Portmarnock

Velvet Strand, a dune landscape and traces of a rich history define Portmarnock. The long sandy beach is also known as “Velvet Strand”; beyond it stretch dunes with diverse coastal flora. If you want to make the beach and nature the focus of your trip, this is a practical starting point for planning your holiday. Culture and outdoor activities are also among the aspects of the town you can consider when choosing a holiday rental.

Coastal paths, the Greenway and dunes

A coastal walking path runs from Portmarnock to Malahide, via the beach and past St Marnock’s Church. Trail walking is also offered as an outdoor activity in Portmarnock. Another way to explore the area is the Greenway between Baldoyle and Portmarnock: it forms part of the strategic East Coast Trail and cycling infrastructure. Its route passes through a Special Area of Conservation and provides access to the Greenbelt between the two towns. The coastal path and the Greenway are therefore different ways to explore the area on a trip where exercise and scenery play a part.

The dunes are more than just a defining feature of the landscape. The Portmarnock peninsula is home to more than 250 species of dune flora, including some of Ireland’s rarer plants. The geology also offers an unusual glimpse into the past: from Portmarnock, rocks from three periods are visible—the Cambrian (541–485 million years ago), the Ordovician (485–444 million years ago) and the Carboniferous (359–299 million years ago). This diversity makes an interest in nature a reason in its own right to consider Portmarnock when planning a trip.

Activities and the town’s distinctive history

Golf and kitesurfing are also among the town’s attractions for active holiday days. Kitesurfing is offered as an outdoor activity in Portmarnock. Portmarnock Golf Club has hosted the European Tour’s Irish Open 19 times. At Jameson Golf Links, the course design makes extensive use of the dunes and natural terrain. Golf enthusiasts will find both a notable sporting history and a design that incorporates the landscape.

St Marnock’s Church is a protected monument. St Marnock’s Well is also part of the town’s history: for centuries, the well was the focal point of an annual pilgrimage. Another chapter recalls aviation. Between 1930 and 1933, Velvet Strand was a starting point for east-to-west transatlantic flights. The “Eccentric Orbit” sculpture on the promenade commemorates the aviators associated with these flights. “Portmarnock Brick” can also be seen on local buildings, including the Plunkett Cottages.

Choosing Portmarnock for your holiday

To decide whether Portmarnock suits your trip, you can weigh up your interests: the beach and dunes, paths and the Greenway, wildlife watching, golf or historic sites. If you want to include several of these, they can help you find a suitable holiday rental in town; check the specific features of any accommodation separately. DART, rail and bus connections provide access to Dublin and destinations further afield. This may be worth considering if you want to combine a stay in Portmarnock with connections beyond the town.

Other places in the same higher-level directory: Cloghran, Garristown, Rush, Na Sceirí, Tyrrelstown, Gormanston, Santry and Sutton.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: County Fingal.