Site Information: General Information:
Survey Ref. No. FHG 7 Denomination Unknown
Date of Survey 12-Oct-08 Ownership Not determined
Graveyard Name St. Marnock's,
Location: Designations:
X Co-ordinate 324503 RMP Ref. No. DU015-00704
Y Co-ordinate 243496 RPS Ref. No. 478
Townland Name Burrow NIAH Ref. No. 11351005 (graveyard)
Parish Name Portmarnock Excavation N/A.
Address 1 Strand Road Historic Maps:
Address 2 Portmarnock OS 6" Sheet No. 015
Address 3 Rocque 1760
County Dublin OS Map 1st ed 1830s
Country Ireland OS Map 3rd ed c1906
Setting
The graveyard is located to the east of the R106 and to the west of Velvet Strand. While there are no longer
any upstanding features of early medieval date within the graveyard it is associated with a holy well and
possible ogham stone.
Historical Context
The Church of Portmarnock, was built in the medieval period on the site of an earlier church dedicated to St.
Marnock. St. Marnock was a disciple of St. Patrick and is reputed to have requested the site for the church from
him. The church was in use till the early 17th century and is marked on the Down Survey map. It is described
by the Civil Survey 1654-56 as ‘Chapell Walls', indicating that it had become a ruin by that time (Simington
1945, 175). Walsh suggests that it was rebuilt c. 1790 (Walsh 1888, 156, 213, 235).
The interior of the church also appears to have been used for burial. A memorial stone is situated near the
north wall of the chancel and reads ‘This stone was erected by Oliver Barnewall of Dublin Merchant. For himself
and his wife Mary Galtrim and there children One who lies soule. Oure Lord God, Have Mercie Amen. Oliver
Barnewall Mar Died the 3 of September 1690'.
There is no longer any visible trace of St. Marnock's holy well which was located in the sand dunes southwest of
the church. The pattern day at the well was held on August 18th (O'Danachair 1958, 78). Local tradition records
that the pattern day at the well was held till the turn of the century. Many people found enjoyment in playing
football, wrestling and various other games. It often occurred that men often took drink and caused fights with
the people of Donabate and Portrane (Schools Manuscript Collection vol. 789, p. 273-4).
An ogham stone was reportedly broken at the site of the well in 1854, however there is no visible trace of any
such stone.
Bibliographic References
Ó Danachair, C. 1958, Repertorium novum, 78 (no. 40); Simington, R. (ed.) 1931-61 Civil Survey AD 1654-56,
Dublin, p. 175; Walsh, R. 1888. Fingal and its Churches, p. 156, 213, 235; Irish Folklore Commission Schools
Manuscript Collection vol. 789, p. 273-4.
Archaeological and Architectural Features
The standing remains within the graveyard (DU015-00704) consist of the walls of a late medieval church
(DU015-00701). It is constructed of roughly coursed squared rubble limestone with dressed limestone quoins.
The gable walls stand almost to full height while the north and south walls survive to c. 1m. There is a squareheaded
opening in the west gable wall. The RMP record states there is a late 17th century plaque (DU015-
00705) to the interior of the church, but this was not accessible at the time of the survey.
General Condition
The condition of the graveyard is poor and it is not generally maintained. It is very overgrown with grass and
bushes. The church is covered in ivy and its interior is inaccessible due to tree growth. The graveyard would
appear to be still in use as a small number of modern burial plots are visible.
Grave Marker Types:
Box or chest tomb Mausoleum Undecorated stone marker
Cross slab Mural monument or tablet Vault
Free-standing cross Re-used architectural fragment Wrought or cast-iron marker
Grave slab or flat stone Sarcophagus Wrought or cast-iron railings
Headstone Table tomb Other
General Description
Sub-rectangular graveyard set in grounds of Portmarnock Golf Course with views over dunes towards coast. It is
bounded by a limestone wall with coping. There is a cast-iron entrance gate in the southwest corner.
The site consists of a heavily overgrown graveyard with undulating ground surface. The grave markers are
concentrated to the north, south and east of the church with more sporadic examples to the west. The grave
markers are predominantly 18th, 19th and 20th century in date and consist mainly of headstones and freestanding
crosses with some cast-iron crosses. Earlier examples may be hidden under undergrowth. To the north
of the church are two First War memorials "8462 Sergeant J Lynch Royal Irish Rifles, 3rd November 1918 aged
33" and "T4/263994 Driver C Lynch Royal Army Service Corps 16th November 1918 aged 37" of standard
military style. One of the latest plots is located to the west of the church and is inscribed "In loving memory of a
devoted mother Bridie Rogers died December 31st 2004, aged 97 years." To the south of the church there is a
slightly worn path running through the graveyard. There are a number of broken slabs along the path. One of
the earliest grave markers is located immediately to the north of the path under a large tree and dates to 1735.
To the east of the church is a mixture of 19th and 20th century headstones and crosses and one well executed
marble Celtic Revival cross. There are some simple cast-iron markers. Some of the plots have cast-iron railings.
The RMP record describes a late 17th century plaque within the church is dedicated as follows "This stone was
erected by Oliver Barnewall of Dublin Merchant. For himself and his wife Mary Galtrim and three children, one
who lies soule. Oure hard God, Have Mercie amen. Oliver Barnewall Mar Died the 3 of September 1690". This
was not accessible as the church is overgrown.
Photographic Reference Number FHG 7_AP, FHG 7_1 to FHG 7_28.
Conservation
Conservation Issues: The graveyard is heavily overgrown by trees, bushes and vegetation. Tree growth is
evident within the church, the exterior of which is covered in ivy. There are broken slabs along the path to the
south of the church and along the western boundary. There are many broken or leaning headstones within the
graveyard.
Conservation Recommendations: Cut-stone fragments to be identified and relocated. If it is necessary to clear
stone fragments, their position should be accurately recorded and they should be located in a designated area
of the graveyard.
Recommendations for Further Study: The growth on site should be clear and removed. Advice on flora and
fauna should be obtained before proceeding. All clearance should be undertaken by hand. Care should be
taken when removing tree roots etc.