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 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.
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.
