Bookies tip Ryan Tubridy for Áras or Dáil race

“He has the DNA, he has the interest,” said the Taoiseach.

The ex-RTÉ star has politics in his blood, with his grandfather Seán Tubridy serving two terms as a Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West between 1927 and 1939.

At a centenary event for the political party, the presenter said he goes to bed "dreaming some day” of reclaiming his grandfather’s Dáil seat.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute to Seán Tubridy at the gathering, saying: “Amongst our first TDs was Dr Seán Tubridy, a gaelgeoir of note but also a community doctor respected everywhere he went."

According to the Connacht Tribune, while speaking as part of a panel at the event, Tubridy said: “This bloody politics is coursing through my veins. I've got Andrews on one hand and Tubridy on the other.

“It's unavoidable,” he stated.

“I am fascinated by politics, fascinated by public service and fascinated by Fianna Fáil as a political party, the ups and downs, the slings and arrows.

“Some people go to the sporting ground and watch football. I follow politics.”

His maternal grandfather, Todd Andrews, is also steeped in political history as a veteran of the War of Independence.

Further down the family tree, Tubridy's uncles David and Niall Andrews both served as Fianna Fáil TDs, as well as his cousin Barry Andrews who was Minister of State before becoming an MEP. His cousin Chris Andrews was formerly a Fianna Fàil TD, but is now a senator for Sinn Féin.

Tubridy's grandfather, Todd Andrews, with Eamon De Valera, founder of Fianna Fáil.

While it's uncertain whether or not the former Late Late Show host was serious in his comment, the bookies have already started taking bets regarding the potential career switch, with Ladbrokes odds at 5/1 for him to run.

However, the bookmakers seem to believe the Dublin man will go even further and stick his name on the ballot for President, with odds of 3/1.

Those betting on it may be waiting some time for payout as it will be six years from now before another presidential election will take place following Catherine Connolly’s inauguration just last year.

Though, a Dáil run will be on the cards at an earlier date as the next general election must be held no later than January 2030.

When asked how he would feel about Mr Tubridy running for election, Taoiseach Micheál Martin commented: “I've always encouraged young people to participate in politics and people generally, so we need more people engaged in politics and participating.

“I don't know whether he was serious about that or not, but I do know that he's very conscious of his heritage and he's very conscious of his family background, which has been a very distinguished one," he explained.

The Taoiseach continued: "His grandfather Sean Tubridy was a very distinguished founding member of Fianna Fáil and TD at the very start of the party, from 1926, he would have been a member and then elected in subsequent general elections, and was a GP as well, and a person of considerable esteem.

“He has the DNA, he has the interest because I’ve read his books on John F Kennedy and on the Kennedy family, and of course he’s always had an interest in current affairs. So, yeah, I mean, up to Ryan."

It wouldn’t be the first time a public personality ran for Fianna Fail, with former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin running, and subsequently pulling out of last year’s presidential election after it was exposed that he failed to pay back a former tenant around €3,000.

His dropping out led to the party having no candidate in the election.

Additionally, TV presenter Gráinne Seoige ran for them in the 2024 general election for Galway West, the same constituency Tubridy said he would like to contest, but failed to gain a seat after polling at 5.1%.

Seoige fell victim to the sharing of a fake AI generated nude photo during her campaign.

So, will Tubridy swap the mic for the mandate?