NUMBER 724

BENCHMARKS continued

Returning through Limerick from a trip to the remote south-west recently, Benchmarker used the short time available for a hunt within the environs of Colbert Station and bagged this one. It's on the base of the railings on Pery Square at the corner with Mallow Street.

For more 'marks from Limerick City, see the website created by historian Sharon Slater here:- http://limerickslife.com/benchmarks-in-limerick/ It's everything a benchmark website should be.

Below: The 'mark on Pery Square in Limerick City.

 

Above: Looking north-west down Mallow Street with the 'mark at the base of the railings at bottom left on Pery Square.

NUMBER 723

BENCHMARKS continued

The Griffith maps contain a veritable treasure trove of 'marks that do not appear on either the 6'' or 25'' maps. Perhaps they could be described as outliers; or maybe as rogues. And it was to Griffith's that M.C. resorted in order to track down any rogues within the metropolitan Dublin area that have not already surrendered to his hawk-eyed insatiability. He bagged this one on Clarke's Bridge over the Royal Canal on Summerhill Parade, Ballybough Road.

Below: The 'mark on Clarke's Bridge over the Royal Canal on Summerhill Parade, Ballybough Road.

 

Above: Looking south-east on Clarke's Bridge with the 'mark at top and centre of the wall, overlooking a cider party all along the banks of the Royal Canal.

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 721

BENCHMARKS continued

The story of how the life-force that is M.C. bagged this one, on an outhouse in the townland of Cullaghreeva near Pass If You Can in west County Dublin, would rival that of the Odyssey. Suffice to relate here is that it involves a good number of invitations to partake of effusions of the leaf of the tea plant accompanied by lectures on the scientific principles of benchmarking. Should you ever be so fortunate as to encounter him, perambulating gently along with head low as he scrutinises the lower stones of a wall in some far-flung townland or barony, beseech him gently to relate it. Should his ceaseless searching allow him occasion to oblige, your reward will be to be refreshed immeasurably in spirit and convinced of the inherent goodness of human fellowship that benchmark hunting engenders.

Below: The 'mark in the townland of Cullaghreeva, County Dublin. 

 

Above: A view of the outhouse in Cullaghreeva with the 'mark on the bottom corner of the wall.

NUMBER 720

BENCHMARKS continued

As 2013 limps towards its inevitable demise it is awards season time for the Benchmarker Academy. Having reviewed all contributions, for the fourth time in as many years the title of Benchmarker Hunter Supreme is bestowed on M.C. The citation noted that he again gave exemplary display throughout the year of that special persistence and commitment to the hunt, the highlight of which resulted in locating this one on Emmet Road near its junction with Saint Vincent Street West, Inchicore in Dublin City. The award will be presented at a special celebration at Bar 52 in the New Year.

Below: The 'mark on Emmet Road in Dublin City.

 

Above: Looking west on Emmet Road with the 'mark on the wall at left.

NUMBER 719

BENCHMARKS continued

In the village of Kilmainhamwood, in the townland of Eden, in the county of Meath is where M.C. found this one, located at the southern entranceway to the Roman Catholic Church.

Below: M.C. models his wedding guest shoes at the 'mark at the entranceway to the R.C. Church in Kilmainhamwood, County Meath. 

 

Above: The entranceway to the R.C. Church. The 'mark, bisected by the sunshine and the shadow, is to the right on top of the small wall.

NUMBER 718

BENCHMARKS continued

Another from M.C. from the centre of Kingscourt in County Cavan. It's on the south-east corner of Saint Ernon's Church.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Ernon's Church in Kingscourt.  

 

Above: Lit by the midwinter sun at midday, a fine view of Saint Ernon's Church with the 'mark on the shaded side of the bottom corner-stone of the church at right.