Velvet Strand, Portmarnoch Beach information

What's in a name?

Portmarnock is named after Saint Marnock, a prominent missionary who founded a church in the area.

 

The Velvet Strand and Aviation History

The harbour at Balbriggan was built by the Hamilton family, local landlords, between 1761 and 1765 and facilitated the growth of the commercial port at their estate village. The piers are made from limestone. The lighthouse was erected by the same family in 1769 and provided a sea light for vessels navigating off the east coast. The Lighthouse is unique in having a clergyman, Rev George Hamilton, as its first light keeper. A cast iron walkway surrounds the lantern.

It was from the Velvet Strand, on 24th of June 1930 that the famous Australian Aircraft, Southern Cross, departed on a pioneering Atlantic flight to Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, where it landed safely some 31.5 hours later. The plane was piloted by the legendary Charles Kingsford Smith and navigated by Dubliner, Captain J.P. Saul, accompanied by crew members John Stannage and Evert Van Dyk.

It was also from this beach, on 18th of August 1932 that James Mollison made the first solo East-West flight across the Atlantic in the De Havilland Puss Moth aircraft 'Heart's Content'.

The sculpture 'Eccentric Orbit' commemorates the Southern Cross flight and can be seen in the grass area at the North of the strand. This piece, by Remco De Fouw (2002), consists of a Limestone sphere showing a map of the world. The bronze needle at the top of the sphere points directly at the North Star, a point that has been used for navigating for thousands of years.

 

The Sand Dunes

The sand dunes on Portmarnock beach are an important natural feature. Sand dunes are a sensitive habitat and depend on marram grass to stop the wind from blowing the sand away. The root system of the marram grass acts as a protective cover for the dunes. The dunes can be eroded by the action of wind, tides and excessive trampling. You can help to prevent erosion of the dunes by walking and playing on the strand rather than the dunes.

Parts of the dune system is fenced off at times which restricts access. Unfortunately this is necessary to protect the dunes by planting marram grass and allowing it to become established without interference. Visitors are asked to be aware of the progress of tides in the vicinity of fenced off areas.

 

Where to from here?

• Malahide Village and train station are about 2 .5 miles away (a 60-80 minutes walk).

• Portmarnock train station is about 1.5 miles away (a 30-45 minute walk).

 

DISCLAIMER

OCCUPIERS LIABILITY ACT, 1995

TAKE NOTE that Fingal County Council maintains the pedestrian paths and as the occupier of these lands, in accordance with Section 5(2) of the Occupiers Liability Act, 1995, HEREBY EXCLUDES the duty of care which it owes to visitors under Section 3 of the said act, in respect of injury or damage caused to visitors and their property by reason of any danger existing on the paths and lands.

 

SAFETY NOTICE

Cliff Paths are high and steep in some places and are not suitable for small children or people whose mobility is impaired. 

Please note swimming hazard on map.

Cliff paths should not be used during high winds or bad weather conditions.

Walkers should exercise caution at all times.

 

BEACH CODE

Please use bins where provided or take your litter home with you.

Drinking alcohol on this beach is prohibited under the Prohibition of Consumption of Intoxicating Liquor on roads and in public places Bye Laws 2002 made under the local government Act 1994

Cars are parked at owners risk.

Dog Owners are responsible for cleaning up dog faeces under Section 22 of the Litter Pollution Act 1997.

From May to September inclusive, no horses are permitted on the beach between 10am and 8pm. From October to April inclusive, no horses are permitted on the beach on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays between 10am and 8pm.

A Person in charge of a horse/pony on a beach shall remove its faeces and deposit it in a litter bin or other receptacle which may be designated for this purpose in accordance with Beach Bye Laws 1999.

 

LIFEGUARD

Red over yellow means there is a lifeguard on duty. 

No flag means there is no lifeguard on duty and it is unsafe to swim.

A red flag means it is unsafe to swim at all times.

 

To contact Fingal County Council phone: 

01 8905000 (during office hours)

For Emergency services Phone: 112

 

LIFEGUARD TIMES

Month of June weekends only 

(11.00am to 8.00pm)

 

July & August Fulltime 

(11.00am to 8.00pm)