Burrow Beach, Portrane (The Brook)
Portrane is a small seaside village in North County Dublin. The name Portrane comes from Portrachrainn, or the port of the Rechru. Rechru was the pre Norse name for Lambay Island, meaning Lamb Island, so called by the Danes because of the sheep grazing there (Peadar Bates, Donabate and Portrane - a History.)
Burrow Beach is a long, sandy beach that extends from the village of Portrane northward into Rogerstown Estuary. The area supports a diverse range of native species and is known for certain birds and plants in particular. The beach is a popular amenity with residents and visitors, many of whom choose to stay in the caravan parks and beach houses located close to the beach during the summer months. Part of the beach is backed by a large grasssy patch, which is perfect for lying back and relaxing in the sun!
Toilet facilities are provided for at the beach with access for the disabled. The village is served by the No. 33B bus service from Dublin City Centre and the bus stop is only a 2-minute walk from the beach!
Locate Portrane Beach on MapBlue Flag Beach
The Brook Beach has been awarded with a Blue Flag for the 2008 bathing season. The Blue Flag is a well-recognised eco-label, awarded to beaches and marinas with excellent environmental management. The International Blue Flag Campaign is owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and operated in Ireland by An Taisce. This beach also achieved Blue Flag status in 2007. To gain a Blue Flag, beaches have to meet 29 criteria covering Environmental Education and Information, Water Quality, Environmental Management and Safety and Services. Further information on Blue Flags is available from the An Taisce website.
Bathing Water Quality
The Burrow Beach in Portrane is one of the designated beaches under the Quality of Bathing Waters Regulations, 1992. Regular monitoring is carried out on the beach during the summer months as required by the Regulations.
You can download below the charts to view the Bathing Water Quality for The Brook Beach.
Lifeguard Information
All potential visitors to the beach are reminded of the dangers that exist along our coastline during the bathing season. Lifeguard cover will be provided on weekends only for June and July on the Brook beach. Daily cover will be provided from Monday to Sunday during August (11.00 am to 7.00pm).
The presence of lifeguards on duty is indicated by the flying of the red/yellow flag.
The Beach Management Plan
In Summer/Autumn 2006, Fingal County Council, with support from the Heritage Council, commissioned a consultative process with the objective of producing a beach management plan for the Burrow. The plan was published in January 2007. The objective of the beach plan is to allow Fingal County Council to work in partnership with the community to preserve the character of the area while allowing for recreational use and enjoyment by present and future generations. It is intended to be an action plan based on partnership, setting out a range of practical and achievable actions in the short, medium and long-term to tackle issues such as: water quality, management of sand dunes, nature conservation, beach cleanliness and health, safety and welfare for residents and visitors.
Rogerstown Estuary and the Burrow Beach
Rogerstown Estuary, of which the Burrow peninsula in Portrane is a part, is a proposed Natural Heritage Area. It is also a designated Special Protection Area (SPA). The Burrow Beach contains a sand-dune system developed on a glacial ridge running north west along the outer boundary of Rogerstown Estuary. An extensive beach fronts the dune system, which is itself located between rocky headlands at the northern and southern ends of the beach.
The Ballyboghil and Ballough rivers flow into the sea at Rogerstown Estuary. At low tide the estuary drains, exposing the mud and sand flats, fringed by areas of saltmarsh. Cord grass and Green algae grow in the muddy areas at the northern tip of the Burrow Beach. Tassel weed also grows here and is grazed by the Brent geese and Wigeon. Lugworm and mussels in the outer estuary add to the food sources that attract birds, particularly during winter months. The estuary is an important link in the chain of estuaries on the Irish East Coast and it supports an internationally important population of Brent geese. Other species of national importance include the Greylag Goose, Shelduck, Shoveler, Ringed and Grey Plover and Knot and Black-Tailed Godwit. The estuary is a regular staging post for scarce migrants especially in autumn when Green Sandpiper, Ruff, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank are in evidence.
The Burrow peninsula is made up of a series of sand dune ridges. Rogerstown Estuary lies to the west of the peninsula, while sand and gravel ridges form the spine of the Burrow. Towards the northern end plants such as Prickly Saltwort and Sea Sandwort provide an anchor for the sand. However, the dunes to the rear of the sandy Burrow Beach have been adversely affected by visitor traffic and erosion. Unfortunately some of the nesting sites for birds have also been disturbed. It is therefore important that people are aware of the potential disturbance that can be caused by visitor traffic and dogs, particularly during the breeding season.
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