The Bishops of the Church of Ireland meet in Dublin this week to elect a new primate.
One of 11 men will be selected on Wednesday as Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland in succession to Lord Robin Eames who retired from the post on December 31 after over 20 years at the helm.
The House of Bishops meets in private session to make its choice and front runner is believed to be the Archbishop of Dublin, The Rt Rev John Neill.
It is thought to be the 61-year-old's for the taking — if he wants the job . He is the second highest ranking member of the church and by tradition has a right of first refusal.
However he is a Dubliner born and bred and happy in Ireland's capital city. His wife is not in the best of health and there are those in the church who believe he may decide to pass on the move to Armagh.
If he does decline it throws the field wide open. The Cork based Bishop of Kilmore, northern born Rt Rev Ken Clarke, 60, and the Bishop of Connor, Rt Rev Alan Harper, 62, are likely contenders.
While any of the bishops could theoretically take the post, other possibles are understood to be the Cork born Rt Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe and Rt Rev Harold Miller of Down and Dromore.
PA