Portmarnock is a seaside town situated just outside Dublin city with a population of about 8000. Surrounded by the sea and the green belts the town has a very good community spirit. The town has two hotels and two championship golf 'links'. Portmarnock Golf club hosted several Irish opens and the 1991 Walker Cup, The 4 kilometer long beach was used as a runway for historic flights across the Atlantic in the 30s. photos on the National Library of Ireland website here. Nowadays it is used for walking, swimming, kite surfing, football training, beach volleyball, horseriding etc. Several 'Martello towers' were constructed in the area to defend against a Napoleonic invasion which never happened. Portmarnock can be reached from Dublin city on public transport. The rail service is quick an efficent but the station is very long walk from the beach. The bus service is much slower but drops you right at the beach and hotels. There is a service (102) from the airport also and takes about 45 minutes. Portmarnock is about 10 miles from the centre of Dublin. More information about Portmarnock  here:  Portmarnock on Wikipedia