From his perch atop the column on the octagonal plinth, the statue of the national saint bestows his sweet smile on the centre of Westport. Benchmarker first set foot in this fair town 40 years ago and in the interim, and adverse to his tastes, a good degree of gentrification has occurred. An example is what has been done at the base of the monument. Steps - leading up to a small platform area where bench seats are placed - have been added all around. Fortunately the platform extends around just seven of the eight sides, and as the benchmark was on the eighth of these it survives and can still be viewed. Responsible gentrification or happy accident? Benchmarker suspects the latter.
Below: The 'mark on the base of the monument to Saint Patrick.
Above: The 'mark is located between the bicycles and the shrubs at the base of the monument.
