NUMBER 379

BENCHMARKS continued

The day's hunting concluded with another amber jewel; this one at the north side of Saint Fintan's Road at its junction with Strand Road in Sutton. After that it was hell for leather to the Oscar Taylor for two senior's meals and a good old chin-wag to set the world and its myriad problems to right. As a first hunt this year it augurs well for many more productive hunts in the months to come. 

 

Below: The 'mark on Saint Fintan's Road in Sutton, County Dublin.

Above: From Strand Road looking into Saint Fintan's Road with the 'mark on the wall at left.

NUMBER 378

BENCHMARKS continued

The amber stone walls along the twisting narrow hilly streets clinging precipitously to the south side of the Howth Peninsula reminded Benchmarker of those island jewels that dot the azure waters of the Aegean. Unsure as to whether to reveal this to M.C. as he might too readily conclude that it was due to the effects of the wine, the drive to Old Carrickbrack Road was a fairly silent affair. However there were great whoops of delight all round when this one was spotted on what looked initially as a relatively new wall. 

 

Below: The 'mark on Old Carrickbrack Road, Howth, County Dublin.

Above: Looking north-east on Old Carrickbrack Road with the 'mark on the wall at right.

NUMBER 377

BENCHMARKS continued

Reluctantly bidding farewell to the tavern, M.C. and Benchmarker continued on to Carrickbrack Road and to this one on the boundary wall of the convent there.

Below: The 'mark on Carrickbrack Road, Howth, County Dublin.

Above: Looking east on Carrickbrack Road with the 'mark about half way along the wall at right.

NUMBER 376

BENCHMARKS continued

Continuing onwards and upwards, M.C. and Benchmarker rolled into Howth and on up Abbey Street to this 'mark, on a building that apparently was once a college at the abbey. It was a good time to reflect, and where better than in the ambience of turf smoke and Sky Sports of the eponymous tavern. M.C. enjoyed a libation of the 'fair trade' kind, while Benchmarker partook of a beaker of the warm south. And so the long day passed by ever so pleasantly.

Below: The 'mark on Abbey Street, Howth, County Dublin.

Above: Looking Down Abbey Street towards the harbour with the 'mark on the building at left.

NUMBER 375

BENCHMARKS continued

Near journey's end - Howth Harbour - and looking forward to the warmest of warm welcomes there 'though yet still in the realm of Sutton, M.C. and Benchmarker recorded this one. The final mile-stone that flags the way from the GPO to the Mail Boat of yore. And thereon resides this comely 'mark.

Below: Yet another 'mark on yet another mile-stone on Howth Road, Sutton, County Dublin.

Above: On Howth Road looking towards Howth Village with the 'mark on the mile-stone at bottom left.

NUMBER 374

BENCHMARKS continued

Just a little further east on Howth Road from Number 373 is this one. Apparently it is not on the 25” map. A serendipitous find by co-operative effort of M.C. and Benchmarker. 

 

Below: Another 'mark on Howth Road, Sutton, County Dublin.

Above: On Howth Road looking towards Howth Village with the 'mark - outlined in white - at bottom left.

NUMBER 373

BENCHMARKS continued

A little way onto the Howth peninsula, although still in the enclave known as Sutton, M.C. and Benchmarker found this one on the north side of Howth Road, just a tad east of the Offington Park junction. 

 

Below: A 'mark on Howth Road, Sutton, County Dublin.

Above: On Howth Road looking towards Sutton Cross with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 372

BENCHMARKS continued

A mile further east on the Dublin Road and, perhaps not surprisingly, we encounter another mile-stone and again engraved with a 'mark. 

 

Below: Another mile-stone on the Dublin Road with the 'mark at bottom.

Above: Looking east towards Sutton Cross with the mile-stone and its associated 'mark at left.

NUMBER 371

BENCHMARKS continued

Onwards and upwards, to Howth Hill and the environs of Malahide, Portmarnock, Coolock and other far-flung outposts of north County Dublin, with M.C. navigating and piloting the iron chariot. This first one is on the ancient mile-stone located where the Howth Road becomes the Dublin Road.

Below: A mile-stone on the Dublin Road with the 'mark at bottom.

Above: Looking towards the mighty Dublin metropolis with the mile-stone - holding the 'mark - at right surrounded on three sides by the garden wall.

NUMBER 370

BENCHMARKS continued

'Ask and it will be given onto you; seek and ye shall find ... ' and always have a pocket camera to hand. Benchmarker is not one to invoke the power of the hypothesis know as a Supreme Being. Rather it's about a dogged determination alloyed to a never-give-up attitude. And so it came to pass that following a number of fruitless visits, this one, on Parnell Bridge on the Grand Canal in Dublin, was revealed onto Benchmarker in all it finery.

Below: The 'mark on Parnell Bridge over the Grand Canal in Dublin City.

Above: Looking west with the 'mark on top of the wall in the foreground, and a slightly frozen-over Grand Canal behind.