NUMBER 117

BENCHMARKS continued
 

This one is on the base-wall of the railings of an interesting old house at the junction of Old Kilmainham and Kearn's Place. The house dates back to the early 19th century, possibly much earlier. Just across Kearn's Place is the location of the Old Kilmainham Gaol (no trace now survives) and perhaps the house had some connection with that notorious place. Benchmarker recalls reading a report of conditions there with the inmates - men, women and children all held together - pitifully begging through the basement bars from the citizens who walked by above them.

Below: The 'mark on the old house in Kilmainham.

Above: Old Kilmainham looking east towards the city centre. The 'mark is at bottom left barely visible in the photograph. In the distance are the twin towers of Mount Brown that overlook Benchmarker's exclusive residence.

NUMBER 111

BENCHMARKS continued
 

'I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.'

Benchmarker kicked off this epic project by first posting the 'mark which was perhaps the one closest to the Benchmarker residence. Well time has told another story and this one on Faulkner's Terrace, Old Kilmainham now takes that exalted title and gets the number 111 to emphasis its closeness. It is situated on what was formerly part of a house front that now serves as a gate post. It has been plastered over for a considerable period, but time has caused some of this to crack and crumble enough to partly reveal it.

The 25 inch maps show that there once was a 'mark even closer to the residence - a literal stone's throw away - but that one disappeared in the building blitz that characterized the Celtic Tiger years.

Below: The 'mark on Old Kilmainham at Faulkner's Terrace.

Above: Old Kilmainham looking east towards the city centre. The 'mark is at the base of the pillar to the right of the big blue gate.