NUMBER 54

BENCHMARKS continued

The venerable buildings at Griffith College on Dublin's South Circular Road are named on early 19^th century maps as the Richmond Penitentiary. It was known locally as the Richmond Pen or Richmond Gaol and amongst those who served time there was Daniel O'Connell, a.k.a. the Liberator for his efforts for Catholic Emancipation.

In 1887 it became Wellington Barracks, most probably named in honour of the eponymous duke. It was named Griffith Barracks in honour of Arthur Griffith - head of the Irish delegation at the negotiations in London that produced the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 - following his death in 1922.

The following year it was the scene of Civil War fatalities when it was fired on by Anti-Treaty forces from across the Grand Canal.

In the 1990's it underwent yet another transformation becoming a third level private educational institution, Griffith College.

Below: The 'mark at Griffith College.

Above: The 'mark is to the right of the doorway of the main historic building - today named Daniel O'Connell House - just behind the shrub in the tub.

NUMBER 53

BENCHMARKS continued

“O commemorate me where there are benchmarks,
Canal benchmarks preferably”

One might reasonably assume that many of the bridges over the Grand Canal in Dublin City would wear a benchmark. Not so, it seems. Benchmarker has checked most - although not all - of them and it appears that the only one with a 'mark is this one at Portobello, Rathmines. Presuming they were ever there in the first place, whatever happened to those others? If Benchmarker ever musters the courage to visit the Northside, surely those bridges over the Royal Canal will provide with a better bounty? Time may tell.

Below: The 'mark on Portobello Bridge.

Above: Portobello Bridge looking south towards Rathmines. The 'mark is on the bridge wall at right.

NUMBERS 51 & 52

BENCHMARKS continued

“Two benchmarks both alike in dignity

In fair Castle Street where we lay our scene.”

Benchmarker had high hopes that a search of the buildings within the environs of Dublin Castle would reveal a goodly bounty. The end result - nada, zilch, zero, not a sausage. But the visit was not completely wasted because just outside on the eastern side of Castle Street were found this pair. They face each other across the setted street, so close it seems they might reach across and caress; aaawww!

Below: This fine building opened in 1781 as Newcomen Bank. Today it is in use as the Rates Office for Dublin City Council. A plaque on the wall show that Eamonn Ceannt - after whom Benchmarker's kebele is named - worked here in the offices of Dublin Corporation from 1900 until taking part in the Rising in 1916. The 'mark is on the left corner of the front of the building.

Below: The 'mark on the western side of City Hall. It can be seen between the man standing at left and the group sitting on the steps enjoying lunch. They were interested in what it was that Benchmarker was up to. It being National Fish and Chip Day with all meals being sold at half price, Burdocks was doing a steady trade. Benchmarker was offered a chip, but as someone who never wavers when on the prowl he politely declined, made his excuses and left.

UPDATE 50

BENCHMARKS continued

With a total of 50 benchmarks now logged, it's time to look again at the national (and international) score.

Dublin 034

Derry 008

Donegal 005

Louth 001

Germany 001

USA 001

NUMBER 50

BENCHMARKS continued

An email correspondent has taken up the challenge and supplied a German benchmark. Apparently it is on the railway station frontage in the town of Bad Hersfeld in the Hessen region of Germany and dates from the year 1883. The brass plate simply records the altitude in metres, to 3 decimal places – incredible accuracy. The actual point of measurement would be the centre of the brass plug to the left. This appears to have been damaged as it should extend further out. Notice that someone disagrees with the altitude displayed on the plaque (perhaps using satellite technology) and has written what he/she believes to be the correct altitude, making a difference of +44 m.m., if Benchmarker's calculation is correct.

Below: The benchmark, and the Railway Station at Bad Hersfeld, Germany.

NUMBER 49

BENCHMARKS continued

When Benchmarker first set foot in Dublin's Fair City, it was at a time when O'Connell Street and its immediate environs held a wealth of cinema theatres. Every evening long queues would form there, but if you had the patience you would almost certainly get in, if not to the film you wanted then at least to another nearby. You could pick an' choose. Sunday night was a different story as the tickets were sold in advance. So if you hadn't booked when the office opened on Friday then your only option was to pay an inflated price to one of the many scalpers who made good money from having got in early and block booked a tranche of seats. Today, their plaintive street-call “Seats? You want seats?” has fallen silent, and, with the exception of the Savoy, which has mutated into a multiplex, those cinemas have all gone the way of the dinosaur. Some were simply demolished and the sites redeveloped. A particular favourite was the Capitol on Palace Street, which along with the neighbouring Metropole Cinema and the Palace Bar, fell to the wreckers ball in the early 1970s to make way for a bland clothing store. It's doubtful if that would happen as easily today. So thankfully the fate of the Ambassador, (Benchmarker's second favourite) while no longer in use as a cinema, looks secure. The building has a long history - far too long to recount here. In recent years it was used as some type of financial services facility; more recently as a live music venue; and apparently there are plans to convert it and transfer there the public library that is currently in the ILAC Centre.

Below: The 'mark on the Ambassador Theatre. Someone has outlined the cuts in white paint; wonder was it B.B?

Above: The Ambassador Theatre, with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 48

BENCHMARKS continued

“When we were savage fierce and wild,

She came like a mother to her child.”

When people ask Benchmarker “What did the British ever do for us?” he usually replies with a list that goes somewhat as follows: - the railways, the potato, the Georgian squares, the postal service, the legal system, etc. etc. etc. and of course, the 3 Speed Sturmey Archer gear mechanism. If that isn't sufficient to conclude the argument then Benchmarker plays his trump card and replies “Why, the benchmark of course”. At this, any doubters can only walk away nodding their bowed heads in agreement.

And of course the British didn't just bequeath the benchmark to Ireland; they gave it to many countries around the world. Or at least versions of it that have the same function as the 3 legged version that we know and love so well here.

Benchmarker was reminded of this when a correspondent sent a photo of a benchmark that is located on the wall of the old post office in Evansville, Indiana, USA. Although much different in form to our benchmarks, its function is identical. And as extras, it displays the elevation, as well as giving a warning of the penalty for any bad folks who might be caught interfering with it. (Many thanks to that benchmarker colleague who sent it in.)

Now the question is - what do benchmarks look like in France and Germany?

Below: The Evansville, Indiana 'mark.

Above: A view of the Old Post Office building in Evansville.