PORTMARNOCKOn the East coast of the Island of Ireland 53°25´N - 6°07´W Waves Beautiful Portmarnock on The Velvet Strand..... The village of Portmarnock is without a port yet! However, does have a station, that in the1850's at a leisurely 40.m.p.h. brought thousands to the beach, connecting station and strand by horse drawn cariage. These days the old pleasure train has become the ´sardine-line´to ´Banklin! ´ The name Portmarnock originated from Irish meaning port, and St.Marnock who arrived there in the fifth century. Marnock a missionary of St.Patrick,also associated with Kilmarnock in Scotland, converted the local Celts from worshiping Water, Trees,and Wells, to Christianity. (Tendencies that are still prevalent today if you observe the inhabitants fancy gardens!) Being politically correct Marnock blessed the Druid Well and it became the Holy Well. The ruins of Marnock's church are still to be seen in the graveyard - off the Strand Road. Portmarnock had been settled thousands of years before, in Neolithic times. A number of remains of activity in the area from these times is still evident today, with flints and other tools having been excavated at the north fringe of Portmarnock, while the remains of a ring fort are visible from the air at the south of the town. The son of Queen Maedhbh of Connaught - Maine - is buried locally. Theses days Portmarnock is better knnown for its famous golf club and the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf l Links Beach IslandsOn Portmarnock beach you can see two islands, one - Ireland's Eye, the other Lambay Island. Ireland's Eye a natural bird sanctuary can be reached by the local boat service. The rock protuding at the North of the 53 acre island is better known as "The Stack".
Lambay or "Barings Island" Lambay Island is well known as the Barings-Bank Island due to its continued ownership of the Barings Family. Two and a half kilomietres square it is also an important bird sancturay and one of the largest Islands off the east coast.
FAMOUS EVENTSThe Transatlantic stretch of the Circumnavigation of the Globe. THE SOUTHERN CROSS on the 24th of June 1930 from the Velvet Strand of Portmarnock - Australian, Kingford Smith flew to Newfoundland, and on to New York arriving with his four man crew including Irish Navigator Captain Paddy Saul to a massive welcome in City Hall on Independence Day. A sculpture remembering the historic flight is to be seen on Portmarnock Beachfront, it is in the shape of the globe with all the continents on it and the historic flightpath marked
ECCENTRIC ORBITTHE SOUTHERN CROSS MONUMENT Is dedicated to The Southern Cross. The monument was designed by Two and a half metre high with a circumference from 2 metres, weighing eight tons built from limestone. The bronze needle points directly to the North Star. 18th August 1932 Jim Mollison completed the first solo east to west flight of the North Atlantic, flying a de Havilland DH80A Puss Moth (G-ABXY) Mollison flew from Portmarnock to Pennfield Ridge in New Brunswick in 31 hours 20 minutes.
The other Roscommon man, William Percy French from Cloonyqin. Who inspired by Beautiful Portmarnock while on many holidays here, went on to pen many famous songs: The Mountains of Mourne, and Are Ye Right there Michael! ( for a tune: go to: www.contemplator.com/history/pfrench.html Michael & Lena, Niel Jordan, John & Mary, The Crottys', The McSharrys', The Mulligans,The Burns', The Propaganda, Wireless - MARCONI & The Webmaster. Sport In 1927 the first Irish Open golf Championship was held in Portmarnock. For more information go to: www.portmarnockgolfclub.ie Sands Hotel, formaly known as The North Coast Hotel, for more information go to: www.whitesandshotel.ie The Golf Links Inn, see photos. Famous Houses The House of Jameson, was built in 1847, reconstructed in 1895, and sold toThe Irish Tourist Board. In 1945 it opened as an Hotel. The Country Club managment was taken over by John Galvin in 1949. Now The Portmarnock Hotel & Gol Links. For more information go to: www.portmarnock.com So on a cold winter's night, when you are sitting beside your fireside and sipping a glass of Jamenson - close your eyes and imagine - Portmarnock Waves! LINKS
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