NUMBER 1,086

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is on Binn's Bridge at Robertstown in County Kildare (not to be confused with the Binn's Bridge on the Royal Canal in Phibsborough in Dublin City that often features on traffic reports on the wireless).

Below: The 'mark on Binn's Bridge.

Above. Looking southeast at Binn's Bridge with the 'mark on the bridge at right.

NUMBER 1,085

BENCHMARKS continued

Shortly before septuagenarian Benchmarker was confined to base the following two canal bridge 'marks were recorded. As to when normal service will be resumed is in the lap of the Gods. But a time we all look forward to.

This one is on Bonynge Bridge in Downings South in County Kildare.

Below: The 'mark on Bonynge Bridge.

Above. Looking east at Bonynge Bridge with the 'mark on the bridge at right.

NUMBER 1,084

BENCHMARKS continued

Back west to Goatstown in County Kildare for this one on Cock Bridge.

Below: The 'mark on Cock Bridge.

Above. Looking east on Cock Bridge with the 'mark on the bridge at left.

NUMBER 1,082

BENCHMARKS continued

Also in County Kildare, this time on Henry Bridge in Tipperstown, is this one.

Below: The 'mark on Henry Bridge.

Above. Looking southwest at Henry Bridge with the 'mark at bottom left of the arch.

NUMBER 1,080

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is on a pillar on the entrance to Bishopscourt House on the Straffan Road in County Kildare.

Below: The 'mark at the entrance to Bishopscourt House.

Above: The entrance to Bishopscourt Demesne on the Straffan Road with the 'mark at the bottom of the pillar at left.

NUMBER 1,078

BENCHMARKS continued

About a mile from Clane in County Kildare on the Kilcock Road is the main entrance to Clongowes Wood College. A tree lined avenue about a kilometer in length leads to the main building. At the entrance arch to the avenue is this one.

Below: The 'mark on the entrance arch to Clongowes Wood College.

Above: Looking east towards the college with the 'mark at left on the arch, to the right of the metal pole.

NUMBER 1,076

BENCHMARKS continued

Where the Barberstown Road crosses the Grand Canal in County Kildare is Devonshire Bridge which is where this one can be seen.

Below: The 'mark on Devonshire Bridge.

Above: Looking north at the bridge. The 'mark is on the wall of the arch facing, about 3 feet up on the right.

NUMBER 1,075

BENCHMARKS continued

This is rather wonderful; a survivor against great odds. It's located on the edge of the tow path of the Grand Canal in County Kildare. The tow path is subject to regular mechanised hedge trimming and grass cutting by the local authority. The stone, with the 'mark atop, might easily have been removed to allow a free flow for the grass cutter. Somehow it has been left undisturbed. Long may it remain.

Below: The 'mark on the Grand Canal tow path near Digby Bridge in County Kildare. The number 16 carved in the stone refers perhaps to the 16^th Lock nearby.

Above: Looking west towards Digby Bridge with the 'mark, on the top of the stone, at bottom right.

NUMBER 1,074

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is located on the northwest corner of Clongowes Wood College near the little town of Clane in County Kildare.

Below: The 'mark on Clongowes Wood College.

Above: Looking eastwards towards the college. The 'mark is just to the left of the white door.

NUMBER 1,071

BENCHMARKS continued

“They say that Naas is a terrible place.” Well actually its not so bad these days - except for the traffic and the dearth of parking spaces. There has been a lot of development there in recent years and it is now a fulcrum for many hamlets in the Greater Dublin Hinterland. The new County Council Offices development has resulted in the almost total demolition of what remained of the Infantry Barracks, except for one small building on which is this one.

Below: A 'mark at the County Council Offices in Naas.

Above: A view of what remains of the Infantry Barracks in Naas with the 'mark to the right of the arch.

NUMBER 1,065

BENCHMARKS continued

Alexandra Bridge straddles the River Liffey immediately south of the village of Clane in County Kildare. A plaque on the bridge gives its date as 1864. The plaque also holds this fine 'mark.

Below: The 'mark on Alexandra Bridge in Clane.

Above: A view of the west side of the bridge with the 'mark on the plaque.

NUMBER 1,046

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is on the wall of the little bridge that crosses the River Rye in the Carton Estate in County Kildare.

Below: A 'mark on the bridge over the Rye in the Carton Estate.

Above. A view from the bridge looking west into County Meath with the 'mark in the foreground at bottom right.

NUMBER 895

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Michael Byrne is on Henry Street at its junction with Charlotte Street in Newbridge, County Kildare.

Below: A 'mark on Henry Street in Newbridge, County Kildare.

 

Above: Looking south west, back along Henry Street, Newbridge with the 'mark at left.

NUMBER 894

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Newbridge in County Kildare from Michael Byrne is on the right hand arch of the front door at the west end of Saint Patrick's Church (1815). The church is nestled on a fork in the road, created by Standhouse Road to the North and Moorefield Road to the south, in Newbridge.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Patrick's Church in Newbridge, County Kildare. 

 

Above: A view of the west end of Saint Patrick's Church with the 'mark at the bottom of the right hand door arch.

 

NUMBER 893

BENCHMARKS continued

On a recent visit to Newbridge in County Kildare, Michael Byrne recorded the not inconsiderable number of three 'marks there, all within a short distance from Main Street. First up is this one on the Naas Road, just a little North of Newbridge town itself, at the junction of Hawthorn Close. The 'mark is on the roadside face of a small stonebuilt shed, which is now only half it's former size, being virtually cut in half to create an opening for Hawthorn Close. Luckily, the half with the 'mark survived.

Below: A 'mark on the Naas Road, in Newbridge in County Kildare, at its junction with Hawthorn Close.

 

Above: Looking north east along the Naas Road with the 'mark at bottom right.