NUMBER 510

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. scythed a path through the sward surrounding the south-west corner of the complex that was formerly the Royal Hibernian Military School; later the T.B. hospital known as Saint Mary's; and now the Cara Cheshire Home, in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, to record this one.

Below: The 'mark on the perimeter wall of the Cara Cheshire Home, Phoenix Park.

 

 Above: Is it an O'Connor, a Cezanne, a Van Gogh; or is it perhaps a Halford who is now perhaps working through the medium of colour? No, it's none of these. It's just a lovely, lovely picture by M.C. with the 'mark at bottom left.

 

NUMBER 509

BENCHMARKS continued

Is it a Rothko; a De Kooning; or even perhaps a Gilsenen? No, it is none of these. Rather it is the 'mark on Charles Street at its junction with South Street in New Ross, County Wexford, as recorded by M.C. Fellas have paid millions for stuff not nearly as good!

Below: The 'mark on Charles Street.

 

 Above: Looking west into Charles Street with the 'mark at bottom left.

NUMBER 508

BENCHMARKS continued

This one, recorded by M.C. on Chapel Lane at its junction with Mary Street in New Ross, County Wexford, is on an intriguing structure. Was it a doorway; a window; or had it some other function? And what is that tap doing sticking out of the wall? Benchmarker would like to know.

Below: The 'mark on Chapel Lane is at near bottom left on the intriguing structure.

Above: Looking north into Chapel Lane with the 'mark at right.

NUMBER 507

BENCHMARKS continued

It is always gratifying to discover that the craft of benchmark-hunting has been passed on to the next generation; although at what cost is difficult to gauge. This one was recorded by Mike - son of M.C. - on the corner of Castle Street with Market Street in Castlebar in County Mayo.

Below: The 'mark on the corner of Castle Street with Market Street.

 

 Above: On Market Street looking north-east with the 'mark near the bottom of the corner facing.

NUMBER 506

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. (motto: You do want the best, don't you?) spotted this one in Wexford Town. It's at the junction of Carcur and Redmond Road on what was originally a section of road leading onto the old bridge - called the New Bridge - that previously spanned the harbour.

Below: The 'mark at Wexford Harbour at the junction of Carcur and Redmond Road.

 

Above: Looking north-west across Wexford Harbour with the 'mark on the top of the wall at centre left. That particular section of wall to the right was probably built after the New Bridge was removed, to prevent any motorists from accidentally driving into the harbour.

NUMBER 505

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. (motto: Any Dream will Do) was accompanied by  Kara O'Brien when she spotted this one on Buckingham Lock - the middle one of three locks located where the Grand Canal meets the River Liffey - in Dublin City.

Below: The 'mark at Buckingham Lock. A flattie - somewhat indistinct right in the centre of the photo - it is greatly worn by generations of footfalls onto and off the pedestrian bridge. Sadly the current bridge that has replaced the original wooden-plank structure, is a hi-tec modern construction.

 

 Above: A view across Grand Canal Dock. The 'mark is located near the footbridge step.

NUMBER 504

 BENCHMARK continued

P.G.R. made another foray into his home-town of Clonmel recently to get the last of the known benchmarks there. It is to the right of the main-door steps of the Clonmel Arms Hotel in Sarsfield St. (just left of the bumper of the hatchback car in the wide shot.) It is coincidental that P.G.R.'s grandfather, Godfrey Ryan, took lodgings in Mrs. Ellen Walshe's boarding-house directly opposite the hotel at number 23, according to the 1911 census.

Below: The 'mark on Sarsfield Street, Clonmel.

 

Above: The Clonmel Arms Hotel with the 'mark on the base of the railings just to the left of the car.