Philomena, who is the mother of Irish rock legend Philip Lynott, has met the former Minister for the Arts on a number of occasions, most recently when he attended her book signing in Eason's in Galway.

"He is a gentleman," she told Hot Press. "He is very warm and generous. He also understands the world of the arts and of music, which is such an important quality for anyone who aspires to occupying the highest office in the land. I think he will make a brilliant President, which is why he is my No 1 choice."

Philomena's extraordinary book My Boy spent six weeks at No.1 in the Irish best-sellers earlier this year and it is likely to be among the top Irish books this Christmas.