NUMBER 499

BENCHMARKS continued

EDIT UPDATE ALERT!

Only the young are infallible and whatever else they are, M.C. and Benchmarker are far from young. Now read on ....

A while back M.C. had a look for the 'mark on the bridge on the Camac River on the South Circular Road in Dublin. It wasn't easy to spot because the bridge wall was clad in ivy. However it appeared that he found it and Benchmarker was sufficiently convinced to include it here (see below). Now with the ivy removed a different scenario emerges. The lesson here is that if it looks like a duck, talks like a duck and walks like a duck, it just mightn't be a duck; and most certainly it isn't a benchmark either. Appointments for M.C. and Benchmarker have been booked at Specsavers.

Below: The 'mark on the bridge on the Camac on the South Circular Road, Dublin City.

 Above: Looking south on the South Circular Road with the 'mark at left on the top of the wall.

Below: The original post for Number 499

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. took the opportunity to venture into Benchmarkers 'hood while he was away gallivanting in foreign climes during the Summer and bagged this one on the east side of the bridge over the Camac at South Circular Road, Kilmainham, Dublin City. It is not very clear to the unaided eye and even M.C. was doubtful, but the chalk never lies. Also the maps show that it should be there. And - the clincher - on his return Benchmarker applied the touch test and pronounced it genuine. It goes in!

Below: The 'mark on the Bridge over the River Camac at the South Circular Road in Dublin City.

 

Above: On the South Circular Road looking south with the 'mark at left on the capping stone.

NUMBER 498

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from M.C. is on the south-west corner of Saint Bridget's Church at Bride Street in Wexford.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Bridget's Church in Wexford Town.

 

 Above: Looking towards Bride Street with the 'mark on the corner facing.

NUMBER 497

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. spotted this one on a gate pillar of an entrance - at the south-east corner - to Stillorgan Reservoir at Brewery Road in Dublin. In all his years in Dublin, Benchmarker has known of the existence of the Stillorgan Reservoir but has yet to clasp eyes on it.

Below: A 'mark on Brewery Road, Stillorgan, County Dublin.

 

 Above: The entrance to Stillorgan Reservoir with the 'mark to the right of the pedestrian entrance at right.

NUMBER 496

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C.'s Summer odyssey included a stop in Ballymore Eustace in County Kildare where he found this one on Ballymore Bridge.

Below: The 'mark on Ballymore Bridge, Ballymore Eustace, County Kildare.

 

Above: Down these narrow roads the lonely benchmark hunter must go. Looking south on Ballymore Bridge with the 'mark at left.

NUMBER 495

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. was in Arklow, County Wicklow for this one. It's on the Bank of Ireland building at the junction of Main Street and Upper Main Street at a place called Parade Ground.

Below: The 'mark on the Bank of Ireland, Arklow, County Wicklow.

 

 Above: Looking towards Parade Ground with the 'mark on the bank building at left.

NUMBER 494

BENCHMARKS continued

M.C. had to get out the telephoto to record this one. It's on the wall of a fenced off, derelict house a short distance west from the crossroads at Brittas, County Dublin. At 854.7 feet, it's the highest yet.

Below: The 'mark near Brittas crossroads in County Dublin.

 

Above: A view of the building whereon is the 'mark. It is impossible to see it here but it is on the front of the building, a short way from the corner at right.

NUMBER 493

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from M.C. is on an old farm building just off the N81 a.k.a the Blessington Road, near the northern tip of the reservoir at Raheen in County Dublin.

Below: The 'mark on the Blessington Road at Raheen, County Dublin. Look closely; it is at bottom right on the wall.

 

 Above: A view of the building holding the 'mark. It is out of sight on the wall just behind the gate. At 782.1 feet, this is the highest yet. But for how long?