NUMBER 24

BENCHMARKS continued

On a sunny Saturday spring morn' while killing time before the appointed hour for an assignation on nearby Grafton Street, Benchmarked reconnoitred the environs of the ancient Bank of Ireland building at College Green. Strolling into the pretty little cul de sac of Foster Place South with its stone setts and pavement tables it was as if one had been transported to the Left Bank in Gay Paree. But only temporarily. Because soon it became apparent that the night before the bons vivants had been in there too, leaving behind everywhere their calling-card - the stench of urine - which added a certain unwelcome je ne sais quoi to the ambience. (Look it up, J.W., it's a good one!) Retreating quickly to the fresher air of College Green, this frail little waif was spotted on the base of one of the columns of the bank building, surrounded by the detritus of the night before. The years have not been kind, and like the sound-operator of yore, it seems destined to fade away to zero before long.

Above: The Bank of Ireland building on College Green with Foster Place South to the left. The 'mark is on the base of the column on the right.

Above: While moving back for a wide shot, street cleaning staff from the City Council arrived and proceeded to lift the litter and hose-down the pavement. The 'mark is on the base of the column to the right of the cleaning vehicle behind the bicycles.

NUMBER 23

BENCHMARKS continued

Benchmarker was a little bit unsure whether this was a true benchmark or just an accidental conjunction of indentations on the surface of the stone on the wall of Saint Lawrence's Church, Chapelizod in Dublin. (I suppose it could happen if for example an infinite number of monkeys with an infinite number of chisels and hammers were set to work on an infinite number of granite blocks in a parallel universe far, far away.) Because the gate was locked closed, it was impossible to get near for a close examination. But viewed using a telephoto lens it did seem to be the real deal. So, it goes in!

Above: Saint Lawrence's Church, Chapelizod, Dublin. The mark is on the base of the pillar to the left of the sign.

NUMBER 22

BENCHMARKS continued

This one is situated on the base of a pillar near the entrance to the eponymous church on Whitefriar Street in Dublin.

Above: Whitefriar Street looking south. The 'mark is on the base of the pillar at left.

NUMBER 21

BENCHMARKS continued

'And did James Bracken in ancient days

Walk on Amiens Street's pavements grey?'

(That question is answered in the affirmative in Section 2 of http://brackenjosephine.blogspot.com/)

Benchmarker, in his quest to record 1,001 benchmarks, never sleeps. This one was spotted - on the Gallic sounding Amiens Street - from within the number 748 airport bus as it sped through the city like a rocket sled on rails. Though daubed over with black paint, it still endures.

Above: Amiens Street looking north. The 'mark is on the base of the pillar at left.

NUMBER 20

BENCHMARKS continued

'A tenement, a dirty street

Walked and worn by shoeless feet ...'

This one is located on the Iveagh Buildings, Patrick Street in Dublin. Someone has highlighted the cuts using white paint or chalk.

Above: Patrick Street looking south. The 'mark is to the left of the blue door.

NUMBERS 18 & 19

BENCHMARKS continued 

These two are located on a pillar at the western end of the Gallic sounding Montpelier Hill just a stone's throw away from that enclave of Dublin 8 that is situated north of the Liffey. They are even closer to the ancestral home of one of Ireland's premier broadcasters. (No! Not Gaybo. But here's a clue : - his father used to be the elephant keeper in Dublin Zoo.) And just 'round the corner from there is the ancestral home of the best sound-operator to grace the studios of the RTE Radio Centre, the colleague formerly designated as M.C.

-->

Above: This one has been circled in paint at some time, leading Benchmarker to conclude that another benchmarker is on the hunt out there.

Above: Strictly speaking this one may not be a true benchmark, but with Benchmarker committed to recording 1,001, he accepts all the help he can get. And so, it goes in!

-->

Above: Showing both 'marks on the pillar.

-->

Above: Looking east into Montpelier Hill. The 'marks are on the wall-pillar on the left.

NUMBER 17

BENCHMARKS continued

N.B. To view each of this pair it is necessary to move the task-bar from left to right; the result of an experiment that was soon abandoned. 

"Down along the cove
I spy my little bundle of joy."

Plump, stately and located on the base of a gatepost overlooking the tiny beach at Sandycove in County Dublin, the lonely sea and the sky infused with the tang of salt, envelops this one. While it appears that the gateway here is long redundant, nevertheless the gate posts have not been disturbed. Long may it continue.

The 'mark is on the base of the pillar, on the roadway side. In the background is Sandycove Beach; the former home of Michael Scott; and the Martello Tower which houses the James Joyce Museum. Just a stone's throw away, but just out of view, is the famous Forty Foot Bathing Place.
Wonder did James Joyce make any reference to the 'mark in any of his works? He is said to have boasted that if Dublin ever disappeared, it could be reconstructed by referring to the information contained in his bukes. Benchmarker is a bit more modest - not to mention charmingly self-deprecating - but feels what's published here on his website would be far more useful.