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Every year, on a night in February, The Irish World recognises the talents and achievements of Irish people in both Britain and Ireland in the annual Irish World Awards.

And we've recognized an awful lot of talent over the past 12 years since it's inception. We've had everyone, from Hollywood legend Richard Harris to humanitarians like Sir Bob Geldof, politicians like John Hume and Mo Mowlem, enterprising young businessmen like Paddy Power, sporting heroes like Barry McGuigan and Pat Jennings, young starlets like Andrea Corr and Sharlene Spiteri and then just celebrity guests like Jerry Hall, Bill Wyman and Stephen Fry who just turned up to see what all the fuss was about.

Michelle Gaffney presents John Hume with the prestigious Damien Gaffney Award

This year's awards took place on 28 February, 2006, at the Galtymore in London. Once again it was a star-studded ceremony, hosted by RTE's Colm Murray, and tickets were snapped up months in advance.

Longford-born Irish World founder Paddy Cowan said: 'We are proud to host this annual event - and recognise all the Irish talent that is out there. Each year the competition gets stronger because there are so many people out there who deserve to be recognised.'

Broadcaster Gloria Hunniford was presented with the award for Best TV Personality by Irish World Managing Director Paddy Cowan

The Irish World awarded the Conway Sisters with the Best Newcomer Award BEFORE their appearances on The X Factor

Following on from nine separate sports awards, which included trainer Tom Taaffe, the highly talented Donegal Tenors kicked off the musical entertainment - much to the delight of the audience.

It was then time for community, business and humanitarian awards, introduced by Irish Ambassador Daithi O'Ceallaigh, followed by the annual Damien Gaffney award in honour of the former Irish World editor who died six years ago. This year, the accolade went to RTE journalist Fergal Keane. Paddy Power of Ireland's biggest bookmaker Paddy Power Inc. was awarded Businessman of the Year for his huge achievement in building the company both in Ireland and the UK.

RTE's Colm Murray presents the Businessman of the Year Award to Paddy Power

John O'Shea and his work for the charity GOAL was presented with the Humanitarian Award, while other winners on the night included the up and coming young band Slainte (Now known as Bible Code Sunday's) for Best Band on the London circuit) and Kevin Logue for Best Country Male Newcomer. More established singers Ray Lynam and Glen Curtin also picked up lifetime achievement awards and delighted the audience with some classic numbers. Irish World's favourite Louise Morrissey took the Best Country Artist title.

Michelle Gaffney presents Fergal Keane with this year's Damien Gaffney Award

The Galtymore's Michael Byrne presented the award for original entertainer of the year to Micky Sands, and the prize for best country female newcomer went to Helen McCabe. Don Mescall, picked up the best pop artist award and entertained the crowd with some lively numbers.

Author Ronan Bennett received a literary award, and former Eurovision winner Linda Martin who was honoured as international TV personality. Best actor went to the affable Con O'Neill.

Hosts Colm Murray and Mick O'Hare with ex-Rolling Stones Bill Wyman and X Factor's Louis Walsh

Book a table at the Irish World Award…you never know who you might end up sitting next to.

Paddy Cowan added: "We have been delighted to present awards to some of the leading Irish entertainers, writers, politicians and sportsmen. A special thanks must go to our sponsors the Bank of Ireland, Setanta and Flynn's Bar and Diners, who help us create such a highlight in the Irish calendar."

The Irish World Awards 2007 will coincide with our newspaper's 20th Anniversary. So it will be an extra special awards ceremony, with extra special guests, plus friends old and new, ready to make next year's awards the biggest and best ever.

Tickets will be on sale at the end of the year, so watch this space for details. We will be adding video clips of previous award ceremonies in the week's to come, so you can listen to Richard Harris' famous acceptance speech, to Sir Bob Geldof's heartfelt thank you to the Irish community in Britain, plus many many more, so be sure to keep returning to the Irish World Awards page.