NUMBER 439

BENCHMARKS continued

 
In early Summer in a manoeuvre that combined pleasure with business, M.C. and Benchmarker struck out north-westward to the town that is renowned for being 'only an hour from Dublin', the palindromic metropolis of Navan. With business speedily and efficiently concluded the decks were cleared for the hunt. The result? Eleven bagged, plus two more in the sister town of Dunshaughlin.
Cradling the gentle rain, this first one from Navan is on Pollboy Bridge.

Below: The 'mark on Pollboy Bridge.

Above: On Pollboy Bridge looking towards Flower Hill, with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 438

BENCHMARKS continued

Almost directly opposite the previous church this one is on another church in Ballygawley, perhaps the Church of Ireland.  It's certainly the older of the two as, unlike its predecessor, it appears in the 6” maps.

 Below: A  'mark in Ballygawley.

Above:  A view of the church with the 'mark located to the right of the door.

NUMBER 437

 BENCHMARKS continued

This one is of the type know as a 'flush bracket' benchmark and they are mainly to be found in Northern Ireland with just a few south of the border. This one is on Ballygawley Presbyterian Church in Co Tyrone.

Below: The 'mark on Ballygawley Presbyterian Church

Above:  A view of the church with the 'mark located near the bottom of the corner nearest, and to the left.

NUMBER 436

 BENCHMARKS continued

The fourth 'mark from Clonmel by P.G.R. is appropriately enough located on the courthouse, because  his father worked there as the 'Chief Clerk' of the 'Circuit Court' for many years until his retirement.

Below: The 'mark on Clonmel Courthouse.

Above:  A view of the Courthouse. The 'mark is just to the right of the corner facing, near the bottom of the drainpipe.

NUMBER 435

BENCHMARKS continued

The third 'mark from Clonmel by P.G.R. It comes with a heart-felt plea: 'Kickam Barracks, Clonmel, is now abandoned by the Army as part of the cut-backs and the buildings behind the arch now house a solicitors' practice and an Acupuncture Clinic. Who will defend us now?' 
Also included is this prayer: 

O God, our help in ages past, 

Our hope for years to come, 

Our shelter from the stormy blast, 

And our eternal home. 

 Under the shadow of thy throne 

Thy saints have dwelt secure; 

Sufficient is thine arm alone, 

And our defense is sure. 

Below: The 'mark on the arch at Kickam Barracks in Clonmel.

 

Above: The arch at Kickam Barracks with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 434

BENCHMARKS continued

A second 'mark from Clonmel recorded by P.G.R. This one is on the base of the railings of a building that is the local Fianna Fail headquarters.

Below: The 'mark on the headquarters of Fianna Fail in Clonmel.

Above: A fine shot of the building, which recent election results indicate is probably a bit big for present purposes. The 'mark is on the stone base of the railings at far right, behind the lassie in the pink top.

NUMBER 433

BENCHMARKS continued

On a visit to the Tipperary town of Clonmel recently, P.G.R. kept an eye peeled for any 'marks. He turned up five of them; a good result for a relative tyro, though it is a bit easier than spotting the Higgs bosom. The first of the five is on the Bank of Ireland building.

Below: The 'mark on the Bank of Ireland in Clonmel.

Above: The Bank of Ireland in Clonmel with the 'mark just to the left of the entrance steps and just to the right of the woman's handbag.