Portmarnock in County Fingal, Leinster, Ireland — Mid-East (and Dublin)
The Velvet Strand / An Trá Chaoin
Portmarnock / Port Mearnóg
What's in a name?
Portmarnock is names after St Marnock, a prominent missionary who founded a church in the area.
The Velvet Strand and Aviation History
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. The sculpture Eccentric Orbit, which 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.
It was also from this beach, on the 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 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 on the dunes.
Part of the dune system is fenced-off at times, which restricts access. This is necessary to protect the dunes by allowing the marram grass to become established without interference. Visitors are asked to be aware of the progress of tides in the vicinity of the fenced off areas.
Erected by Fingal County Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space. A significant historical date for this entry is June 24, 1930.
Location. 53° 25.939′ N, 6° 7.465′ W. Marker is in Portmarnock, Leinster, in County Fingal. Marker is on Strand Road (Road 106) 0.3 kilometers south of Wendell Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Marker is near Lali's Italian Ristorante. Touch for map. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Southern Cross Monument (a few steps from this marker); Malahide / Mullach Íde (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); The Ready Boat Pillar (approx. 5.9 kilometers away); Howth The Village / Binn Éadair ______ (approx. 6 kilometers away); Lost At Sea (approx. 6.1 kilometers away); The Lord Killanin (approx. 6.3 kilometers away); Howth Abbey, St. Marys / "Mainistir" Bhinn Éadair (approx. 6.3 kilometers away); St Mary's Church / Eaglais Mhuire (approx. 6.3 kilometers away).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 20, 2009, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,583 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on May 19, 2015. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 23, 2009. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.