NUMBERS 14, 15 & 16

BENCHMARKS continued

It was not expected that an examination of a small number of the bridges of Donegal County - at locations on the western outskirts of Letterkenny - would reveal much. The omens were bad, with many of the old bridges smothered in moss, clinging ivy, and - the bane of benchmark hunters - the dreaded mortar rendering. However against expectations the Donegal catch on this particular safari, numbered three. They are located at Newmills, Rashedoge and Bomany. Were it not for the moss, ivy and mortar it's probable the total would have been higher. Nevertheless a productive excursion, with the mood enhanced by the sounds of newborn lambs and primroses peeking from hedgerow banks.

Below: The 'mark on the bridge over the River Swilly, at Newmills, Letterkenny. It appears that sometime in the fairly recent past someone took the trouble to remove the dreaded mortar from on top of the 'mark, as the rest of the bridge wall is still coated in the stuff. And further below the view looking west, with the 'mark at bottom left.

Below: The 'mark on the redundant bridge over the Swilly at Rashedoge, west of Letterkenny. (On first approach, this one was missed. Retracing the steps it was found, peeping out from behind a daffodil.) And further below the view looking south with the 'mark at bottom left.

Below: The 'mark on the north wall of a bridge of a tributary of the River Swilly at Bomany on the Newmills Road, west of Letterkenny. And further below the view looking north with the 'mark in the foreground.

NUMBER 13

 BENCHMARKS continued

Passing through the main street of the County Louth village of Collon on the way to the far northland, serendipity struck when a glance to the left discovered benchmark gold. A quick U-turn and two exposures recorded it for posterity. Unlike most of the 'marks on the Liffey bridges this one, with its sharp lines and deep cuts, looks practically pristine. It's unlikely there is any finer in all Ireland. The burden of the long journey ahead was much lightened.

 Above: Main Street, Collon looking east. the 'mark can be seen through the bars of the gate, on the corner of the building.

 

NUMBER 12

BENCHMARKS continued

This is quite a beauty - a full bodied peach of a benchmark in a superb location. A particular favourite, it is located on the pillar to the right of the steps at the front of Saint Stephen's Anglican Church (a.k.a. the Peppercanister Church) on Mount Street Crescent, Dublin 2. It's literally a stone's throw from the building on Herbert Street where Benchmarker resided in a small but imperfectly formed apartment for nine eventful years in the long unforgotten past. Barring unforeseen eventualities, this one should also last as long as the city.

Above: St Stephen's Church - the 'mark is located to the right of the steps and below the metal lamp-holder.

 

NUMBER 11

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is located at the base of the southernmost railings pillar at the front of Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin City. This location demonstrates one way in which 'marks are gradually being lost; the level of the pavement here seems to have risen over time, and if the rate continues then this 'mark will probably be buried in 150 years or so.

Above: St Patrick's Cathedral. The 'mark is located at the base of the railings pillar at centre bottom.

NUMBER 10

BENCHMARKS continued

The one that inspired the setting up of this website. It is located in the north country fair, on the northern wall of the bridge on the river Moyle at the western end of Main Street, Newtowncunningham, Co Donegal. For as long as Benchmarker can remember - having spent nine years as a youth in Newtown - the 'mark has been in an upside-down position; and it is not therefore as a result of the recent construction work on the bridge walls. The 'mark also contains some letters and/or numbers, but unfortunately it is not easy to decipher what they are.

-->Above: On Moyle Bridge looking east into Newtowncunningham. The 'mark is located on the left.

NUMBER 9

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is located on Arran Quay, Dublin, on the west wall of Father Mathew Bridge. It looks a little bit the worse for wear, perhaps as a result of the shelling of the nearby Four Courts building during the Civil War of 1922.

Above: The 'mark is located between the pedestrian light signpost and the woman in the red coat.

 

NUMBER 8

BENCHMARKS continued

Riverrun past this little fella' that peeks out demurely from the Victoria Quay side of the west wall of Rory O'More Bridge in Dublin city.

Above: Looking west along Victoria Quay. The mark is on the extreme right just to the right of the lamppost shown truncated by the photo.

NUMBER 7

BENCHMARKS continued

They don't come much finer than this! It seems to shout "Hey! Look at me!" A near perfect benchmark in a picturesque setting - at the centre of the eastern wall of Mellows (Mellowes?) Bridge in Dublin City. Barring unforeseen events, this one should last for as long as the city.
Interestingly, the residence of the mother of the executed Liam Mellows in her final years, was a house in the same kebele as Benchmarker, just a few doors away.

Above: Mellows Bridge, looking east towards the city centre with the mark clearly visible.

NUMBER 6

BENCHMARKS continued

This one seems to call out "Remember me!" from underneath the pavement where it is buried at the corner of Benburb Street and Liffey Street West in Dublin City. Just the tops of the letters indicate that this was once a benchmark site. Over the years the level of the street has risen to cover it. An example of how many sites are gradually being lost to posterity.

Above: Benburb Street looking west, with Liffey Street West to the left. The mark is on the bottom facing block of the corner wall.