A coastal retreat north of Dublin, Portmarnock makes for a quiet country escape from the Irish capital. A relaxing day on the beach or a few hours on the links are the most activity tourists will find here. But its visitors likely wouldn’t have it any other way.

Portmarnock is perhaps best known for its world-class golf course, opened in 1894. That historic course is accompanied by a newer one, designed around the Jameson distilling family’s former home by Bernhard Langer and opened in the 1990s. South of town, the Portmarnock Golf Club hosts a number of top events, and there are plenty of other active pursuits in the area. As a coastal town, Portmarnock also has a beach, often called “The Velvet Strand” for its smooth sands. A lifeguard monitors it from early April to October, and wind and kite surfers are hardly an uncommon sight.

Portmarnock is accessible via Dublin’s northern commuter rail or the Dublin-Belfast line. The city has also been added to the DART network and is served by a number of bus routes.

Settled since Neolithic times, Portmarnock earned its current name as early as the 5th century when Saint Marnoch or Mernoc arrived in the town’s port. Past famous residents have included broadcaster Eamonn Andrews in the 1970s and 80s, and singer Brian McFadden until 2004.