Whether voters see them as the Magnificent Seven, or the political equivalent of the Seven Dwarfs, Irish voters - at least those citizens that are permitted to vote - are for sure are being presented with a broad choice for next Irish president.
And it is perhaps inevitable that despite the relatively apolitical nature of the Irish presidency, politics has been a factor in its pursuit.
The Irish president is a constitutional head of state, the guardian of the constitution, the ceremonial commander in chief of the armed forces, and the emblematic representative of the state on the world stage.
This is a role that is far removed from, say, the American presidency, which is the most supercharged political job on the planet.
Apolitical or not, and as we have seen mostly clearly of late in the crowded battle for the Republican nomination for 2012 here in the U.S., Irish voters have been treated to a see-saw and occasionally tumultuous spectacle as candidates initially battled to secure nominations, and once they had been attained, to stand out from what is now the largest ever field in an Irish presidential election.
There have been sublimely apolitical moments for sure, not least when Labour's Michael D Higgins last week urged Labour councilors in Dublin to help David Norris finally nail down his re-entry to the race.
There have been, equally, instances far from the apolitical sublime, not least the torrent of invective aimed at Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness, a candidate who for sure has a controversial past, but who has, for some years now, been clearly focused on securing a better future for the inhabitants of not only Northern Ireland, but the entire island.
The first torpedo of any significance aimed at McGuinness was fired by justice minister Alan Shatter, whose criticism had to be taken serious note of given his front rank role in the cabinet, and reputation as a politician of substance.
The second volley was reported in the Sunday Independent last weekend. It was a dire warning from environment minister Phil Hogan that a McGuinness presidency would do to U.S. investment in the South what St. Patrick did to snakes.
The irony of this attack - and perhaps irony is not Mr. Hogan's strongest suit - is that of all the candidates it is McGuinness who has the most on-the-ground experience in working to attract U.S. investment to the island, first in partnership with Ian Paisley, and more lately with Peter Robinson.
This is not to suggest that Martin McGuinness is to be immune from criticism; but if he is to be the object of nakedly political scorn from serving government politicians who must work with the next president, at least let it be rooted in common sense.
Put it this way: Irish government minister have for some years now been shaking hands with Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister in the Northern Ireland government. does the hand shaking case should he be elected president?
It was interesting to note that during his recent visit to New York, Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore declined to even comment on his cabinet colleague, Mr. Shatter's, broadside which characterized McGuinness as being unfit for the office of president because of his "exotic" past.
Gilmore preferred to simply express support for his party's candidate, Mr. Higgins. This is as it should be. Between them, Gilmore and Higgins have demonstrated a far better understanding of not just the office of the Irish presidency, but of the process of pursuing it, than some of their colleagues. Both men deserve credit for taking the higher road.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has shown similar restraint thus far.
The fact is that voters are well able to make their own minds up without being prodded by members of the government and will do so on election day, October 27.
Over the coming days, those voters will be weighing their options as the candidates go through their paces. The only thing certain at this stage is that the next Irish president, he or she, will have a tough act to follow.
