NUMBER 1,016

BENCHMARKS continued

This second one from Dunshaughlin is on Saint Sechnall's Church.

Below: The 'mark on Saint Sechnall's Church in Dunshaughlin in County Meath.

 

 Above: A view looking west at Saint Sechnall's Church with the 'mark at bottom right on the wall of the church.

NUMBER 1,015

BENCHMARKS continued

Filled with sorrow and remorse, M.C. and Benchmarker quietly turned away from Ballivor and sped towards Dunshaughlin were richer pickings awaited. First up is this one on Saint Secundinus' Church on the northside of the town.

 

Below: The 'mark on Saint Secundinus' Church in Dunshaughlin in County Meath.

 

Above: A view looking east of Saint Secundinus' Church. The 'mark is at bottom left on the stone surround of the entrance door. At right is what remains of a far earlier church here.

NUMBER 1,014

BENCHMARKS continued

Of all the many, many references to the many, many, many features of Ballivor that can be found in song and in story, in poems, memoirs, documentaries, plays, novels, feature films, news reels, etc, etc, etc, how disappointing it is then to consider that its finest feature - the wonderful, wonderful benchmark on the fine old stone-built Earls Bridge on the Stonyford River - has been completely ignored. It falls therefore to M.C. and Benchmarker to attempt, more in sorrow than in anger, with this small heart-felt tribute here on this website, to correct this great injustice.

 

Below: The 'mark on Earls Bridge at Ballivor in County Meath.

 

Above: On Earls Bridge looking north with the 'mark on the left at bottom left of the stone plaque which, for all anyone is able to tell, perhaps gives the date of the erection of the bridge, and by who it was paid for and carried out; but its not possible to tell because the plaque, like the 'mark, is so unappreciated that it has been allowed to become smothered with lichens. How disappointing!

NUMBER 1,013

BENCHMARKS continued

Benchmarker chanced upon this one, on the wall of the Phoenix Park, while frustratingly pacing the road when waiting for a bus near the Islandbridge Gate on Conyngham Road in Dublin City. The 25” map does not record it; however just across the road there is one shown on a terrace that is now long gone.

 

Below: A 'mark on Conyngham Road at Islandbridge.

 

Above: On Conyngham Road looking west past the Islandbridge Gate and with the 'mark at bottom right.

NUMBER 1,012

BENCHMARKS continued

Michael Byrne's magnificent benchmark hunt in Edinburgh concluded with this final one, located on the Royal Mile at it's junction with Saint Mary's Street, adorning a pub called The World's End. With well over 100 'marks bagged on this particular hunt, it's an achievement that is unlikely to ever be bettered. What must be appreciated is that Michael could have gone on and on only the weather conspired to make him call a halt. Michael included this note from his hunting log “This is where I simply gave up - beaten into submission by the torrential rain, which is very evident in the location photo. On my last day in Edinburgh, I was anxious to record the many benchmarks on the famous Royal Mile - the road running down from the Castle to Holyrood Palace. However, the elements had other plans, and whatever about being soaked through, I was more worried about my camera, tablet, phone and notebook getting any wetter that they already were. This area was known as the world's end, as the city walls once finished here - as I did.”

Below: The 'mark on the World's End on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

 

Above: On the Royal Mile looking west with the 'mark on the left.

NUMBER 1,011

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Michael Byrne from Edinburgh is on on Saint Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile.

Below: A 'mark on Saint Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

 

 Above: Looking south at the cathedral with the 'mark at bottom right.

 

NUMBER 1,010

BENCHMARKS continued

This one from Michael Byrne from Edinburgh is on Old Assembly Close on the Royal Mile.

Below: A 'mark on Old Assembly Close on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.

 

 Above: On the Royal Mile and looking south with the 'mark at the base of the left hand side of the entry arch to the Close.