Most people you’ll meet share their dream of living their best lives beside the seaside. Coastal life is a different, unique experience where life moves at a different pace, and everything revolves around the sea’s ebb and flow.
Now that you’re lucky enough to live water-side in the beautiful Portmarnock, it’s time to take full advantage and dive right into everything that it has to offer. Ready to get started?
- Park yourself at Portmarnock Beach
Nicki Minaj penned it best when she said, ‘Let’s go to the beach, beach, let’s go get away’, and there’s nowhere quite like the shores of Portmarnock Beach.
Not just a free resource, Portmarnock Beach is famous for good reason. Walk the shores, dig your feet into the sand, take in the waves, go for an anti-inflammatory cold-water dip, and if the sun is out, while away a few hours with a book and an array of snacks while being one with nature. Life’s a beach, so make the most of it!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/indie_the_cavapoochon/
If all that delicious sea air has made you hungry, thirsty, and in need of a refuel, stop right there because you’re right beside a delicious pitstop!
Beach Brew Portmarnock is placed perfectly at the entrance to the beach (North Lodge), is open seasonally, and offers delicious coffee, cakes and toasties to fuel your walks, swims or ‘sit and stare at the sunset’ sessions.
We recommend their flaky croissants and warm brownie with ice cream- try it, then tell everyone else!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/beachbrewireland/
- Explore a piece of history at Portmarnock’s Martello Tower
You’ve likely already seen the Martello Tower quite literally towering over Portmarnock, but have you ever wondered what it is or why it’s there?
Circular buildings of odd curiosity, the Martello Tower was initially built as a defensive outpost to prevent invasion of the British Empire during the 19th century. Portmarnock’s Tower is one of approximately 50 total towers erected in Ireland, of which about 21 still remain around Dublin Bay.
Today, their uses across Dublin are a lot less ominous but equally interesting, with none other than James Joyce himself having stayed at the Martello tower at Sandycoveprior to writing Ulysses. It has since been converted into a museum dedicated to the writer. Bono owned and lived in a tower in Bray, County Wicklow. Martello Tower North Number 2, one of Howth village’s Martello towers overlooking the harbour, has been made into a vintage radio museum.
As for Portmarnocks infamous outpost? Well, it’s the perfect spot for a gentle hike, some sightseeing, and lots of Insta opportunities, of course!
Credit: Sabrina Letieri/Google
You’re beside the seaside, so it’d be criminal not to sample some of the coast’s best, freshest offerings by way of some fish and chips.
In local business since 1962, the McHugh family of Portmarnock opened their restaurant in 2016 and, since then, have been building a reputation as one of the best in the area for delicious food, fresh ingredients and a warm welcome.
All of their ingredients are carefully sourced from the best farmers, butchers, fish mongers and suppliers, and it really shines through in the taste and care that goes onto every single plate.
We recommend the calamari (with lashings of lemon), the Portmarnock Blue burger and, of course, their legendary fish and chunky chips dipped in a tangy tartar sauce- and in this case, sharing is not caring, so order plenty and fill your boots!
Credit: https://www.instagram.com/mchughsofportmarnock/
So there you have it, a delicious, adventurous and leisurely guide to all things Portmarnock. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out there!