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 842

BENCHMARKS continued

A second one from the trip to Monaghan. It's on the westernmost column of the colonnade of the Court House at Church Square in Monaghan Town,

Below: A 'mark on the Court House on Church Square in Monaghan Town. The little brass bell embedded in the base of the column carries the letters OSBM. Now whatever can that mean?

 

Above: Looking east on the steps of the Court House and with the 'mark at bottom right. In the middle distance M.C. affects nonchalance when not skulking about.

NUMBER 841

BENCHMARKS continued

After Blaney it was on to the county town of Monaghan. On getting out of the car before starting the hunt there M.C. donned a baseball cap and sunglasses. He still hardly uttered a word but it was now obvious that whatever was going on, he was anxious not to be recognised. At this occurrence Benchmarker decided not to probe, but rather to wait for a suitable opportunity before gently enquiring. So it was almost in silence then. that this one was spotted on the south side of Dublin Street.

Below: A 'mark on Dublin Street in Monaghan Town.

  

Above: Looking north west along Dublin Street with the 'mark at bottom left.

 

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 839

BENCHMARKS continued

Bidding adieu to Slane, with Benchmarker alongside a taciturn M.C. in the driver's seat, the next stop was in Ardee in County Louth to check the bridge that shows a 'mark on the 25” maps. Benchmarker has looked here several times, but sometimes a fresh eye can make all the difference. However no luck; and so it was on to Carrickmacross where in its back alleyways, garage bands were belting out the R&B, rehearsing for the Street Festival on the following Sunday.

Where O'Neill Street becomes the R179, on the south wall of the old graveyard is this one, which someone has acknowledged by haloing it with a crown of green.

Below: The 'mark on the wall on the cemetery on the R179 in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan.

 

Above: Looking west on the R179 with the 'mark at right.