Portmarnock, a beautiful town in the outskirts of County Dublin is located between Malahide and Baldoyle. The name of the town is derived from the Irish word port and Saint Marnoch who had arrived here in the 5th century AD. This peaceful town is a great escape from the busy and noisy city life, which has attractions for everyone, whether adult or kid.
The town was settled in the Neolithic times and the remains of the era can still be seen. Numerous flints and tools of that era have been excavated in the north of the town and the remains of a ring fort in the south are still visible. The town’s beach witnessed the first solo east to west transatlantic flight and was also the starting point of the Australian aviator Charles Kingsford Smith’s circumnavigation of the world. Portmarnock also boasts of the oldest stone-roofed church in Ireland, the St. Doulagh’s Church. Still in use, the church has a chapel and battlemented tower. Additionally, the premises of the church also houses Ireland’s only surviving baptistry as well as a stone pool-house. The town is also home to many other attractions like the Napoleonic Martello tower.
One place in Portmarnock that is loved by everyone who stays and visits this town is the pristine and sun-kissed beach. Nicknamed as ‘The Velvet Strand’ because of its smooth white sand, one can visit the beach with friends and family. Extending into a sandy peninsula, Portmarnock beach is famous with the kite and the wind-surfers. This versatile beach is ideal for many outdoor sports like volleyball.
Portmarnock is world-famous for its golf course, which has been a venue of many golf tournaments. The Portmarnock Golf Club has hosted the Irish Open, Walker Cup and many other tournaments. Adjacent to the course is a magnificent hotel, which was earlier known as the St. Marnock’s House. Overlooking the sea, the hotel has all the amenities that make the stay of visitors pleasant and memorable. Apart from the golf club, there are other active sports clubs in the town as well, like the Portmarnock Tennis Club and the Portmarnock Sport & Leisure Club.
Portmarnock is a beautiful place to experience slow and relaxed country life, a pleasant contrast from concrete city jungles.
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