Which is the best Irish band?

14:10 17 March 2010

A new poll has named the Most Standout Irish band in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

Taking the top slot is Dublin-based rockers U2, with an overwhelming 68% of the votes.

Over 2,000 people were asked to name their favourite Irish group by PRS for Music, the organisation that collects royalties on behalf of composers and songwriters.

The notorious quartet, which was initially a quintet, formed over 33 years ago under the original name ‘Feedback’.

They have since gone on to sell over 170 million albums, producing 12 studio albums and picking up a record-breaking 22 Grammy awards along the way.

The research by PRS for music also showed that U2's 'The Joshua Tree' is the ninth most owned album on the UK public's iPods.

Irish pop group sensation Westlife claimed second place with 10.5% of the votes while, 'Van The Man', George Ivan Morrison came in third.

The Belfast Cowboy, Van Morrison, who kicked off his music career in the 1950s playing a range of instruments in several Irish show bands, subsequently gained 10% of the votes.

Boyzone and The Cranberries finished in fourth and fifth place respectively.  

In total, the five bands have collectively sold well over 340 million albums.

After the sudden passing of Boyzone member Stephen Gately at the end of last year, 'Brother', the band's first release for 12 years, topped the UK album charts at No.1.

As well as being St. Patrick's Day, March 17 would have marked his 34th birthday.

Commenting on the results, Elis Rich, chairman of PRS for Music, said: "St. Patrick's Day acts as a platform to celebrate the culture of Ireland, and of course acts as a worldwide celebration of a nation that has given us so many musical prodigies. It seems only right that we celebrate their talent."

The winning top five:

1. U2  - 68%
2. Westlife - 10.5%
3. Van Morrison - 10%
4. Boyzone -7.5%
5. The Cranberries - 4%