Swords

Swords, 10 kilometers north of Dublin, is a town of 42,000 people where you can walk from a medieval castle to modern shopping centers in minutes. You'll find the 13th-century Swords Castle with its pentagonal courtyard, a 75-foot Round Tower from the 9th century, and the Ward River Valley Park with its riverside walking paths. The town's Main Street connects these historic buildings to the modern Pavilions Centre, while Dublin Airport is just 5 kilometers away.

Getting to and Around Swords

Dublin Airport is 5 kilometers south of Swords center. Take Dublin Bus 41, which runs every 20 minutes from the airport's Zone 13, or grab a taxi for about €10. You can walk between main sites within 20 minutes, as the town center spans roughly 2.5 kilometers. Find taxi stands at County Hall, Chapel Lane, and the Pavilions Shopping Centre.

Shopping and Entertainment

The Pavilions Shopping Centre has over 90 stores including Dunnes Stores, TK Maxx, Zara, and H&M. Walk down Main Street to find independent shops and traditional Irish pubs. Most pubs serve lunch and dinner, with live music on weekends in several venues.

Parks and Walking Routes

Walk through the 89-hectare Ward River Valley Park on paved paths along the river. Locals call it the 'Jacko', and you'll find exercise stations, a playground, and a fenced dog park. Swords Town Park sits next to the castle, with tennis courts and a children's playground alongside the Ward River.

Medieval Buildings

Enter Swords Castle (€5 admission, open daily 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM) to explore its pentagonal courtyard and curtain walls. The Archbishop of Dublin used this as his residence in the 13th century. Visit St. Columba's Church, built in 1811, to see its 75-foot Round Tower from the 9th century. Look for the 14th-century Clock Tower in the church grounds, which opens to visitors on selected days during summer.

Annual Events

Join the St. Patrick's Day parade at noon on March 17, which moves through Dublin Road and Main Street. Watch Irish dancing performances and participate in castle activities afterward. Visit Newbridge House during the last weekend of June for the Flavours of Fingal show, where you can see livestock exhibitions, browse food markets, and join family activities.