The intention with this website is to locate at least 1,001 benchmark sites, or die in the attempt (no flowers please, house private). Photos of any benchmark sites found will be posted at intervals over the coming days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries ... Anyone who wishes to contribute can send photos and descriptions of any benchmarks they find and would like to have included here, to mfbourke@gmail.com See post Number 1 for a fuller description.

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Friday, June 17, 2011

NUMBER 152

BENCHMARKS continued

Continuing with the rebellion theme, this one, on the front of Kilmainham Courthouse in Dublin, perhaps owes its existence to the fact that another older one nearby became obsolete for mapping purposes. The older one appears on maps published in the 1830s and was situated on what was then the front of the Gaol. However some time in the mid 1800s, two open-roofed extensions were built onto the front of the Gaol, one on either side of the entrance. The westernmost one of these is now referred to as the Stone Breakers Yard, the location for the executions of the leaders of the 1916 Rising. Whether that older 'mark still exists is uncertain to Benchmarker as he has not yet sought entrance to the Yard. If it does indeed exist then it is possibly Ireland's best kept benchmark secret.

Below: The 'mark on Kilmainham Courthouse.

Above: Kilmainham Courthouse with the 'mark at bottom left, between the railings and the steps. This fine old building - topped with the lion and the unicorn - has become obsolete to legal requirements in recent years. What's in store for it in the future is uncertain.

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