NUMBER 876

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is on a gate pillar at the Convent of Mercy on Main Street in Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street in Carrick-on-Suir.

 

 Above: On Main Street in Carrick-on-Suir and looking east and with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 843

BENCHMARKS continued

With the remaining possibilities in Monaghan Town drawing a blank, M.C. and Benchmarker hit out for the north west to the tidy village of Glaslough. As Monaghan Town was left more and more behind, slowly but surely M.C. began to relax and seemed to find the will to attempt a short conversation. While this was something to be welcomed, and indeed encouraged, it was clear to Benchmarker however that it would be counter productive to probe the cause of his earlier muteness; that it might cause him to revert to another period of silence. And so it was decided that it was probably better to let things sit for perhaps a future opportunity. That's of course, if Benchmarker can find the enthusiasm.

Two 'marks were discovered, with the first of them on Main street.

Below: This 'mark is on the corner of a building, opposite the Monument, on Main Street in Glaslough in County Monaghan.

 

 Above: Looking north east on Main Street in Glaslough towards the entrance to Castle Leslie with the 'mark at bottom left. In the background, a couple of veteran bikers enjoy the sunshine while partaking of a couple of glasses of sparkling Mi Wadi.

 

NUMBER 840

BENCHMARKS continued

Next stop would be at Castleblaney - or Blaney, as it is referred to by the locals - in County Monaghan. As we turned off the N2 and on to the N53 for the town, M.C. although still silent, became temporarily agitated, as if somehow conflicted between a need to unburden himself, while simultaneously struggling to maintain a secret. However he revived and regained something of his old composure on spotting this one at the junction of Main Street with the R183.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street in Castleblaney in County Monaghan.

 

 Above: Looking east on Main Street at its junction with the R183, with the 'mark at bottom left.

NUMBER 837

BENCHMARKS continued

The part of this fair land that is often affectionately referred to as the Wee North, is a happy spot for benchmark hunting in the purist style i.e. without maps or satellite locating devices; but simply equipped with a pair of sturdy shoes, a photographic recording device, and a strong ambition to prevail against whatever the weather decides to throw, coupled to an instinctive sense of where to look. Sadly now during most of the times that Benchmarker travels through that Northern realm, it has been under sufferance as a passenger in the mechanically propelled steed of someone else; someone who it is prudent not to identify. However while returning from a long day on a pilgrimage to that holiest of holy shrines of motorcycle road racing - the North West 200 - an opportunity presented itself, ever so briefly, when the driver decided that the bag of chips sized hole in his stomach could no longer be ignored and pulled in on the eastern end of Main Street in the village of Ballykelly. As the second passenger was dispatched to the chippie, Benchmarker quickly disembarked and scanned the street-scape, whereupon his eye alighted on this one located on a terrace of houses. Two clicks of the camera and it was recorded. Then it was back in the car just as the journey resumed. The bag of chips, a fitting reward, never tasted better.

Below: A 'mark on the south east of Main Street in Ballykelly, County Derry.

 

 Above: Looking west on Main Street in Ballykelly with the 'mark on the left.

NUMBER 751

BENCHMARKS continued

Another from M.C. It's on a building on the east side of Main Street in Julianstown, County Meath.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street in Julianstown.

 

Above: A view of the building in Julianstown. The 'mark is on the gable end, about half way between the two windows.

NUMBER 722

BENCHMARKS continued

We start off the year with the great pleasure of welcoming a new member to the fraternity of Ye Honourable Company of Benchmark Hunters. J.W., motto - “Dublin for the Sam, Kerry for the holliers” - spotted this one on Main Street, Kilorglin, County Kerry. Well done sir; good to have you aboard. Although unasked, assurances were offered that no members of the family bovidae were inconvenienced in the taking of these pictures.

Below: The 'mark on Main Street in Kilorglin.

 

Above: The 'mark, just to the left of the doorstep, is on this building, named Mangan House, in Kilorglin. Is it perhaps a restaurant?

NUMBER 711

BENCHMARKS continued

Down on Main. Opposite its junction with Malahide Road on the west side of Main Street in Swords in County Dublin, is where M.C. located this one.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street, Swords.

 

Above: Looking north on Main with the 'mark at bottom left.


NUMBER 640

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Mike C. is on Saint Mary's Church on Main Street, Killarney, County Kerry.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Mary's Church in Killarney.

 

Above: A view of the church, looking north. The 'mark is just a little below the window second from the left.

NUMBER 608

BENCHMARKS continued

 

Another church from the camera of M.C. This one is Saint Patrick's on Main Street, Celbridge, County Kildare.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Patrick's Church in Celbridge.

 

Above: A view of the front of the church with the 'mark just to the left of the gate at right.

NUMBER 570

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from M.C. is on Main Street in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, just across from the junction with Dublin Road.

Below: The 'mark on Main Street, Newtownmountkennedy. It's situated on what appears to be a mile-marker.

 

 Above: A view of the location of the 'mark. Nearby the secret of M.C.'s benchmark-hunting success is revealed; a dog that can sniff out any hidden 'marks.

NUMBER 555

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from M.C. is on the Market House in Gorey, County Wexford.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street, Gorey.

 

 Above: On Main Street looking east with the 'mark at right.

NUMBER 551

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. found this one, on a building that was once the courthouse, on Main Street in Celbridge, County Kildare.

Below: A 'mark on Main Street, Celbridge.

 

 Above: A view of the venerable building with the 'mark to the left of the electricity cabinet at left.

NUMBER 322

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. found this rather unusual one on Main Street, Rathdrum, County Wicklow. It on the corner of what appears to have been a step outside a doorway.

Below: The 'mark on Main Street, Rathdrum.

Above: The 'mark is on the outer corner of the step. Some people who have looked at this photo report seeing a ghostly figure through the window above the 'mark. Very scary!

NUMBER 320

BENCHMARKS continued

Another beauty from Glenealy from M.C. It's on the base of the railings around a gate-lodge on the main street.

Below: The 'mark on Main Street, Glenealy.

Above: A view of Glenealy with the 'mark on the base of the railings at left.

NUMBER 306

BENCHMARKS continued

You wait for ages for a giant of a 'mark to come along; and then two come together. This one is also in Carrickmacross, on Main Street and just across the laneway from the building that now contains the library. It is more narrow and tall than its colleague on Bridewell Lane, so perhaps it was carved by a different hand, but it is probably from the same period.

Below: The other giant of a 'mark.

Above: Main Street, Carrickmacross looking towards the courthouse with part of the 'mark just visible at bottom right. In an attempt to include as much of the scene as possible while avoiding being struck by a car, unfortunately Benchmarker failed to include all of the 'mark in this picture. Excuses, excuses.

NUMBER 188

BENCHMARKS continued
 

'Roll up ! Roll up, ladies. Today's special is a large chunky slice of brickie, flambéed in amber liquor and served with a generous helping of boxty.'

This one is on a building on Main Street in Ballybofey, perhaps formerly a bank but now a restaurant. Across the street is the Garda barracks. When Benchmarker was a young chiseller (pun intended), once a month he would travel with his father, a garda, from the home kebele of Convoy to the distant metropolis of Stranolor/Ballybofey for a short back and sides. Usually always afterwards a visit was paid to the barracks for a chin-wag on trends amongst the local criminal fraternity. Happy days! But sadly no 'marks appear to exist now in Convoy.

Below: The 'mark on Main street, Ballybofey.

Above: Ballybofey looking towards Stranolor with the 'mark just to the left of the entrance door.

NUMBER 90

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is on the base of the right hand column at the entrance to Longford Town Court House.

Below: The 'mark on Longford Town Court House.

Above: Main Street, Longford looking south. The entrance to the Court House is at right with the 'mark on the base of the column at extreme right.

NUMBER 59

BENCHMARKS continued

Another one discovered by colleague M.C. Unusually, it's on a horizontal surface - the doorstep of the building attached to the Anglican Church on Main Street, Rathfarnham.

Below: The 'mark (bottom right) on the building on Main Street, Rathfarnham.

Above: Main Street, Rathfarnham. The 'mark is on the doorstep to the right of the door.