It's been yet another Presidential Election campaign with both shocks and surprises.
Opinion polls may suggest a clear result, but campaigners are taking nothing for granted.
Heather Humphreys has been attacking her opponent this weekend demanding straight answers about Catherine Connolly's time as a barrister representing banks in repossession cases, with Ms Connolly describing what's taking place as a "new low".
Now there are just four days of campaigning left and as the contest heads into the home straight, there may be plenty of twists and turns (and proverbial 'landmines') that could upend that solid lead the opinion polls have given to Catherine Connolly.
So what lies ahead?
Last debate
Both candidates still have media engagements and continue to campaign, but RTÉ's Prime Time is set to host the final Presidential Debate tomorrow night at 9.35pm. It's certain to be a key engagement for voters as they finalise their voting intentions. It will be presented by Miriam O'Callaghan and Sarah McInerney and will be screened on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player. Expect fireworks!
Polling
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm on Friday 24 October.
The final figure has yet to be determined, but around 3.6 million people will be eligible to vote in this Presidential Election. Voters should bring ID with them. A polling card is not required, but is helpful. Any voter who did not receive a polling card is advised to go to checktheregister.ie, which will provide your electoral number and the relevant polling station.
The Electoral Commission estimates that 60,000 people have turned 18 between last year's General Election and today, and will be able to vote for the first time. Another 61,000 new voters have registered in addition.
Turnout
In every election, those who are most motivated get to decide the outcome. Turnout in the last election to the Áras, in 2018, was just 44%. Will that be exceeded this time out?
The Connolly campaign will be hoping opinion poll figures giving her 38% of the vote will be replicated and enhanced, and that the enthusiasm her campaign says is evident among younger voters will carry her home.
Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys will hope to capitalise on the fact she is the the only centrist candidate after Fianna Fáil’s disastrous Jim Gavin strategy imploded. She will hope the broad swathe of centrist support will gravitate to her.
Count
The count will take place the following day on Saturday 25 October. The 43 general election constituencies will return a result, which will then be sent to the national count headquarters at Dublin Castle. Many Dublin constituencies will be counted at the RDS, while in Cork city it will be at Nemo Rangers.
Turnout will largely determine the duration of the count. However, there could also be delays if many voters choose to spoil their ballot. This is because an adjudicator will inspect every single ballot paper to decide if its valid or spoiled. In the last two presidential elections, there were around 18,000 spoiled votes. In 2018 just over 1% spolied their votes. The recent IrishTimes Ipso B&A poll suggested 6% of voters will cast a ballot but deliberately spoil their vote next Friday. 6% would be around 75,000 votes that will all have to be examined.
A declaration should be made before the Nine News on RTÉ 1, but tallies should give a clear indication by lunchtime. Candidates need to secure 12.5% of the quota in order to recoup expenses up to a maximum value of €250,000.
End of Term
Michael D Higgins's term as President of Ireland will end on Monday 10 November. He will have served in office for 14 years, which is the maximum allowed under the Constitution. President Higgins is the ninth President of Ireland, and the fifth President to serve two terms in office.
If a crisis should emerge before the tenth President is inaugurated, the Presidential Commission shall take over the role. The commission comprises of Chief Justice Donal O’Donnell, Dáil Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy, and Seanad Cathaoirleach Mark Daly. This would also apply should Jim Gavin win the election and then resign - the Presidential Commission would remain in place until a new election takes place 60 days later.
Inauguration
The inauguration of Ireland's tenth President takes place on Tuesday 11 November at St Patrick's Hall in Dublin Castle.
Tradition dictates that both the Oireachtas and Judiciary are represented. And then the clock starts ticking down to the next Presidential Election in 2032.
