NUMBER 999

BENCHMARKS continued

An Encounter with the Ghost's Hand at Clarinbridge.

A week or two back, M.C. and Benchmarker saddled up and rode the Iron Horse from their Dublin homestead, out across the Kildare prairie, through the Westmeath Territory and over the majestic Shannon and on through the Western Badlands to the frontier town of Galway, where a coach sped them on to the Clarinbridge settlement and a rendezvous with compadre John Quinn.

OK! OK! Enough of the cowpoke talk! It's just that Benchmarker got into that mood when recalling a passage or two from the radio documentary 'Goodnight Balivor, I'll Sleep in Trim' - John Quinn's memoir of his childhood in the1940/50s in the village of Balivor in County Meath. A few years after the radio programme John produced a written version of his memoir; and in that book there is a section on the estate of Elm Grove. And within that section there is a paragraph that refers to a particular benchmark on the wall of the estate. Here below is the paragraph: - 

On first reading that two word, second-last sentence - “How disappointing” - the effect on M.C. and Benchmarker felt like a kick to the solar plexus by a Montana mountain mule. The very notion that anyone, especially John Quinn, could be so curtly dismissive of the wonders and joys of benchmarks has been difficult to deal with. However while this did not mar the air of geniality that prevailed during the recent appointment at Clarinbridge, it has not been forgotten and it can be taken that John Quinn will not be receiving any time soon an invitation to join the Most Honourable, Wise and Worshipful Company of Benchmark Hunters and Allied Trades.

Below: The ghost hand on the bridge at ClarinBridge in Galway County.

 

 Above: On the bridge at Clarinbridge with the ghost hand at bottom left, while in the distance John Quinn and M.C. examine a plaque on the bridge wall. In the far distance is Paddy Burke's saloon which served up some mighty fine chow, plumb better'an beans 'n' coffee.

NUMBER 998

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on Spittal Street opposite Grindlay Street.

Below: Another 'mark on Spittal Street, Edinburgh.

 

 Above: On Spittal Street looking north east and with 'mark on the right.

NUMBER 997

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on Lonsdale Terrace at its junction with Bougham Place.

Below: A 'mark on Lonsdale Terrace, Edinburgh.

 

 Above: On Lonsdale Terrace and looking east and with the 'mark on the left.

NUMBER 996

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on Saint Michael's Church in Bougham Place.

Below: A 'mark on Saint Michael's Church in Bougham Place, Edinburgh.

 

Above: At the church and looking north and with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 995

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on Bruntsfield Terrace.

Below: A 'mark on on Bruntsfield Terrace , Edinburgh.

 

Above: On Bruntsfield Terrace looking north west and with the 'mark on the left.

NUMBER 994

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on Warrender Park Crescent at its junction with Whitehouse Loan.

Below: A 'mark on Warrender Park Crescent, Edinburgh.

 

Above: On Warrender Park Crescent looking east and with the 'mark at lower right behind one of Edinburgh's many rock salt storage bins, far too heavy to move!

NUMBER 993

BENCHMARKS continued

This one in Edinburgh, Scotland, from Michael Byrne is on a gate pillar on Greenhills Gardens.

Below: Another 'mark on Greenhills Gardens, Edinburgh.

 

Above: On Greenhills Gardens looking south and with the 'mark on the right.