Portmarnock is a great and ideal place to admire magnificent views of Lambay Island from a stunning Irish coast very close to the capital of the country Dublin which is just 15,0 kilometres away and situated on a scenic peninsula facing the charming centre of Baldoyle.
That coastal municipality of approximately 10,000 inhabitants in the County of Fingal is well known to boast a beautiful sandy golden beach and it is connected to the major centre of Ireland by the Dart that fast and efficient extra urban train on which you can also reach in a few minutes along a spectacular coastline many pleasant and charming villages and beautiful small towns such as the famed Howt,Malahide among others.(I wrote posts about those two places if you are interested)
Ireland is a paradise of nature,beautiful green landscapes,a rich historic patrimony with a distinctive emblem its ancient Gaelic culture linked to secular traditions.A land in which furthermore the Vikings became settlers after their trips across the North Sea landing there and contributing to the history of the country.
Other people landed there with different missions as the emblematic and venerated figure of Saint Patrick who met along those coasts the Celts,pagan populations who were converted to the Christian Religion and another famed Religious character called Marnock a missionary of the the order of that iconic Saint did the same once reached Portmarnock.
That town part of the province of Leinster has a long old history to narrate.According historic information related to some excavations in all the area of Dublin Bay and along the prolongation of the local coastline of the county were found important rests dating back the Neolithic era,a discovery which attests a very ancient human presence in that land.
Populated by the Celts who were the first former settlers to develop the first relevant centres,its name also has Celtic origin and it is Port Mearnóg,a denomination which derives from that missionary previously mentioned called Marnock and obviously by its local harbour.
The story related to that man landed in that western Irish coastal stretch in the 5th century coming from the Scottish town of Kilmanrock located in the County of East Ayrshire is very captivating linking two lands as Ireland and Scotland which apart strong cultural and heritage links with different meetings of their former populations also have historic episodes like that one which related them.
The name of those two centres has in common as you can notice the denomination of that missionary with that word Marnock presents in both. All that because that Religious character visited Scotland and during his mission focused to the convert the Gaelic Picts and Scots he also founded there a Sacred temple in that named Kirkmarnock,Kirk,Church of Marnock.
Once ended his work there he sailed towards Ireland and did the same in the that former Irish village,
That Religious Father met the Irish Celtic inhabitants and just like in his previous experience in Scotland converted those pagan settlers.
That Gaelic tribe venerated before that meeting several divinities among them a Druid Well.To transmit the Christian Religion to that polytheist people,the missionary blessed that pagan icon which became for all them the Holy Well.Marnock also built as in Scotland a former Church located in Strand Road on which it is visible the foundation on a graveyard.
Apart that iconic historic event also Portmarnock as all Ireland had its suggestive and captivating Gaelic legends surrounded by mysteries and mysticism.One of them tells that the former settlement was often visited by the legendary Queen Medt of Connaugh which reached that place to meet some Druids.In that narration that woman was depicted as a sort of Goddess with magical powers and someone said that the son of that figure is buried in a corner of the current municipality.
The chronological historic stages of the town continued with the occupation of the Norsemen who established all along the coastline of Dublin important settlements having at the beginning pretty friendly relationships with the local Celts but in the course of their expansion in Irish territories,they started to find a climate of hostility with first clashes and battles ending in a war.
A local tribe which lived in the area participated next to emblematic figure of King Brian Boru from Killaloe (I wrote a post about that place if you are interested) in that epic battle which took place in Clontarf in the early 11th century in a territory located in the outskirts of Dublin.
That clash was determined by the union of the local Celtic tribes who faced those Nordic rulers under the leadership of that legendary character in the year 1014 with the defeat of the seconds.That was a historic event which was a sort of prelude of the loss of power of the Men of the North and the escalation of the Celts in the Island starting with their clan dynasties to rule the country.
That was a relevant starting of a new era of a new Ireland which found after centuries of claims and disputes among several local tribes,unity,agreements and compactness of the almost entire population for a common cause.
.
As all the Nation also Portmarnock in the 12th century fell under Anglo-Normand rule after that massive invasion which was another chapter characterised by a secular tumultuous long period often highlighted by riots,revolts,local rebellions,rebellions and mutiny.Incorporated in the English Kingdom for several centuries,the current municipalities lived the major part of that long time inserted in the maritime network organised along Dublin coast with a pretty active dock at local level.
During the long British occupation,that coastal centre due to its strategic position on a peninsula which is as a natural check point was used as defencive bastion to protect the Irish coast by the incursions of the Napoleonic fleet.The course of the local history continued as part of the Eire,the Republic of Ireland with its Independence obtained in the 20s of the 20th century.
The centre of the town is mainly arranged the long Strand Road which crosses the municipal boundaries from north to south running along the beach and close the famous Country Club.In its western side is situated Carrickhill Road which is the main connection between the southern and northern extra radius and between those two roads is concentrated the core of the municipality.
The town is very famous for its splendid beach so appreciated for the quality of its soft sand which gave it the name of Velvet Strand.It is a very loved long sandy stretch which since a long time ago and it is a favourite destination for many people from Dublin and the towns of the interior.
The golden tonality of its sands is a a very special highlight and it is considered one of the best of the entire country and also it is very well maintained and awarded with the prestigious symbol consisting in the Blue Flag.That beach also offers the chance to practise different kind of water sports such as sailing,swimming but in particular surfing and kite surfing.In the last decades thanks to the favourable conditions linked to those kind of activities many people found along it an authentic mecca.
Apart its scenic beauty and all that it offers,Velvet Strand was also highlighted by a relevant historic event.On it on 23th June 1930,Charles Kingsford Smith an experienced Australian aviator used that beach for the legendary first Transatlantic flight to the West Cardinal Point connecting Europe to America landing at Terranova in Canada.
That man and the Southern Cross,the aeroplane which was protagonist of that flight overhead the Ocean linking one continent to another fascinated millions of people and Portmarnock gain popularity and fame due such great exploit.In the year 1932 just two years later that unforgettable aviation chapter a British pilot called Jim Mollisson decided to repeat a flight landing in that occasion in another Canadian corner landing in the County of New Brunswick and that trip endured approximately 31 hours.
Today in Portmanrock close to that iconic beach commemorating the first emblematic flight shows a monument erected in 1999 dedicated to the aeroplane Southern Cross.It consists in a sphere representing the world of over 2,0 metres of circumference and approximately 2,40 m high.Made in bronze it is a work by Rachel Joynt and Remco Dfouw,who placed that symbol there to remember something which gave importance and relevance to the municipality and Velvet Strand.
A special highlight in that seaside town is the magnificent view of Lambay Island from a stunning Irish coast which is in every season splendid for its scenic horizon which transmits the ancient times of those landings of the Vikings along it coming from Scandinavia and immediately behind the green Irish countryside which complete a fairytale scenery making a magnificent picture of a set of the most picturesque Ireland in all its essence between sea and green nature.
That volcanic island is closely linked to the Norsemen for its name which derives from a denomination that Scandinavian population gave it,Lamb Ey and it is located approximately 4,0 kilometres from the Irish coastline.
With a surface of approximately 2,5 square kilometres on its surface according archaeological excavations were discovered traces and tools dating back the iron age certifying the existence of human life
in that very scenic and enchanting island.
Including the ancient historians and writers as the Greek Egyptian Claudius Ptolemy and the Roman Pliny the Elder narrated that land denominating it Limnus linked to the rich presence of limestone.The first Celts gave it the name Reachra.
Lambay Island has a very suggestive history but also a mysterious aura around it,some narrations tells it was a refuge of some people who found there refuge escaping from Brigantia in the old Northern Anglia escaping during the Roman occupation in the 1st century.Furthermore it was also a haven of St.Columba that iconic Religious character who established there a monastery or Religious headquarter in the 6th century bur abandoned in a short time.
Including the Viking despite raids along the coast of that small island never developed there something of important despite the strategic position was for them always a primary priority but mysteriously they never used it as base for their numerous operations and so close to the Irish mainland.
there were frequent several shipwrecks,the most famous was that of the English boat RMS Tayleur on 21st january 1854 a tragic event which had 380 victims.
The conformation of Lambay island including is very suggestive from a perspective it appears as a crab or a sort of scorpion,with two tips forming a bay similar to two pedipals.The maximum height is 127,0 metres and in the opposite side you can see two other headlands one pretty rounded and another one longer and sharp.
Lambay Castle is one of the historic attractions a medieval building with in its proximity a large gardens and an large meadow flanked by woodlands.That place is also a favourite destination for scuba divers who thanks to the deep local waters,services and facilities and a great sea bed love that small island.
The access to the island is possible by an authorisation delivered by the owners the family Baring and it can be arranged at Rush in the port of Rogerstown at approximately 26,0 kilometres from the Capital Dublin in a centre situated between Portrane and Skerries.(If you are interested I wrote a post about that latter place)
Another great attraction of the island is its fauna,with the presence of gray seals but what it is impressive is the massive presence of birds of different species consisting in thousands of gulls, guillemots, fulmars, razorbills,Atlantic Puffins and Geese among others.All those species are protected and Lambay Island is classified as a bird sanctuary.In the interior since a long time ago were inserted many deer and also a determined number of wild wallabies.
On the road which links Portmanrock to the the other coastal town of Malahide you can admire a Martello Tower,a circular and strong tower with solid and thick walls built in the 19th century during the wars against France to defend the coasts by Napoleon attacks.
That building after a large restoration is today well preserved,it is a construction developed on two stories it is still shows its circular crenellated section on the top and thanks to its strategic position dominating the coast played an important role in the defencive coastal system when Ireland was part of Great Britain.
Another local highlight is Golf linked to the prestigious Golf Irish Open and other famous competitions.The municipality became since the 80s,exactly in 1984 a prestigious International destination for that trendy sport thanks to its splendid Golf Club.
In 1990 the famous German Golfer Bernhard Langer designed another one,a complex situated next to a comfortable Hotel developed using a majestic house which was a former property of the family Jameson owner of the most representative brand of Irish Whisky located in Dublin in Bow Street since 1780.Jameson family sold that building to the Local Tourism Board which in 1945 decided to use it as an accommodation.
The construction of that second Golf Course transformed Portmarnock in a Top destination to practise that sport.Apart several national and international trophies celebrated in addition they also offer many courses and lessons.The local prestige and that sport is highly highlighted by the famed edition of the Irish Open and others which took place in the past as the emblematic Walker Cup,events which elevated that place as a sort of icon in Ireland.
Many are the opportunities for who also loves cycling and you can enjoy a fantastic path leading to Malahide,very scenic and ending in that other special place characterised by its charming marina and boasting one of the most beautiful castles of the country in a magnificent green area surrounded by forests.
Local cuisine is very traditional,reflecting the typical Irish gastronomy.Fresh delicious salmon also great in the smoked style is highly appreciated just like the tastefully cod and haddock both boasting a great reputation for their supreme quality.
The famed Irish Fish & Chips is another notorious speciality present in the major part of the local gastronomical establishments.Delicious mackerel prepared in different styles is another highlight while mussels and oysters are other great choices if you love seafood.
About meat do not miss to try the Stobach,the classic Irish stew prepared with lamb meat combined with potatoes,onion,parsley and carrots ad with the variant replacing that mentioned kind of meat with mutton.The Drisheen,a local Black Pudding is another popular product,
A further very common plate is the typical Bacon and Cabbage and if you want to try something of very traditional you can taste the Dublin Coddle consisting in a combination of sausage,onion,bacon and potatoes flavoured by salt,garlic parsley and apple cider traditionally accompanied by a cool pint of Guinness beer.About desserts you can try excellent an Apple Cake and the famous Scones among others.
Regarding drinks you are in country with a great beer tradition,apart the previously mentioned iconic Guinness,very relevant are also Beamish and Murphy´s among many others.Other renowned beverages you can find are wide range of brands of Irish Whisky and of course do not miss to taste the famous Irish Coffee.
Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath Dublin Inteernational Airport is very close just 10,0 kilometres away and in approximately 15 minutes driving along R132 connected to Baskin Ln roads via Kinsealy you will be at destination.
Ireland is a wonderful country,everywhere you are,there are a multitude of beautiful places to enjoy,what you will appreciate in that splendid country is the atmosphere,kind people always ready to give you a warm welcome,a marvellous nature and ancient monuments in so many places.
A secular history and culture next to a wonderful green landscapes with attractive sites as Portmarnock with those magnificent views of Lambay Island from a stunning Irish coast is a more than recommended. to spend an enjoyable stay.
That place is certainly more than indicated for all who loves an active tourism combining,history,natural marvels,sea,countryside and Golf ,the sum of all that and much more makes that place a great destination to enjoy all year in a magic country called Ireland.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Accommodation in Portmarnock
Hotel Portmanrock & Golf Links
Hotel White Sands
www.portmarnock.com
www.portmarnockgolfhotel.com
www.whitesandshotel.ie
www.portmarnockwaves.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks a lot to read and note.