St Marnock is thought to have come to the area from Lambay Island in the 6th century. Portmarnock gets it name from the place where he landed - the 'port of Marnock'.
The church here is at least 800 years old.
There are a few points of interest. As you walk down the lane, look over the fence on you right as you pass the golf club gates. Approx 25m away is the site of a holy well. A description in its heyday speaks of a large circular pool with 16 stone steps leading down to it. A horde of penny groats (four-penny pieces) dating from the reign of Henry V, VI and Edward IV were found at the site. The well was destroyed by the local landowner in 1854. An ogham stone that stood beside it was broken into pieces and thrown into the fill of the well.
Inside the church chancel, on the ground and to the right of the infomation you require is a 17th century grave slab. Largely illegible, it reads:
IHS
Heere under lye
th the bodie of
Teresa Plvnket
who decesed th
e 20 of Avgust
anno dmi 1672
Also, There is a memorial stone that lies close to the northern wall of the chancel of the chapel behind the railing. It is extensively cracked. It reads 'This stone was erected by Oliver Barnewall of Dublin, Marchant. For himself and his wife Mary Galtrim and there children One who lies soules. Oure Lord God, Have Mercie Amen. Oliver Barnewall Mar Died the 3 of September 1690'.
THE CACHE
In the center of the eastern wall of the chancel there is a large stone block with the inscription:
PRAY FOR THE REPOSE OF THE
SOUL OF
CAROLINE JANE PLUNKETT
WHO DIED Ath OCT. BCDE
AGED FG YEARS
Substitute the highlighted letters above with the numbers on the actual inscription and insert them into this formula to get the final location:
N53 25.E(D-F)G W006 0A.(C-B)(D-E)E
