Skip to content
 Limerick's Life
Menu
  • Search
  • About
  • Contact
  • Buy Me A Coffee
Menu

Over 60 Benchmarks in Limerick

Posted on May 21, 2013August 11, 2022 by Sharon Slater

What are Benchmarks?

Benchmarks are mapping tools that were used throughout the 19th century all over the world. Benchmarks today look like crows feet carved into stone with three prongs extending from a horizontal line.

They were originally created to align the base of a graduated staff, which is a stick with a series of marks, which would have been in inches back then.  The level is a swivelling telescope that can be set up to turn in a perfectly horizontal plane.  The surveyor reads the number on the staff and compares it with the number on the next staff reading.  This indicates whether one reading is above or below the other. Everything is then reduced back to the benchmark level.

They were placed on permanent structures, usually at the corners of streets in order to accurately calculate the distance between buildings. The height of the benchmark corresponded with the height of nearby benchmarks, all of which were based on a known level in relation to sea level, the guides for this was called Fundamental Benchmarks.  They were also a tool for later surveyors to use when repositioning in the same place in the future.

Where can you find Benchmarks?

Benchmarks were originally carved into stone which was considered to be permanent at the time. In urban areas, they were found quite often on the front wall or the corner of a building or on a bridge, as can be seen in the photographs below. In rural areas, they were usually found on roadside houses and farm buildings and stone pillars. Though with redevelopments and road changes the majority of these benchmarks are no longer there.

When were Benchmarks created?

The first ordnance survey, and so the first benchmarks date from 1824, were carried out by the military. By 1900 the last benchmark had been carved into stone but these markings were to aid engineers for almost a century until satellite information was developed to pinpoint locations. Each benchmark that remains today is well over 100 years old and a testament to the engineers of our past.

Benchmarks were used to create historic maps such as this one of Limerick click on the “pan” button to move the map around. You can see a collection of other benchmarks around Ireland at Benchmark Sites

You can see the locations of the Benchmarks, Fundamental Stones and MileStones that Limerick’s Life has located in the map below.

View Limerick Benchmarks in a larger map


Click on the tab to see photographs of the Benchmarks today. The numbers on this pictures correspond with the locations on the map above.

1. Old Warehouse on Shannon Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

shannon street benchmark
Benchmark at Shannon Street and Henry Street

[/learn_more]

2. Tait’s Clock, Baker Place

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Pery Square benchmark
Pery Square

[/learn_more]

3. Georgian Building, Mallow Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

mallow street benchmark
Mallow Street

[/learn_more]

4. Villers’ Orphanage and School, Henry Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

henry Street benchmark
Henry Street

[/learn_more]

5. Barrington’s Hospital, George’s Quay

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

George's Quay benchmark
George’s Quay

[/learn_more]

6. Centre of Baal’s Bridge

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Baals bridge benchmark
Baals Bridge

[/learn_more]

7. Corner of Roden Street and O’Connell Avenue

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Roden Street Benchmark
Roden Street

[/learn_more]

8. O’Connell Avenue

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

O'Connell Avenue
O’Connell Avenue

[/learn_more]

9. Carlisle Terrace, O’Connell Avenue

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

O'Connell Avenue
O’Connell Avenue

[/learn_more]

10. St. John’s Parish Fountain, Cathedral Place

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Cathedral Place
Cathedral Place

[/learn_more]

11. Centre of Mathew Bridge

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mathew Bridge
Mathew Bridge

[/learn_more]

12. Townhouse, John Square

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

John's Square
John’s Square

[/learn_more]

13. Cleeve’s Factory, formally John Norris Russell Flax Mill, O’Callaghan Strand

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

O'Callaghan Strand
O’Callaghan Strand

[/learn_more]

14. Boat Club, Sarsfield Bridge formally Wellesley Bridge

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Sarsfield Bridge
Sarsfield Bridge

[/learn_more]

15. Centre of Thomond Bridge

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Thomond bridge
Thomond Bridge

[/learn_more]

16. Remnant of Old Park Bridge, on O’Dwyers Bridge

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

O'Dwyer's Bridge
O’Dwyer’s Bridge

[/learn_more]

17. Workhouse/St.Camillus Hospital, Shelbourne Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Shelbourne Road
Shelbourne Road

[/learn_more]

18. Gatehouse, Corbally Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Corbally Road

[/learn_more]

19. Railway Bridge, Corbally Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Corbally Road
Corbally Road

[/learn_more]

20. Back of St. Mary’s Cathedral, St. Augustine Lane

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

St. Augustine Lane
St. Augustine Lane

[/learn_more]

21. Lock Mill Archway, Canal Bank

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Canal Bank
Canal Bank

[/learn_more]

22. The Milk Market, Mungret Street.

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Milk Market
Milk Market

[/learn_more]

23. Athlunkard Bridge, Corbally

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Athlunkard Bridge
Athlunkard Bridge

[/learn_more]

24. Red Path, Springbrook, Corbally

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

springbrook
Springbrook

[/learn_more]

25. Ryanhart House, Mill Road, Corbally

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mill Road
Mill Road

[/learn_more]

26. Old Bishop’s House, Mill Road, Corbally

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mill Road
Mill Road

[/learn_more]

27. Courthouse, Merchant’s Quay

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Merchant's Quay
Merchant’s Quay

[/learn_more]

28. Newtown Mahon, Upper William Street.

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Newtown Mahon
Newtown Mahon

[/learn_more]

29. Limerick Clothing Factory, Lord Edward Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

lord edward street
Lord Edward Street

[/learn_more]

30. South Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

south circular road
South Circular Road

[/learn_more]

31. Mount St. Alphonsus, South Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

South circular road
South Circular Road

[/learn_more]

32. Old Gas Works, Dock Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Dock Road
Dock Road

[/learn_more]

33. Potato Market, Merchants Quay

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Potato Market
Potato Market

[/learn_more]

34. Custom House, Rutland Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Custom House
Rutland Street

[/learn_more]

35. The Granary, Michael Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Michael Street
Michael Street

[/learn_more]

36. Good Shepherd Convent (Art College), Clare Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Clare Street
Clare Street

[/learn_more]

37. Saint Peter Street, off Nicholas Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

St. Peter Street
St. Peter Street

[/learn_more]

38. North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

39. Heron Court, North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

40. Villers School, North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

41. North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

42. Eden Terrace, North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

43. North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

44. Beech Lawn, North Circular Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

North Circular Road
North Circular Road

[/learn_more]

45. O’Connell Street, at Hartstonge Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

O'Connell Street
O’Connell Street

[/learn_more]

46. Bishop’s Quay

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Harvey's Quay
Bishop’s Quay

[/learn_more]

47. Old Barracks, Mulgrave Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mulgrave Street
Mulgrave Street

[/learn_more]

48. Lancaster School, Old Clare Street

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Old Clare Street
Old Clare Street

[/learn_more]

49. Mount Saint Lawrence Cemetery Boundary Wall

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mount Saint Lawrence
Mount Saint Lawrence

[/learn_more]

50. Villiers Alms House, Church Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Widows Alms
Widows Alms Houses

[/learn_more]

51. Limerick Prison, Mulgrave Street

With many thanks to a very nice Prison Warden who took the close-up picture.
[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Limerick Prison
Limerick Prison

[/learn_more]

52. Saint John’s Cathedral, Garryowen Road

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

St John's Cathedral
St John Cathedral

[/learn_more]

53. Mallow Street and Pery Square

This benchmark is with thanks to Benchmark Sites

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mallow Street
Mallow Street

[/learn_more]

54. St Michael Church, Church of Ireland, Pery Square

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

St Michael Church
St Michael Church

[/learn_more]

55. Villier’s Alms House, Church Street, second mark

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

villers[/learn_more]

56. Clancy Strand

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

clancy strand benchmark[/learn_more]

57. Thomond House, Thomondgate

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

thomond house [/learn_more]

58. Wall of the former Good Shepherd Convent, Clare Street

Image with thanks to Joe Mag Fhionnghaile

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Good Shepherd [/learn_more]

59. Castle Troy

Image with thanks to Joe Mag Fhionnghaile

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Castle Troy Benchmark [/learn_more]

60. St Patrick’s Well

Image with thanks to Joe Mag Fhionnghaile

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

St Patrick's Well Benchmark [/learn_more]

61. Sarsfield Barracks

Sarsfield Barracks has a number of benchmarks and fundemental stones surrounding its large complex. This one is at the entrance on Lord Edward Street.

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image”]

[/learn_more]

62. Sarsfield Barracks

Next to Barrack Fields

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image”]

[/learn_more]


Miles Stones

Other stone street markers are the Mile Stones, which were old version of sign posts indicating how many miles were between one location and another.

1. Dublin Road, Mile Stone and Benchmark

Showing the distance between Limerick and Nenagh. This benchmark is thanks to Bock the Robber

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

hurlers

[/learn_more]

2.Dock Road, Mile Stone

This shows the distance between Limerick and Tarbert

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

Mile Stone at on the Dock Road
Mile Stone at on the Dock Road

[/learn_more]

3. Canal Bank, Mile Stone

This shows the distance between Limerick and Killaloe

[learn_more caption=”view image” state=”view image“]

canal[/learn_more]
If in your wanderings around Limerick you discover any of your own benchmarks, let us know and we will add it to the custom Benchmark Map above.

Search This Site

  • Chronicles
  • Churches
  • Collaborations
  • Dr. Crumpe's Weather 1795
  • Featured
  • Folklore
  • Graveyards
  • Guest Posts
  • History
  • Letters
  • Limerick Places
  • Making The Most Of
  • On This Day
  • People & Genealogy
  • Press & Published
  • Quizzes
  • Rediscovering Limerick
  • Streets
  • Videos
  • Visitors to Limerick
  • Weddings 1862
  • Weddings 1863
  • Who was?

About Limerick’s Life

This website is a personal project of Sharon Slater, born from a passion for Limerick and its history. It has been maintained, updated and contributed to it independently and voluntarily. If you'd like to buy me a coffee to keep Limerick's history online, please know that all donations will go directly into the costs of hosting the website and the time and travel to research and write the articles found on the site.

Buy Me A Coffee
books
awards
awards
© 2025 Limerick's Life | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme