NUMBER 102

BENCHMARKS continued

With little trace of it left, this one at the entrance to Dublin Castle on Ship Street, could very easily be missed. To make sure it showed up in the photograph Benchmarker outlined the cuts by rubbing them with spittle - crude, uncouth, but effective; and so Benchmarker apologies if anyone’s sensitivities are offended but sometimes needs must.

Below: The ‘mark on Ship Street, Dublin.Above: The entrance to Dublin Castle on Ship Street with the ‘mark to the right of the larger arch, near the bottom. Nearby, Benchmarker’s trusty umbrella stands guard.

NUMBER 101

BENCHMARKS continued

There are a number of churches in the Dublin region that are named after Saint Mary. This one is located in Howth, just off the entrance road to the Castle. It was built in the early 19^th century and, except for the spire which was retained, was demolished and re-built in the middle of that century.

Below: The ‘mark on Saint Mary’s Church in Howth, Co Dublin.

Above: Saint Mary’s Church, Howth. The ’mark is located to the left of the door at the base of the spire, at bottom left.

NUMBER 100

BENCHMARKS continued
 

Perhaps an appropriate way to mark - no pun intended! - the 100^th recorded 'mark, is with this one at the Poolbeg Lighthouse in Dublin Bay. Why? Well because the original Ordnance Survey used the low-water mark of the spring tide on the 8th April 1837 at the Poolbeg Lighthouse as a standard height for all its maps, a practice which continued - by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland - up until 1958. The height - for those who are interested - is 20.9 feet on the 25 inch maps, while the original 6 inch maps had it as 21 feet (close enough for jazz), with the high-water mark given as 13 feet. On the visit, Benchmarker (who brought no scuba gear) was unable to spot any trace of either the high or low-water marks that were originally established for these measurements.

Below: The 'mark at the Poolbeg Lighthouse in Dublin Bay. Note that the 'mark is on a horizontal surface whereas most 'marks are on vertical surfaces.

Above: The base of the Poolbeg Lighthouse looking north with the 'mark at left about 1/5^th of the way along, and below, the red wall. At right centre is the North Bull Lighthouse, to where Benchmarker will repair presently.

NUMBER 99

BENCHMARKS continued 

For anyone on a benchmark hunt, this one, nestling in the shadow of the railway bridge over Sarsfield Road in Dublin, could be easily missed. It's doubtful if Benchmarker would have spotted it had it not been for the clue in the 25 inch O.S.I. maps.

Below: The 'mark on Sarsfield Road, Dublin.

Above: Sarsfield Road looking west towards 'The Ranch' (the childhood home of Big Al) with the 'mark on the bottom of the wall pillar at extreme left.

NUMBER 98

BENCHMARKS continued

“It was my fate at birth

To make my mark upon the earth.”

When the man who chiselled this 'mark upon the base of the railings of Saint Stephen's Green West, he would have done so unaware that it would later mark the Northern Terminal of the Luas Green Line. “That's what it is now!”

Below: The 'mark on the base of the railings. Note that there is no horizontal line carved above it; Benchmarker suspects that the top of the base wall substituted for this.

Above: St Stephen's Green West looking east towards Harcourt Street, with the 'mark at extreme left bottom, and the Luas Green Line terminal at right. In the middle distance a young couple mimic Bobby and Suzi as seen on the cover of "The Freewheelin' " LP.

NUMBER 97

BENCHMARKS continued

'Un banc, un arbre, un benchmark .....'

This one is located on a stone pillar that marks the old electoral ward of Usher's Quay at the south-east corner of Sarah Bridge on the South Circular Road in Dublin. Perhaps it is not a true benchmark.

Below: The 'mark on the ward marker stone pillar.

Above: The 'mark is located atop the stone pillar to the left of the bench.

NUMBER 96

BENCHMARKS continued

This 'mark on the Old Church on Clarendon Street in Derry is the first of this new year, causing Benchmarker to resolve to return soon to the Maiden City for a more extensive reconnaissance. Although many fine buildings, and with them their attached 'marks, disappeared during the Troubles, many endured. So it seems fair to conclude a more thorough search will provide a goodly haul.

Below: The 'mark on the Old Church, Clarendon Street, Derry. The building is now used as an office for the trades union Unison.

Above: The Old Church with Clarendon Street to the right, and Queen Street to the left. The 'mark is to the right to the front door, just one pace behind the young man with the shopping bag.