The Bench Marks of Laois: Built Heritage at Risk

Bench marks are symbols used by the Ordnance Survey of Ireland since the 1830s to indicate a standardised height measures across the island of Ireland. The bench mark symbol was cut into permanent structures like bridge piers, building plinths, or concrete pillars and are often hidden in plain sight, in towns, cities and rural parts of Ireland. Unfortunately, benchmarks lack protected status in Ireland and many Laois benchmarks have disappeared over time due to erosion and redevelopment.

Join Kevin Sheehy for a talk on the bench marks of County Laois, how to find them and why they should be preserved as part of our local built heritage.