NUMBERS 51 & 52

BENCHMARKS continued

“Two benchmarks both alike in dignity

In fair Castle Street where we lay our scene.”

Benchmarker had high hopes that a search of the buildings within the environs of Dublin Castle would reveal a goodly bounty. The end result - nada, zilch, zero, not a sausage. But the visit was not completely wasted because just outside on the eastern side of Castle Street were found this pair. They face each other across the setted street, so close it seems they might reach across and caress; aaawww!

Below: This fine building opened in 1781 as Newcomen Bank. Today it is in use as the Rates Office for Dublin City Council. A plaque on the wall show that Eamonn Ceannt - after whom Benchmarker's kebele is named - worked here in the offices of Dublin Corporation from 1900 until taking part in the Rising in 1916. The 'mark is on the left corner of the front of the building.

Below: The 'mark on the western side of City Hall. It can be seen between the man standing at left and the group sitting on the steps enjoying lunch. They were interested in what it was that Benchmarker was up to. It being National Fish and Chip Day with all meals being sold at half price, Burdocks was doing a steady trade. Benchmarker was offered a chip, but as someone who never wavers when on the prowl he politely declined, made his excuses and left.

UPDATE 50

BENCHMARKS continued

With a total of 50 benchmarks now logged, it's time to look again at the national (and international) score.

Dublin 034

Derry 008

Donegal 005

Louth 001

Germany 001

USA 001

NUMBER 50

BENCHMARKS continued

An email correspondent has taken up the challenge and supplied a German benchmark. Apparently it is on the railway station frontage in the town of Bad Hersfeld in the Hessen region of Germany and dates from the year 1883. The brass plate simply records the altitude in metres, to 3 decimal places – incredible accuracy. The actual point of measurement would be the centre of the brass plug to the left. This appears to have been damaged as it should extend further out. Notice that someone disagrees with the altitude displayed on the plaque (perhaps using satellite technology) and has written what he/she believes to be the correct altitude, making a difference of +44 m.m., if Benchmarker's calculation is correct.

Below: The benchmark, and the Railway Station at Bad Hersfeld, Germany.

NUMBER 49

BENCHMARKS continued

When Benchmarker first set foot in Dublin's Fair City, it was at a time when O'Connell Street and its immediate environs held a wealth of cinema theatres. Every evening long queues would form there, but if you had the patience you would almost certainly get in, if not to the film you wanted then at least to another nearby. You could pick an' choose. Sunday night was a different story as the tickets were sold in advance. So if you hadn't booked when the office opened on Friday then your only option was to pay an inflated price to one of the many scalpers who made good money from having got in early and block booked a tranche of seats. Today, their plaintive street-call “Seats? You want seats?” has fallen silent, and, with the exception of the Savoy, which has mutated into a multiplex, those cinemas have all gone the way of the dinosaur. Some were simply demolished and the sites redeveloped. A particular favourite was the Capitol on Palace Street, which along with the neighbouring Metropole Cinema and the Palace Bar, fell to the wreckers ball in the early 1970s to make way for a bland clothing store. It's doubtful if that would happen as easily today. So thankfully the fate of the Ambassador, (Benchmarker's second favourite) while no longer in use as a cinema, looks secure. The building has a long history - far too long to recount here. In recent years it was used as some type of financial services facility; more recently as a live music venue; and apparently there are plans to convert it and transfer there the public library that is currently in the ILAC Centre.

Below: The 'mark on the Ambassador Theatre. Someone has outlined the cuts in white paint; wonder was it B.B?

Above: The Ambassador Theatre, with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 48

BENCHMARKS continued

“When we were savage fierce and wild,

She came like a mother to her child.”

When people ask Benchmarker “What did the British ever do for us?” he usually replies with a list that goes somewhat as follows: - the railways, the potato, the Georgian squares, the postal service, the legal system, etc. etc. etc. and of course, the 3 Speed Sturmey Archer gear mechanism. If that isn't sufficient to conclude the argument then Benchmarker plays his trump card and replies “Why, the benchmark of course”. At this, any doubters can only walk away nodding their bowed heads in agreement.

And of course the British didn't just bequeath the benchmark to Ireland; they gave it to many countries around the world. Or at least versions of it that have the same function as the 3 legged version that we know and love so well here.

Benchmarker was reminded of this when a correspondent sent a photo of a benchmark that is located on the wall of the old post office in Evansville, Indiana, USA. Although much different in form to our benchmarks, its function is identical. And as extras, it displays the elevation, as well as giving a warning of the penalty for any bad folks who might be caught interfering with it. (Many thanks to that benchmarker colleague who sent it in.)

Now the question is - what do benchmarks look like in France and Germany?

Below: The Evansville, Indiana 'mark.

Above: A view of the Old Post Office building in Evansville.

NUMBERS 44, 45, 46 & 47.

BENCHMARKS continued

A search of the gateways of the Phoenix Park turned up a grand total of only four gateways with benchmarks, somewhat small as it is way less than 50%. Even the gateway to that most prestigious of addresses in Dublin 8, (with the exception of Benchmarker's abode, of course) Aras an Uachtarain, drew a blank. The same for the residence of the American Ambassador and the former residence of the Papal Nuncio. On this visit Benchmarker was unable to explore the buildings of the Ordnance Survey Headquarters. It would be ironic if there were no benchmarks there, but not really surprising.

Below: At the pedestrian turnstile opposite Grangegorman Cemetery. The 'mark is on the gate pillar at right. The entrance to the cemetery can be seen through the bars of the gate.

Below: Cabra Gate. The 'mark is on the pillar nearest.

Below: Ashtown Gate. The'mark is on the pillar at right of traffic gate.

Below: Knockmaroon Gate, with the 'mark on the pillar at right.

NUMBERS 41, 42 & 43.

BENCHMARKS continued

Three more from the Walls of Derry.

Below: The 'mark at Ferryquay Gate.

Above: Ferryquay Gate (within) with the 'mark to the left of the pedestrian arch at right.

Below: The mark above Shipquay Gate.

Above: On Shipquay Gate looking towards the Diamond, with the 'mark at bottom right.

Below: The 'mark on Castle Gate.

Above: Castle Gate (without) with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBERS 39 & 40

BENCHMARKS continued

“All along the watchtower, princes kept a view

While all the women came and went, barefoot servants too.”

Below: The 'mark at Church Bastion.

Centre: Church Bastion with the 'mark at bottom left.

Bottom: The plaque explaining the history of the watch towers.

Below: This 'mark on the pillar near the Millennium Forum is under threat from the rising pavement level.

Above: The 'mark is on the base of the pillar at left. While there has been much redevelopment nearby, somehow these old pillars have endured.

NUMBERS 36, 37 & 38.

BENCHMARKS continued

“When everything falls into place like the flick of a switch,

Well my momma told me there 'll be days like this.”

Having undergone a secondary school education from 1961-65 at the Brow o' the Hill, C.B.S., Benchmarker has ever after held a special fondness for the Maiden City. A fondness that sometimes bordered on masochism when he partook in the Derry City Marathon in years 1981 - 83. A short visit back there held the promise of many finds. However a disappointing and totally unsuccessful reconnaissance around the Guildhall and nearby venerable structures had Benchmarker going up the walls. The city walls that is. Soon the finds came thick and fast; it was like shooting fish in a barrel. The total count was eight and only because the hunt had to be restricted to less than an hour - and so was not so thorough - it seems it could easily have clocked double figures.

Benchmarker will return.

Below: Butcher Gate, (within).

Above: Butcher Gate (within) with the 'mark to the right of the arch at bottom.

Below: New Gate (within).

Above: New Gate (within) with the 'mark at left near the bottom of the stop-sign. Also, the plaque explaining the history of New Gate.

Below: The 'mark at Bishop's Gate within.

Above: Bishop's Gate (within) with the 'mark to the right of the pedestrian gateway at left.

NUMBER 35

BENCHMARKS continued

Many a pub-quiz has been won or lost on the question - 'What is the county town of Donegal?' Some plump for Donegal Town or Letterkenny; or Buncrana, Ballyshannon or Bundoran; and all of them are wrong. The correct answer is Lifford, a compact little hamlet in east central Donegal on the west bank of the river Foyle. Maps from the 18^th century show a County House, Court House, Gaol, Lunatic Asylum, Dispensary and an Infirmary. Today practically all of those original buildings are gone although the relatively new and modern Council Headquarters is located on the site of the County House; while the Hospital is located on the site of the Infirmary. It appears that the only original survivor is the Court House with its interesting Lion and Unicorn plaque high up above the front doorway where this benchmark is located.

Below: The 'mark, while just above it some modern graffitist makes an unnecessary contribution.

Above: The Court House, with the 'mark to the right side of the doorway at bottom.

NUMBERS 33 & 34

BENCHMARKS continued

Not many people know this but just like London and New York, there is an area of Dublin City that is called Soho. To explain: - the 'ho' bit comes from that part of Dublin where the Heuston Railway Station and the eponymous Bridge are located; the 'So' bit means 'south of'. Therefore Soho stands for south of Heuston. But it hasn't really caught on with your average Dub.

Anyone who has been to Dublin's Soho Square will know they are extremely unlikely to find any benchmarks there; its a modern offices, shops and apartments development. But the same can not be said for the nearby Heuston area and these two have been located there, one each on the eponymous station and bridge.

During the 1916 Rising, the 25 year old Sean Heuston was the commander of the volunteers in the Mendicity Institution (the original building now long demolished) on the south side of Dublin city. His task was to hold the position for three or four hours, in order to delay the advance of the British troops and give the headquarters staff time to prepare their defenses. He and his comrades succeeded and more, by holding out for over two days and for that Heuston was executed on 8^th May. On the 25^th anniversary of the Rising the bridge was renamed in his honour, while in 1966 the station, where he had worked for a time, was given his name. However many rare auld Dubs still refer to the structures by their original name i.e. King's Bridge. The bridge when it was opened in the 1820s was named to honour an earlier visit to Dublin by George IV. From 1923 until it was renamed for Sean Heuston in 1941, it was called Sarsfield Bridge in honour of Patrick Sarsfield. Is this perhaps the only occasion where a structure named after a nationalist hero was later renamed for another person? The railway station which opened in the 1840s, took its name from the bridge. At the time, with no internal roof support pillars, it had the largest open floor area of any similar building in the world.

Below: The 'mark on the Bridge.

Above: The south western corner of the Bridge with the 'mark at bottom right.

Below: The 'mark on the south eastern corner of the Station. There is something appropriate about this 'mark and its positioning. It is almost as if it represents a 'quality mark' on the building testifying to a job well done.

Above: The 'mark was spotted recently as Benchmarker was en route to the Airport. It can be seen on the left, just to the right of Benchmarker's luggage.

NUMBER 32

BENCHMARKS continued

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This building - located at the northern end of the Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park in Dublin - with its ample though restrained decorative features is a fine example of colonial era architecture (early Victorian possibly). The 'mark is on the base of the gate pillar on the right. It appears that someone has attempted to repair a crack in it with a plug of cement. The lamp standards on the gate pillars - a recent touch - offends Benchmarkers refined sensibility as excessively twee. Oh well!

Above: The 'mark is on the base of the gate pillar at right.