The intention with this website is to locate at least 1,001 benchmark sites, or die in the attempt (no flowers please, house private). Photos of any benchmark sites found will be posted at intervals over the coming days, weeks, months, years, decades, centuries ... Anyone who wishes to contribute can send photos and descriptions of any benchmarks they find and would like to have included here, to mfbourke@gmail.com See post Number 1 for a fuller description.

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Sunday, June 12, 2011

NUMBER 142

BENCHMARKS continued
 
Like almost everything else in auld Dublin, Westland Row Church gets referenced in Ulysses, James Joyce's auld buke. Benchmarker recalls something about Leopold walking by it as he headed to Sweny's chemist shop on Lincoln Place to buy a bar of lemon scented soap for his wife, Molly. Sadly there is no reference to Leopold looking across to his left to enjoy this fine 'mark on the front of the church.

Below: The 'mark on Westland Row Church.
Above: Westland Row Church with the 'mark visible through the railings just to the right of the largest blue door.

NUMBER 141

BENCHMARKS continued
 
This one is on the front of Saint Mark's Church on Mark Street at the junction with Pearse Street - not far from the building that used to be the Academy Cinema - in Dublin. This building is no longer in use as a church but now fulfills a more secular purpose. Too bad, because not many people know this but Saint Mark is reputed to be the patron saint of benchmarkers. Where now can we all (Benchmarker and M.C.) go to worship? It will just have to be Rea's.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Mark's Church.

Above: The front aspect of Saint Mark's Church with the 'mark just to the left of the door, visible through the railings. And another thing! What's all this about bricking up windows? Was the architect consulted? No, I didn't think so!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

NUMBER 140

BENCHMARKS continued
 
This one is on the north-west corner of O'Connell Bridge in Dublin City Centre - once fondly referred to as 'an Lar'.

Below: The 'mark on O'Connell Bridge.Above: O'Connell Bridge looking south. The 'mark is close to the bottom right.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

NUMBER 139

BENCHMARKS continued
 
'There are none so blind as those who will not see.'

This fine fellow is to be seen on the river wall about 20 paces west of Halfpenny Bridge on the south side of the Liffey.

Below: The 'mark on Wellington Quay, Dublin.
Above: Oblivious to the benchmark gold just behind them, this foreign film crew - the cameraman person, the producer person woman, and the sound man chappie - set up the stock shot of people traversing the Metal Bridge. The 'mark, as clear as mud to a blind man sitting backwards on a galloping horse, is at bottom left.

NUMBER 138

BENCHMARKS continued
Another example of two for the price of one. This pair are on the north-east corner of O'Donovan Rossa Bridge on the River Liffey. The 25" maps indicate that there should only be one there.
Below: The 'marks on O'Donovan Rossa Bridge. Surprisingly neither has the 'level' cut atop it. Someone has identified the lower one by daubing the letters BM on the pavement nearby.
Above: O'Donovan Rossa Bridge looking towards the Civic Offices. The 'marks are on the corner of the bridge.

NUMBER 137

BENCHMARKS continued
 
This one is on Merchant's Quay in Dublin and is located on the river wall about 1/3rd of the way from Father Mathew Bridge towards O'Donovan Rossa Bridge.

Below: The 'mark on Merchant's Quay.
Above: The view from Merchant's Quay looking southwards towards Father Mathew Bridge with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 136

BENCHMARKS continued
 
Slowly but surely the Liffey quays from Heuston Bridge to the Irish Sea are giving up their benchmark secrets. This one, on the river wall at Usher's Quay, lines up precisely with the centre line of Saint Paul's Church on the opposite side of the river.

Below: The 'mark on Usher's Quay.
Above: Usher's Quay looking across the wide Liffey. The 'mark is on the river wall at centre bottom.

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