Portmarnock (Port Mearnóg in Irish) is a town in North County Dublin, Ireland. It lies on the coast and, owing to its proximity to Dublin city, is a dormitory town 15 km north-northeast of the city centre. The town is situated along the Northern commuter railway line out of Dublin. See rail transport in Ireland.

The town's name derives from the Irish word port – meaning bank (e.g. of a river) – and Saint Marnoch or Mernoc, also remembered in the name of Kilmarnock in Scotland.

Portmarnock Beach is now becoming very popular with wind surfers and kite surfers. Like many of Dublin's coastal towns it is home to a Napoleonic Martello tower. Portmarnock is famous for its world class golf course.

The first westbound transatlantic solo flight began from Portmarnock beach. The beach is known as the velvet strand due to its long flat surface. On 18 August 1932 Jim Mollison, a British pilot, took a de Havilland Puss Moth from Portmarnock to Pennfield, New Brunswick, in Canada.

See also

• List of towns in the Republic of Ireland

External link

• Portmarnock railway station