The Indo Daily: A shock-jock, the Eurovision host and the Rose of Tralee – Ireland’s influx of ‘celeb’ political candidates

Independent Ireland's European candidate Niall Boylan. Photo: Paul Sherwood.

It’s that time again as the local and European elections draw near, but the list of candidates for the ballots has raised eyebrows. A self-styled ‘shock jock’, a former Eurovision Song Contest host and all sorts of anti-establishment headline-makers. Already broadcaster Niall Boylan is running to be an MEP for the new Independent Ireland party in the Dublin constituency.

The host of The Niall Boylan Show on Classic Hits FM is not the only broadcaster to announce they will be standing for the new party. Former RTÉ broadcaster Ciaran Mullooly is also running for a European seat with the party in the Midlands North West constituency.

Boylan and Mullooly join the ranks of other familiar names including former Rose of Tralee winner Maria Walsh, the champion jockey Nina Carberry and former Eurovision co-presenter Cynthia Ní Mhurchú .

A diverse and novel cast of characters, but some questions still arise before the public take to the polls. Will Fine Gael suffer a shock to the system? And is this the moment for independent and right-wing candidates?

But the most intriguing question of all: why are we seeing so many ‘celebs’ on the ballot paper this time around?

Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnán Sheahan is joined by Kevin Doyle, group head of news at Mediahuis Ireland, to discuss some of the intriguing candidates looking for your vote this June.