March.  The singer, credited with putting Ireland on the musical map, was a fore-runner for a new genre of music- New Wave and was responsible for Irelands’ first ever number one Irish hit in the UK with Rat Trap.

IRMA Honours is the highest and most distinguished accolade that anyone from the world of music can ever hope to achieve in this country. This priceless evening, sponsored by MasterCard, attracted hundreds of guests from the world of entertainment and music.

‘It was a unanimous decision by Irma this year to honour Bob and his contribution to music. He is a legend both nationally and internationally. We are delighted to be able to honour Bob tonight’. Willie Kavanagh , chairman IRMA .

The night kicked off with guests arriving on the red carpet at CityWest. Later in the evening a tribute video was shown to the assembled audience. Participants in the video included Bono, Ronnie Drew, Mick Jagger, Christy Moore, Gaye Byrne, Daniel Ryan from The Thrills, fellow band member Pete Briquette, Phil Chevron, Barry Devlin, Shane MacGowan, Larry Gogan, Gavin Friday, Dustin, Leslie Dowdall, Annie Lennox, Elton John, Sting and Pete Townsend. An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern also sent a message of goodwill to the rock star.

Bob performed 10 songs on the night – including 'Indifferent', 'Banana Republic', 'I Don’t Like Mondays' and 'Rat Trap'. This was preceded by the presentation of his award by DJ Dave Fanning. The award, a bronze sculpture, was designed by artist Tanya Nyegaard especially for the occasion.  

Three very worthwhile charities will benefit from the event, with proceeds divided among Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children Crumlin, The Chernobyl Children's Project and IRMA Trust. As part of the fund raising activity, two very special items went under the hammer – A bow diamond necklace designed by supermodel Helena Christensen created by Paul Sheeran Jewellers, and an opportunity to have your portrait painted by one of Ireland’s hippest artists, Rasher.