The first Irish act to ever claim two separate Mercury Prize nominations, Villagers will play Dublin's Vicar Street on December 17th next.

The second Villagers album {Awayland}, released last January, is among the 12 nominees for the Mercury Prize - the award given to the best British or Irish album of the year. Villagers' debut release Becoming A Jackal was also among the nominees upon its release in 2010.

Speaking of the nod, Conor O'Brien said: "We are surprised and honoured to be nominated for the Mercury Prize with {Awayland}; we put a lot of love into this album and the attention that this will afford it is currently warming the cockles no end."

Tickets for Villagers' Vicar Street show are on sale now, priced at €25.