2005 in Irish music

• On January 4, Ian Brown was confirmed for Oxegen 2005.[1]

• On February 8, The Killers were confirmed for Oxegen 2005.[2]
• On February 10, Keane were confirmed for Oxegen 2005.[3]
• At the 2005 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 13, U2's critically acclaimed international hit single "Vertigo" won three awards: "Best Rock Song", "Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal" and "Best Short Form Music Video".
• On February 14, The Frames were confirmed for Oxegen 2005.[4]

• On March 3, Green Day were confirmed as Saturday night headliners of Oxegen 2005.[5]
• On March 4 tickets for Oxegen 2005 went on sale as an appearance by Queens of the Stone Age was officially confirmed for the festival.[6]

• On June 11, Neil Diamond played a sold-out show at Lansdowne Road.
• On June 22, Coldplay played to a crowd of 20,000 at Marlay Park in Dublin.[7] They were supported by Morning Runner and Interpol.[8]
• 2005 saw U2 bringing their Vertigo Tour to Croke Park in Dublin for three dates in the summer, (June 24, 25 and 27) following the release of the band's long-awaited eleventh studio album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb the previous year. U2 broke Irish box office marks with ticket sales for these Croke Park concerts, after more than 240,000 tickets were sold in record time.[9]

• July marked the 20th anniversary of Live Aid, an event which Bob Geldof had played a significant role in organising. In an attempt to highlight the growing need to cancel Third World debt, Geldof, Bono, Elton John and many others in the music industry campaigned for justice in the build-up to the G8 Conference and Summit in Scotland, leading to the organisation of Live 8 on July 2. The event, which was only announced by Geldof on May 30, was on a much larger scale than Live Aid, with 10 simultaneous concerts in 9 different countries broadcast live around the world. However, unlike its predecessor, its main aim was to highlight inequalities as opposed to raising money. U2 opened the Hyde Park concert with their rendition of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" alongside Paul McCartney. Snow Patrol performed later.[10]
• Oasis played a sold-out show in Marlay Park, Dublin on Saturday July 16 or Sunday July 17.[11]

• Bud Rising came to Ireland for the first time in August 2005. The Chemical Brothers and Sonic Youth, supported by Mainline, played Marlay Park on August 19,[12] whilst Basement Jaxx, Underworld and Mylo played the same venue the following day. Pixies and Kings of Leon played Lansdowne Road on August 23 whilst Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand and Maroon 5 played the same venue the following day.[13]
• Arcade Fire were the surprise act at the newly expanded two-day Electric Picnic.

• Oxegen 2005 took place at Punchestown Racecourse in County Kildare on Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10. It was headlined by Green Day, Foo Fighters, New Order, James Brown, The Prodigy, Queens of the Stone Age and The Frames.

• Electric Picnic 2005 took place in Stradbally Estate, County Laois. It was headlined by Kraftwerk, The Flaming Lips, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Human League, Röyksopp, Mercury Rev, Fatboy Slim and Arcade Fire.

• Heineken Green Energy took place for the 10th year in 2005, featuring Beck and Paddy Casey.

• Bud Rising Summer Shows took place in Ireland for the first time in 2005. The gigs took place over four days in two different venues; Marlay Park and Lansdowne Road. Chemical Brothers played Marlay Park on August 19, whilst Basement Jaxx, Underworld and Mylo played the same venue the following day. Pixies and Kings of Leon played Lansdowne Road on August 23 whilst Scissor Sisters, Franz Ferdinand and Maroon 5 played the same venue the following day.[16]

• Live at the Marquee 2005 took place in the Cork Showgrounds between June 30 and July 17. Headlining acts included Brian Wilson, Aslan, Diana Ross, Al Green, Nick Cave, Tommy Tiernan, Damien Dempsey and Christy Moore.

• Slane 2005 was cancelled following the failure of headline act Eminem to co-operate with the organisers. His support act was due to have been 50 Cent.

The 2005 Meteor Awards were held on ???, 2005. Below are the winners:[17]

The Choice Music Prize did not exist this year.