:Swords, Dublin

File:Map of Swords.png

The town's origins date back to 560 AD when it was reputedly founded by Saint Colmcille (521–567).{{Citation |last= Sidwell|first=Keith|title= Reading Medieval Latin|page=70|year= 1995|location=Cambridge|publisher= Cambridge University Press|isbn=0-521-44747-X}} Legend has it that the saint blessed a local well, giving the settlement its name, Sord, meaning "clear" or "pure".{{Cite web|url=https://dil.ie/50473|title=? sord|website=eDIL - Irish Language Dictionary|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727155957/https://dil.ie/50473|url-status=live}} However, An Sord also means "the water source" and could indicate a large communal drinking well that existed in antiquity.{{cite web|url=http://swordsdublin.net/_dublin_history.html|title=History Of Swords Dublin|website=swordsdublin.net|access-date=28 May 2012|archive-date=24 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424144303/http://www.swordsdublin.net/_dublin_history.html|url-status=live}} St. Colmcille's Well is located on Well Road off Main Street. Sord may also refer to a "sward", an "expanse of grass".{{cite book|last=Hickey |first=Raymond |date=2005 |title=Dublin English: evolution and change}} The most common landscape indicators of early Christian settlement are the ecclesiastical enclosures, and in the case of Swords, the street pattern has been influenced by the circular alignment of the settlement.

The medieval town developed in a linear pattern along Main Street, in a roughly north–south direction. The round tower, 26m in height, is also an indicator of early Christian settlement. The Irish high king Brian Boru is said to have had his Requiem Mass offered at the church on Spittal Hill after he was killed at the Battle of Clontarf; this was of course before the hospital and even the Church of Ireland when there would have been a small chapel there along with the round tower.

In medieval times, the manor of Swords was English Crown property, and by tradition was granted to each Archbishop of Dublin for his lifetime.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}

The parliamentary borough of Swords elected two MPs to the Irish House of Commons. It was disenfranchised in 1801 by the Acts of Union 1800.{{cite web |title=Swords |url=https://www.ancestryireland.com/history-of-the-irish-parliament/constituencies/swords/ |publisher=Ulster Historical Foundation |work=History of the Irish Parliament |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530163156/https://www.ancestryireland.com/history-of-the-irish-parliament/constituencies/swords/ |url-status=live }}

At the northern end of the street stands Swords Castle, 200m northeast of the ecclesiastical site, which was built in the early 13th century. A short distance north of the castle is the elevation known as Spittal Hill, where a hospital once stood.{{cite web|url=http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/2.4.3%20Barrysparks%20SEA%20Enviromental%20Report.pdf |title=Barrysparks Local Area Plan – Environmental Report |website=Fingal County Council |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131063318/http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/2.4.3%20Barrysparks%20SEA%20Enviromental%20Report.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2014 }}

In 1994, Swords became the county town of the new county of Fingal after the abolition of County Dublin as an administrative county. In 2001, upon the completion of the County Hall, senior executive offices moved there from Parnell Square in Dublin city centre.

In June 2006, the RNLI Ireland officially opened a new all-Ireland headquarters at Airside Business Park, within greater Swords.{{cite news|title=Irish lifeboat HQ in Swords is opened by the President|url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/irish-lifeboat-hq-in-swords-is-opened-by-the-president-27766279.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=14 June 2006|access-date=4 April 2016}} The National Museum of Ireland operates its Collections Resource Centre (CRC) at a former Motorola factory site on the northern edge of the town. The size of two football fields, the CRC includes storage, archive, library and research facilities serving all branches of the museum.{{cite web |title=National Museum of Ireland - Collections Resource Centre |url=https://irishmuseums.org/events/national-museum-of-ireland-collections-resource-centre |website=Irish Museums Association |access-date=5 February 2022 |archive-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205175548/https://irishmuseums.org/events/national-museum-of-ireland-collections-resource-centre |url-status=live }}

Fingal County Council's "Strategic Vision" for Swords declared an aim of forming a sustainable "new city"; the council has referred to Swords as an "emerging city" and has projected that the population of Swords would rise towards 100,000 by the year 2035.{{cite web|url = http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/2.4.3.A.9.1%20Yours%20Swords%20Document.pdf | title = Your Swords, an Emerging City, Strategic Vision 2035 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131064426/http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/2.4.3.A.9.1%20Yours%20Swords%20Document.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2014 | publisher = Fingal County Council}} As of 2023, the town is the eighth-largest urban area in the country.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The Swords Cultural Quarter Masterplan by the county council proposed to redevelop the area surrounding the castle into the Swords Cultural Quarter, and to build a new Cultural Centre within this area.{{cite web|url=https://www.fingal.ie/swords-cultural-quarter-masterplan|title=Swords Cultural Quarter Masterplan|website=Fingal County Council|access-date=28 April 2020|archive-date=14 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514002130/https://www.fingal.ie/swords-cultural-quarter-masterplan|url-status=live}} Enabling work on the Cultural Centre began in April 2023, during which two medieval wells were discovered under the existing car park. The wells were removed by archaeologists and preserved for potential display at a later date.{{cite web|url = https://www.fingal.ie/news/medieval-wells-swords-cultural-centre-site | website = fingal.ie | title = Medieval Wells at Swords Cultural Centre site | date = 15 September 2023 }} Construction of the building began in February 2025 and, at that time, was expected to complete in early 2027.{{Cite web |last=Reporter |first=Gazette |date=2024-10-27 |title=Foundation stone for new Cultural Centre |url=https://dublingazette.com/dublinlocalmatters/news/swords-fingal-housing-55533/ |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=Dublin Gazette Newspapers - Dublin News, Sport and Lifestyle |language=en-ie}} The development is due to include a new library, art gallery, 165-seat theatre and café. If implemented as planned, the masterplan would also change the layout of the roads surrounding the castle.

File:Highfields2.jpg housing estate on the southern side of Swords]]

In 2012, Swords was named the third-best town in Ireland to live in. The survey conducted by Retail Excellence Ireland took into account safety, retail, dining, entertainment, events, car parking and the overall attractiveness of the town.{{cite web|url=http://www.retailexcellence.ie/images/uploads/downloads/Sunday_Independent_Supplement_-_Best100_Towns__Cities.pdf|title=Retail Excellence Ireland Survey 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025222056/http://www.retailexcellence.ie//images//uploads//downloads//Sunday_Independent_Supplement_-_Best100_Towns__Cities.pdf|archive-date=25 October 2012|df=dmy-all}} Swords has seen steady regeneration of shop fronts,{{Cite web|last=County Council|first=Fingal|date=2015|title=SWORDS CASTLE CULTURAL QUARTER|url=https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2020-02/re-swords-masterplan_draft_a_rev17-_13042015.pdf|access-date=1 January 2022|website=Fingal.ie|archive-date=23 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220223054007/https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2020-02/re-swords-masterplan_draft_a_rev17-_13042015.pdf|url-status=live}} public buildings, and footpaths and the restoration of Swords Castle since the mid-1990s. Households in Swords have the seventh-highest median incomes in the state, among distinct towns (a comparison excluding most other suburbs of the city).{{Cite news|last=Gleeson|first=Colin|title=Households in Malahide enjoy highest incomes in State|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/households-in-malahide-enjoy-highest-incomes-in-state-1.3932426|access-date=2021-10-22|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023004417/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/households-in-malahide-enjoy-highest-incomes-in-state-1.3932426|url-status=live}}

A 2011 Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) survey declared Swords to be the second cleanest town in Ireland.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibal.ie/press_releases/2012/PressRelease(1).pdf|title=Irish Business Against Litter Survey 2011|access-date=10 January 2012|archive-date=15 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115235423/http://www.ibal.ie/press_releases/2012/PressRelease(1).pdf|url-status=live}} This came just eight years after an IBAL survey had scored the town as the worst "litter blackspot" in the country.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ibal.ie/press_releases/2003/pressrelease2003(2).pdf|title=Irish Business Against Litter Survey 2003|access-date=10 September 2012|archive-date=10 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010230341/http://www.ibal.ie/press_releases/2003/pressrelease2003(2).pdf|url-status=live}} In the 2019 survey, An Taisce, who carry out the surveys on behalf of IBAL, stated: "A stellar showing for this large urban area. Swords is a model for others to follow."{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/mayor-congratulates-swords-on-ibal-results-38857584.html|title=Mayor congratulates Swords on IBAL results|website=independent|date=18 January 2020|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727160209/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/mayor-congratulates-swords-on-ibal-results-38857584.html|url-status=live}}

File:Swords in Dublin K67.jpg trees, August 2022]]

Swords is situated roughly in the centre of the modern county of Fingal and the ancient barony of Nethercross. The Ward River, coming from County Meath, runs west to east to near the centre of the town, and then turns to run north, before flowing into the Broad Meadow Water or Broadmeadow River to the east of the town, across the former northern road. A small stream joins the Ward near the town centre and the holy well. The Broadmeadow, also flowing from Meath, borders the north of the town. It runs from Dunshaughlin in the west and across the north of Swords, before receiving the Ward and flowing into the wide Broadmeadow Estuary, then into the Irish Sea past Malahide. The estuary is crossed by a railway embankment and bridge from Malahide.{{cite book |last1=Doyle |first1=Joseph W. |title=Ten Dozen Waters: The Rivers and Streams of County Dublin |date=1 December 2013 |publisher=Rath Eanna Research |location=Dublin, Ireland |isbn=978-0-9566363-8-6 |pages=8–10 |edition=8th}} Swords is surrounded by a protected green belt. Dublin Airport has prevented the town from expanding further south and the large Broadmeadow Estuary and Malahide beyond limit expansion further east. To the north and west of Swords, there is sparsely-populated, relatively flat, farmland.

The civil parish of Swords mainly lies in the ancient barony of Nethercross.{{cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/62|title=An Chrois Íochtarach/Nethercross|website=Logainm.ie|access-date=29 November 2023|archive-date=10 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610143402/http://www.logainm.ie/en/62|url-status=live}} Swords Demesne is the name of the townland in the heart of the urban town of Swords.{{cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/17054.aspx|title=Diméin Shoird/Swords Demesne|website=Logainm.ie|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129124020/https://www.logainm.ie/ga/17054|url-status=live}} It is one of 58 such geographic units in the civil parish. However, a single parcel of land, 5 acres in extent, is situated in the barony of Coolock{{cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/16962.aspx|title=An Ghléib/Glebe|website=Logainm.ie|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=29 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129123934/https://www.logainm.ie/ga/16962|url-status=live}} as an exclave of the civil parish proper.

There are 10 townlands in the electoral division of Swords, which is not coterminous with the civil parish.

File:Modern architecture, North Street, Swords.jpg on North Street|left]]

File:St. Columcille's Court, Swords.jpg

The main retail area is located in the centre of the town and includes the town's wide, tree-lined Main Street, and the Pavilions and Swords Central combined shopping centres. There are also two smaller retail developments, Swords Plaza and Swords Town Mall. Most civic facilities are also in this central area, with some subsidiary shopping and civic centres in surrounding housing areas.

The west of the urban area is mainly residential, with the neighbourhoods of Applewood, Rathbeale and Brackenstown to the north of the Ward River and Knocksedan, River Valley, Rathingle, Highfields, and Boroimhe to the south side of the river.

The main business and industrial areas are located to the east of the town centre, along the R132 dual carriageway. These include Balheary Industrial Park, Swords Business Campus, Swords Business Park, and the Airside campus (Business Park, Retail Park and Motor Park). These campuses separate the town centre from the residential neighbourhoods further east — Seatown, Lissenhall, Holywell and Drynam (or Drinan) — for which reason the Central Statistics Office treats the latter areas as forming a separate census town, which since 1991 it has dubbed Kinsealy–Drinan{{cite book |title=Census of Ireland 1991 |chapter-url=https://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/census1991results/volume1/C1991_V1_T11.pdf#page=4 |volume=1 |page=43 |chapter=Table 11: Population of Towns ordered by size |date=June 1993 |publisher=CSO |access-date=10 July 2023 |archive-date=10 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230710162651/https://www.cso.ie/en/media/csoie/census/census1991results/volume1/C1991_V1_T11.pdf#page=4 |url-status=live }} and had a population of 7,526 at the 2022 census.{{cite web | url = https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=6ca2f1a4-ad9b-4507-bc97-01044db6329a | title = Interactive Data Visualisations: Towns: Kinsealy-Drinan | work = Census 2022 | publisher = Central Statistics Office | access-date = 26 September 2023 | archive-date = 26 September 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230926114241/https://visual.cso.ie/?body=entity/ima/cop/2022&boundary=C04160V04929&guid=6ca2f1a4-ad9b-4507-bc97-01044db6329a | url-status = live }} The development plan for Fingal County Council treats Kinsealy–Drinan as part of Swords.{{cite web |title=Fingal Development Plan 2023–2029 : Chief Executive's Report on Draft Plan Public Consultation |url=https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2022-08/CE%20Report%20on%20Draft%20Plan%20Public%20Consultations%20July%202022.pdf |publisher=Fingal County Council |access-date=10 July 2023 |pages=32, 551 |date=28 July 2022 |archive-date=2 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702160847/https://www.fingal.ie/sites/default/files/2022-08/CE%20Report%20on%20Draft%20Plan%20Public%20Consultations%20July%202022.pdf |url-status=live }}

The climate of Swords is, like the rest of Ireland, classified as a maritime temperate climate (Cfb) according to the Köppen climate classification system. It is mild and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. The hottest months of the year are June, July and August with temperatures of around 17 – 20 degrees. Swords gets rainfall all year round and the wettest months are October to January.

{{Clear}}

{{Weather box

| location = Swords (Dublin Airport) (1981–2010 averages)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 16.5

| Feb record high C = 16.2

| Mar record high C = 17.2

| Apr record high C = 20.5

| May record high C = 23.5

| Jun record high C = 25.7

| Jul record high C = 27.6

| Aug record high C = 28.7

| Sep record high C = 24.6

| Oct record high C = 21.0

| Nov record high C = 18.0

| Dec record high C = 16.2

| year record high C = 28.7

| Jan high C = 8.1

| Feb high C = 8.3

| Mar high C = 10.2

| Apr high C = 12.1

| May high C = 14.8

| Jun high C = 17.6

| Jul high C = 19.5

| Aug high C = 19.2

| Sep high C = 17.0

| Oct high C = 13.6

| Nov high C = 10.3

| Dec high C = 8.3

| year high C = 13.3

| Jan mean C = 5.3

| Feb mean C = 5.3

| Mar mean C = 6.8

| Apr mean C = 8.3

| May mean C = 10.9

| Jun mean C = 13.6

| Jul mean C = 15.6

| Aug mean C = 15.3

| Sep mean C = 13.4

| Oct mean C = 10.5

| Nov mean C = 7.4

| Dec mean C = 5.6

| year mean C = 9.8

| Jan low C = 2.4

| Feb low C = 2.3

| Mar low C = 3.4

| Apr low C = 4.6

| May low C = 6.9

| Jun low C = 9.6

| Jul low C = 11.7

| Aug low C = 11.5

| Sep low C = 9.8

| Oct low C = 7.3

| Nov low C = 4.5

| Dec low C = 2.8

| year low C = 6.4

| Jan record low C = -9.5

| Feb record low C = -6.7

| Mar record low C = -7.9

| Apr record low C = -4.0

| May record low C = -1.6

| Jun record low C = 2.1

| Jul record low C = 4.6

| Aug record low C = 2.4

| Sep record low C = 1.2

| Oct record low C = -3.3

| Nov record low C = -8.4

| Dec record low C = -12.2

| year record low C = -12.2

| Jan chill =

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| Jan rain mm = 62.6

| Feb rain mm = 48.8

| Mar rain mm = 52.7

| Apr rain mm = 54.1

| May rain mm = 59.5

| Jun rain mm = 66.7

| Jul rain mm = 56.2

| Aug rain mm = 73.3

| Sep rain mm = 59.5

| Oct rain mm = 79.0

| Nov rain mm = 72.9

| Dec rain mm = 72.7

| year rain mm = 758.0

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| Jan humidity = 80.6

| Feb humidity = 75.7

| Mar humidity = 71.0

| Apr humidity = 68.3

| May humidity = 68.0

| Jun humidity = 68.3

| Jul humidity = 69.0

| Aug humidity = 69.3

| Sep humidity = 71.5

| Oct humidity = 75.1

| Nov humidity = 80.3

| Dec humidity = 83.1

| year humidity = 73.3

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| Jan rain days = 17

| Feb rain days = 15

| Mar rain days = 17

| Apr rain days = 15

| May rain days = 15

| Jun rain days = 14

| Jul rain days = 16

| Aug rain days = 16

| Sep rain days = 15

| Oct rain days = 17

| Nov rain days = 17

| Dec rain days = 17

| year rain days = 191

| Jan snow days = 4.6

| Feb snow days = 4.2

| Mar snow days = 2.8

| Apr snow days = 1.2

| May snow days = 0.2

| Jun snow days = 0.0

| Jul snow days = 0.0

| Aug snow days = 0.0

| Sep snow days = 0.0

| Oct snow days = 0.0

| Nov snow days = 0.8

| Dec snow days = 2.9

| year snow days = 16.6

| Jand sun = 1.9

| Febd sun = 2.7

| Mard sun = 3.5

| Aprd sun = 5.3

| Mayd sun = 6.2

| Jund sun = 5.8

| Juld sun = 5.3

| Augd sun = 5.1

| Sepd sun = 4.3

| Octd sun = 3.3

| Novd sun = 2.4

| Decd sun = 1.7

| yeard sun = 3.9

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| source 1 = Met Éireann{{cite web|url=http://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/dublin.html|title=Dublin 1981–2010 averages|website=Met Éireann|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107002648/https://www.met.ie/climate-ireland/1981-2010/dublin.html%0A|url-status=live}}

| date = July 2012

}}

{{Historical populations|title=Swords|state=collapsed

|1821|1727

|1831|2537

|1841|1788

|1851|1294

|1861|1296

|1871|1008

|1881|1088

|1891|983

|1901|944

|1911|907

|1926|839

|1936|838

|1946|703

|1951|1136

|1956|1629

|1961|1816

|1966|1892

|1971|4133

|1981|11138

|1986|15312

|1991|17705

|1996|22314

|2002|27175

|2006|33998

|2011|36924

|2016|39248

|2022|40776

}}

Swords has developed into the eighth largest urban area in Ireland, with a population of 40,776 at the 2022 census.{{cite web |title=Census 2022 - F1015 Population |work=Central Statistics Office Census 2022 Reports |publisher=Central Statistics Office Ireland |date=August 2023 |url=https://data.cso.ie/table/F1015 |access-date=16 September 2023 |archive-date=18 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918224126/https://data.cso.ie/ |url-status=live }} The town's period of rapid population growth began in the 1970s with the construction of the extensive Rivervalley Estate, then Ireland's largest private housing development, ahead of the Kilnamanagh Estate in Tallaght North. It continued during the 1990s and 2000s, with many new residents moving to the area due to its proximity to work at Dublin Airport and various industrial estates / business parks.

Fingal County Council has referred to Swords as an "Emerging City", and has suggested that the overall area's population may reach 100,000 by 2035.

{{See also|Transport in Dublin}}

File:MonumentSwords.jpg

Swords has good road links due to its proximity to Dublin city, which is the main focus of the Irish road network. The M1 Dublin–Belfast motorway passes along the eastern edge of the town and is the main route to/from Dublin City, Drogheda, Dundalk, Newry and Belfast. The M50 Dublin semi-orbital motorway passes to the south of the town and provides connections with all of the other main roads out of Dublin (N2, N3, N4, N7, N81 and M11). The R132 dual-carriageway bypasses the centre of Swords, and runs south to Dublin Airport and north to Balbriggan. The proposed Swords Western Ring Road dual carriageway is due to run from the M1 at Lissenhall, north of Swords, along the western edge of Swords to the M2 motorway at Cherryhound. Other main roads from Swords include the R106 to Malahide and Portmarnock, R108 to Ballyboughal and Naul, R125 to Ashbourne and the M2 motorway, R126 to Donabate and Portrane and R127 to Lusk and Skerries.

The town's Main Street is served by Dublin Bus (and Go-Ahead Ireland) routes 33, 33A, 33B, 33N, 41, 41B, 41C, 41X, 43, 102 and 142 as well as Bus Éireann routes 101 and 101n, and Swords Express routes 500, 500x, 501, 501x and 502. Buses operate between Swords and Dublin city centre approximately every 5 minutes throughout the day, through a combination of Dublin Bus routes 33, 41, 41B, 41C, 41X & 43,{{Cite web|url=http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/|title=Timetables|website=Dublin Bus|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711041041/http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/Your-Journey1/Timetables/?|url-status=live}} with a journey time of about an hour. Swords Express operate express services through the Dublin Port Tunnel which take about 35 minutes.{{Cite web|url=https://www.swordsexpress.com/Welcome/|title=Home|website=Swords Express|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=28 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728112711/https://www.swordsexpress.com/Welcome/|url-status=live}} Other bus routes serving Swords include the 102 to Malahide, Portmarnock and Sutton, route 33b to Donabate and Portrane, routes 33 and 33a to Lusk, Rush, Skerries, and Balbriggan and Bus Éireann route 101 to Balbriggan, Julianstown and Drogheda. Connect Bus and Coach operate route H1 every 20 minutes between Dublin Airport and the Travelodge Hotel in Swords.

There are a number of long-distance bus services from the Atrium Road and coach park in Dublin Airport{{cite web|url=http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/by-bus-or-coach.aspx|title=Coach and Airport Bus Services To and From Dublin Airport|website=Dublin Airport|access-date=10 July 2012|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060434/http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/to-from-the-airport/by-bus-or-coach.aspx|url-status=live}} to various locations throughout the country operated by Bus Éireann{{cite web|url=http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=267|title=Bus Éireann - View Ireland Bus and Coach Timetables & Buy Tickets|website=www.buseireann.ie|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728170704/http://www.buseireann.ie/inner.php?id=267|archive-date=28 July 2012|df=dmy-all}} and other private companies, including 50 daily services to Belfast (route 1/X2 & Aircoach{{cite web|url=http://www.aircoach.ie/timetables.php|title=Aircoach timetables|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705141229/http://aircoach.ie/timetables.php|archive-date=5 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}), 12 to Derry (route 33 & John Mc Ginley{{cite web|url=http://www.johnmcginley.com/timetable.html|title=John McGinley Coaches|website=www.johnmcginley.com|access-date=10 July 2012|archive-date=14 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114164725/http://www.johnmcginley.com/timetable.html|url-status=live}}), 11 to Letterkenny (route 32 & John Mc Ginley), 9 to Donegal (route 30), 3 to Sligo (route 23), 1 to Ballina (route 22), 52 to Galway (route 20, Citylink{{cite web|url=http://www.citylink.ie/index.php/routes-a-timetables/timetables|title=Citylink timetables|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708233313/http://www.citylink.ie/index.php/routes-a-timetables/timetables|archive-date=8 July 2012|df=dmy-all}} & gobus{{cite web|url=http://www.gobus.ie/timetable.php|title=Direct Galway to Dublin City & Dublin Airport Bus Service- Free Wi-Fi - Power Sockets - On-board Toilets - Non Stop Dublin to Galway Coach Service - Gobus - Great Fares from only €12|website=www.gobus.ie|access-date=10 July 2012|archive-date=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717182613/http://www.gobus.ie/timetable.php|url-status=dead}}), 14 to Limerick (route 12 & JJ Kavanagh{{cite web|url=http://www.jjkavanagh.ie/en/timetables/print-pdf|title=JJ Kavanagh timetables|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618000602/http://jjkavanagh.ie/en/timetables/print-pdf|archive-date=18 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}), 24 to Cork (GoBé & Aircoach), 6 to Clonmel (JJ Kavanagh), 21 to Waterford (route 4/X4 & JJ Kavanagh) and 31 to Wexford (route 2, Ardcavan{{cite web|url=http://www.ardcavan.com/dublin_september_2011.pdf|title=Ardcavan timetables|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913123640/http://www.ardcavan.com/dublin_september_2011.pdf|archive-date=13 September 2012|df=dmy-all}} & Wexford Bus{{Cite web|url=http://wexfordbus.com/timetables/wexford-dublin-airport/|title=Wexford Bus timetables|access-date=10 July 2012|archive-date=19 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719170710/http://wexfordbus.com/timetables/wexford-dublin-airport/|url-status=live}}).

Swords has no railway services. The nearest railway stations are at Malahide and Donabate. Malahide is served by the frequent DART service to Bray, through the city centre. Both Malahide and Donabate are served by Dublin – Drogheda commuter services.

Swords is the only Dublin county town not served by rail, as Tallaght in South Dublin is served by the Luas light rail system, and Dún Laoghaire is served by the DART and Irish Rail services.

File:ThePlazaSwords.jpg

There are proposals for a light rapid transit line, MetroLink, to run from Charlemont to Swords via the Mater Hospital, Glasnevin railway station, Dublin City University, Ballymun and Dublin Airport. As of July 2022, the MetroLink project was proposed to begin construction in {{update after|2026|1|1|text=2025}} and that, "all going well" it could be in operation by 2035.{{Cite web |title=Long-delayed Dublin Metrolink to cost €9.5bn with first trains running by 2034 |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/long-delayed-dublin-metrolink-to-cost-95bn-with-first-trains-running-by-2034-41812666.html |access-date=2022-07-05 |website=independent |date=4 July 2022 |language=en}}

Dublin Airport, the busiest airport in Ireland, is located at Collinstown, several kilometres to the south of Swords. The airport has direct flights to Britain, Europe, North America, North Africa and the Middle East. In 2019, 32.9 million passenger journeys were recorded,{{cite web |title=Dublin Airport passengers numbers up 4% to record high of 32.9 million |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0129/1111751-dublin-airports-record-figures/ |website=RTÉ News |date=29 January 2020 |publisher=RTÉ |access-date=11 March 2020 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202305/https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0129/1111751-dublin-airports-record-figures/ |url-status=live }} and it is by far the busiest of the airports by total passenger traffic in Ireland.

Knocksedan Heliport is a private heliport on the western side of Swords, run by Celtic Helicopters. It has four hangars and the operators provide a helicopter wash facility and Jet A1 Fuel.{{cite web|url=http://www.celtichelicopters.ie/index.php/heliport-facilities?layout=blog|title=Celtic Helicopters Knocksedan Heliport}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Irish Helicopters also use the heliport. They provide aerial crane, filming and survey services, helicopter charter and maintenance, spraying and special project services.{{cite web|url=http://www.irishhelicopters.com/our-services.html|title=PDG Aviation Services - Helicopter Lifting, Filming & Charter|first=Art Department (Aberdeen)|last=Limited|date=13 November 2017|access-date=12 September 2012|archive-date=28 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428130310/http://www.irishhelicopters.com/our-services.html|url-status=dead}}

Some historical attractions are listed below. Many of these are promoted by Swords Historical Society.

File:Swords Castle wall with Constable's Tower.jpg

{{Main|Swords Castle}}

Swords Castle was built as the manorial residence of the 1st Archbishop of Dublin, John Comyn, around 1200 or a little later in Swords, just north of Dublin. It was never strong in the military sense, but covers a large pentagonal walled area of nearly {{convert|1.5|acre|m2}} with a tower on the north and a gateway complex on the south. The adjoining chapel, built in the late thirteenth century, was probably used as the Archbishop's private oratory.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Other buildings, recorded in an inquisition in 1326, have now vanished, including the great hall on the east side of the enclosure. The Archbishop abandoned Swords once a new palace was built at Tallaght in 1324. The stepped battlements suggest some form of occupancy during the fifteenth century, but by 1583, when briefly occupied by Dutch Protestants, it was described as "the quite spoiled old castle". It was used as a garden in the nineteenth century and sold after the Church of Ireland was disestablished.

Swords Castle has undergone restoration and is open as a tourist attraction. The castle was used as a film location for the production of TV series The Tudors in the spring of 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/tv-radio/swords-castle-features-in-the-tudors-1901486.html |title=Swords Castle – The Tudors |newspaper=Evening Herald |access-date=5 October 2012 |archive-date=29 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129123933/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/dublin |url-status=live }}

File:County Dublin - Townparks Holy Well-St Colmcilles Well - 20170925132515.jpg

On Well Road, also known as St. Columb's Well. In a locked chamber. Reputed to be where Swords got its name when St. Colmcille blessed the well of clear water, 'Sord' being the Irish for 'clear or pure'.

File:StColmcillesTower.jpg

The round tower is the surviving remnant of St. Colmcille's monastic settlement. The only remaining relic of the medieval church is its belfry, from {{circa|1300}}, which is open to the public in the summertime. The original church is said to have fallen into ruin sometime in the seventeenth century. The new church of early Gothic style was built in 1811 on the foundations of the old.[http://www.fingaldublin.ie/interior-pages/activities-attractions-amp-conference/castles-churches-and-towers/swords-round-tower/ St. Columba's Round Tower] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130312091529/http://www.fingaldublin.ie/interior-pages/activities-attractions-amp-conference/castles-churches-and-towers/swords-round-tower/ |date=12 March 2013 }} Fingal Tourism The Sexton's Lodge was built in 1870. The body of Brian Boru was said to have been brought there in 1014 to be waked after the Battle of Clontarf, while on the way to be buried in Armagh.{{cite web|url=http://homepage.eircom.net/~aroundswords/swordshistory.htm|title=Around Swords History|website=homepage.eircom.net|access-date=28 December 2012|archive-date=24 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024035147/http://homepage.eircom.net/~aroundswords/swordshistory.htm|url-status=live}}

As well as St. Columba's, Swords was served by Cloghran-Swords church, south of the town, up until it was merged with Santry in 1872.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}}

Located on Main Street, the building was designed by the architect Francis Johnston. In 2015, Wetherspoon bought the premises, and now operates The Old Borough as a public house.

On Chapel Lane, a pre-Catholic emancipation church was built in 1827 on a site donated by James Taylor of Swords House. The graveyard contains the headstones of nationalist politician Andrew Kettle, who was known as "Parnell's Righthand Man".

File:CourtHouseSwords.jpg

Designed by Alexander Tate, Swords Courthouse is located on North Street and was built in 1845 in Classical style.

Founded in 1668, the 350-year-old Lord Mayors is a Swords landmark. The thatched-roof pub is the oldest structure in the village.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/lord-mayors-pub-swords-closing-16192819|title=Iconic 350-year-old North Dublin pub set to close its doors for good|last=Lyne|first=Laura|date=2019-04-28|website=Dublin Live|access-date=2020-04-24|archive-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513113926/https://www.dublinlive.ie/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/lord-mayors-pub-swords-closing-16192819|url-status=live}}

The Lord mayors closed for business in April 2019{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/newsireland/350-year-old-lord-mayors-pub-in-swords-set-to-close-its-doors-for-good/ar-BBWn4Gu|title=350-year-old Lord Mayors pub in Swords set to close its doors for good|website=MSN|access-date=2020-04-24}} leaving the premises vacant, with some locals questioning the plan to build 172 apartments on the site of the historic structure.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/locals-slam-plans-turn-former-17825573|title=Plan to build apartments on pub site 'turning town into concrete jungle'|last=O'Brien|first=Mark|date=2020-02-27|website=Dublin Live|access-date=2020-04-24|archive-date=13 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513203440/https://www.dublinlive.ie/news/dublin-news/locals-slam-plans-turn-former-17825573|url-status=live}}

File:Fingal County Hall.jpg

The modern Fingal County Hall, by Bucholz McEvoy Architects, is located at the northern end of Main Street. It is built on the site of Swords House, the home of the Norman family, the Taylors of Swords. Records show the family arrived there in the 13th century and built a 'Mansion House' in 1403.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Swords library, located on Rathbeale Road, offers library services and runs cultural activities for children and adults.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

Swords Historical Society, founded in 1982, is supported by volunteers who have worked to record, promote and preserve the heritage of the greater Swords area. The society's Museum and Heritage Centre at the Carnegie Library on North Street is run by volunteers and is open on weekday afternoons. The society's oral history project has produced an annual 'Swords Voices' publication, which chronicles the memories of local people.{{cite web|url=http://www.swordsheritage.com/|title=swordsheritage|website=www.swordsheritage.com|access-date=22 August 2012|archive-date=18 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130918014921/http://www.swordsheritage.com/|url-status=live}}

The Ward River Valley Park is a linear park on the banks of the Ward River approaching town. It covers an area of 89 ha. (220 acres) between Swords town centre and Knocksedan Bridge. Features include some 12th-century fortifications, woodland habitats, wetlands and rolling grassland. There are viewing points, picnic sites, sports pitches and tennis courts.{{cite web|url=http://www.fingalcoco.ie/CommunityRecreationandAmenitiesDepartment/Parks/ParksHeritageProperties/WardRiverValleyRegionalPark/|title=Ward River Valley Regional Park|publisher=Fingal County Council|website=www.fingalcoco.ie|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308061608/http://www.fingalcoco.ie/CommunityRecreationandAmenitiesDepartment/Parks/ParksHeritageProperties/WardRiverValleyRegionalPark/|archive-date=8 March 2012|url-status=dead}} The park is known locally as "The Jacko", which is a nickname that is thought to have originated in the 1960s.{{Cite web|title=The Jacko -The Ward River Valley Swords|url=https://www.swords-dublin.com/the-jacko-river.html|access-date=2021-11-02|website=Swords County Dublin|language=en|archive-date=2 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102081122/https://www.swords-dublin.com/the-jacko-river.html|url-status=live}}

File:TownParkNorth.jpg

Swords Town Park is a small park situated in the centre of the town of Swords, along the Ward River.{{cite web|url=http://www.fingalcoco.ie/CommunityRecreationandAmenitiesDepartment/Parks/ParksHeritageProperties/SwordsCastle/|title=Swords Castle|website=Fingal County Council|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430230209/http://www.fingalcoco.ie/CommunityRecreationandAmenitiesDepartment/Parks/ParksHeritageProperties/SwordsCastle/|archive-date=30 April 2008|url-status=dead}} It has tennis courts and a playground. Swords Castle lies within the park. It is the former residence of the Archbishop of Dublin and it is the only fortified residence of the Archbishop to survive in a reasonable state today (see above).

Balheary Park is north of the town centre near the confluence of the Broadmeadow River and the Ward River, which flow to the northern and southern edges of the park. It meets Swords Business Campus / Balheary Business Park on three sides and has some playing pitches which are used by the Fingallians GAA club. In mid-2006, Fingal County Council built a skatepark and adjoining basketball courts/football court in Balheary Park. The park contains a bowl, a vert wall, a spine, some quarterpipes, and a section of boxes in the middle of the park.

The Broadmeadow Linear Park is a small park north of Applewood along the Broadmeadow River. Fingal County Council plan to extend the park eastwards to Balheary Park and westwards into the proposed Swords Regional Park.[http://www.fingalcoco.ie/Planning/LocalAreaPlans/LocalAreaPlansDevelopmentPlan2005-2011/OldtownMooretownLAP/publications,32651,en.pdf Broadmeadow Linear Park]{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} (Section 3.1.2)

A little south of Swords, near Dublin Airport, the National Show Centre is an exhibition and conference venue owned by the Irish Kennel Club.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalshowcentre.ie/|title=Home - National Show Centre|website=NSC|access-date=25 August 2012|archive-date=5 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005081944/http://www.nationalshowcentre.ie/|url-status=live}} The venue is used as a counting centre during elections for the Dublin Fingal constituency.

Swords Boxing Club is based at Sluagh Hall, a former military facility which is shared with Fingallians GAA club.{{cite web | url = https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/boxing-club-win-fight-for-new-home-35716650.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | work = Fingal Independent | title = Boxing club win fight for new home | date = 20 May 2017 | accessdate = 27 April 2021 | archive-date = 27 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427132326/https://www.independent.ie/regionals/fingalindependent/news/boxing-club-win-fight-for-new-home-35716650.html | url-status = live }} Fingal Boxing Academy, which is affiliated with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association and located in Rivervalley, Swords, was the first boxing club in Ireland to train female boxers and has trained several national champions.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

There are three Gaelic Athletic Association clubs local to Swords, and one more with pitches. These include Fingallians (based at Lawless Memorial Park), St. Finian's (Rivervalley), and St Colmcille's (Holybanks, Glen Ellan Road in the Applewood neighbourhood).{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

There are several golf courses close to the town, namely Swords Open Golf Course, Forrest Little Golf Club, Roganstown Golf and Country Club and Balheary "Par 3" Golf Course. There are also several driving ranges in the area with the Drynam Golf Centre being the first driving range in Ireland with automated tees.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Swords RFC are a rugby union team playing in Division 3 of the Leinster League. The club is based out of ALSAA Sports Complex beside the airport and has 2 Men's teams and 1 Women's team.{{citation needed|date=January 2022}}

Swords Celtic, established in 1962, fields DDSL, NDSL, LSL, and MGL schoolboy and schoolgirl teams.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} The main pitch and clubhouse are located at Balheary, Swords and include dressing rooms an eleven-a-side and two seven-a-side pitches with floodlights.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Swords Manor FC, established in 1995, fields NDSL, DDSL, MGL, and UCFL schoolboy and schoolgirl teams.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} The main pitch and clubhouse are located on Brackenstown Road.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

River Valley Rangers AFC was established in 1981. It fields NDSL schoolboy/girl teams and its pitch and clubhouse are located in Ridgewood Park.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

Columbas Rovers FC was established in 2002. It uses the ALSAA sports centre near the airport.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}

A former club, Swords Rovers FC (founded in 1993), was disbanded in 2015.{{cite web | url = http://www.northcountyleader.ie/2015/09/29/end-of-an-era-2/ | website = northcountyleader.ie | title = End Of An Era | date = 29 September 2015 | access-date = 27 April 2021 | archive-date = 27 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427153304/http://www.northcountyleader.ie/2015/09/29/end-of-an-era-2/ | url-status = live }}

Dublin Airport Football Club, formerly known as Aer Rianta Soccer Club, was formed in 1972. The club is based in the ALSAA Sports Complex, Dublin Airport and comepetes in the Leinster Senior League.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Fingal Orienteers have created orienteering maps of the Ward River Valley park, and the surrounding estates of Swords Manor, Brackenstown, River Valley and Knocksedan, and regularly hold events in the area.{{cite web|url=http://fingal.orienteering.ie/|title=Fingal Orienteers|website=fingal.orienteering.ie|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=29 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229110806/http://fingal.orienteering.ie/|url-status=live}}

Racquet sports clubs include Forest Badminton Club, River Valley Badminton Club, and Swords Tennis Club (based at Swords Town Park). Swords Hockey Club is a ladies club based in ALSAA Sports Grounds.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The Fingal Horticultural Society holds their annual flower show in Swords every August.{{cite web|url=http://www.fingalhorticulturalsociety.com/|title=Fingal Horticultural Society & Flower Show, Swords, North Dublin, Ireland » Gardening, growing and horticulture in Fingal|website=www.fingalhorticulturalsociety.com|access-date=10 May 2013|archive-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219184839/http://www.fingalhorticulturalsociety.com/|url-status=live}} It includes competition classes in cut flowers, flower arranging, cookery, wine making, photography, painting and handcrafts.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

The Flavours of Fingal agricultural show first took place in July 2012 in Newbridge House near Donabate. The farm section of the two-day show featured a program of livestock and sheep competitions, equestrian contests and other agricultural displays. Separately, the walled garden of Newbridge House hosted the food producers section of the show.{{cite web|url=http://www.flavoursoffingal.ie/|title=Flavours of Fingal|website=Flavours of Fingal|access-date=26 July 2012|archive-date=16 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416000426/http://flavoursoffingal.ie/|url-status=live}}

In 2012 over 80 dog shows were held in the National Show Centre,[http://www.ikc.ie/dog-competitions/dog-shows/show-dates Irish Kennel Club Show Dates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825154350/http://ikc.ie/dog-competitions/dog-shows/show-dates |date=25 August 2012 }} search Cloghran including the Celtic Winners Dog Show, held on St. Patrick's Day.{{original research inline|date=July 2020}}

The first Fingal 10k Road Race took place on 22 July 2012 on the roads around Swords. It was part of the Dublin Race Series, a series which culminates in the Dublin Marathon. Over 4200 people entered the first race,{{cite web|url=http://dublinmarathon.ie/index.php|title=Dublin Marathon 2012|website=dublinmarathon.ie|access-date=22 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722195545/http://dublinmarathon.ie/index.php|archive-date=22 July 2012|url-status=dead}} and the event has since been run annually.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

File:Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre.jpg]]

Swords is the home to a large retail and business park called Airside Retail and Business Park, on the southern fringe of the town, hosting a number of employers. It is home to several corporates, including Ryanair, AIB, eShopWorld, Sandisk, Fujitsu, Ricoh and the European headquarters of Kellogg's.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} Ingersoll Rand also has its corporate headquarters in the Airside Business Park."[http://company.ingersollrand.com/Pages/ContactUs.aspx Contact Us] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102180651/http://company.ingersollrand.com/Pages/ContactUs.aspx |date= 2 January 2011 }}." Ingersoll Rand. Retrieved on 18 January 2011. "Global Headquarters 170/175 Lakeview Drive Airside Business Park Swords, Co. Dublin Ireland."

East of the town, running parallel to Swords bypass, lies the large Swords Business Park, where the Hertz Corporation have a Shared Services Centre.

Swords also has a large shopping centre, the Pavilions Swords, off the R132, which has a multi-screen cinema and branches of SuperValu and Dunnes Stores.

File:E4411-Ryanair-planes-in-Dublin.jpg and Ryanair planes at Dublin Airport, near Swords. ]]

Swords is the closest town to Dublin Airport and the two share the same Eircode routing area key of K67. The airport has long provided employment to the area. In 2011, Dublin Airport handled over 18.7 million passengers and served over 171 routes with 62 airlines.{{cite web|url=http://www.dublinairport.com/gns/flight-information/destinations-airlines.aspx|title=Live Flight Information and Status Updates|website=Dublin Airport|access-date=16 November 2012|archive-date=14 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014042813/http://dublinairport.com/gns/flight-information/destinations-airlines.aspx|url-status=live}} The airport serves as an operating base for Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus Regional, Air Contractors, CityJet, Ryanair and Thomson Airways, and as a maintenance base for Aer Lingus, CityJet, Dublin Aerospace,{{cite web|url=http://dublinaerospace.com/|title=Home|website=Dublin Aerospace|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=1 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501081100/http://dublinaerospace.com/|url-status=live}} Eirtech Aviation,{{cite web|url=http://www.eirtechaviation.ie/indexFlash.php|title=Eirtech Aviation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205073915/http://eirtechaviation.ie/indexFlash.php|archive-date=5 February 2012|df=dmy-all}} Etihad Airways{{cite web|url=http://www.etihad.com/en/about-us/etihad-news/|title=News - Etihad Airways|website=Etihad Global|access-date=13 November 2017|archive-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113232818/http://www.etihad.com/en/about-us/etihad-news/|url-status=live}} and Ryanair.

The Irish Aviation Authority{{cite web|url=http://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=101&n=419|title=Irish Aviation Authority|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106141039/http://www.iaa.ie/index.jsp?p=101&n=419|archive-date=6 January 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} operate the Dublin Air Traffic Control Centre on the airport.

The headquarters of the Dublin Airport Authority and Ireland's four largest airlines are located in or near Swords. The Dublin Airport Authority, who manage Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports, employ over 3,000 people and have their headquarters on the airport campus.{{cite web|url=http://www.daa.ie/gns/company-profile/overview.aspx|title=Company Profile - daa|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705013303/http://www.daa.ie/gns/company-profile/overview.aspx|archive-date=5 July 2012|df=dmy-all}} Aer Lingus,{{cite web|url=http://www.aerlingus.com/help/contactus/|title=Contact Us - Aer Lingus|website=www.aerlingus.com|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=18 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518120321/http://www.aerlingus.com/help/contactus/|url-status=live}} Ireland's flag carrier, have their headquarters on the Dublin Airport campus. CityJet, part of the Air France-KLM group, has its headquarters in Swords Business Campus{{cite web|url=http://www.cityjet.com/contact-us/|title=CityJet - Contact Us|last=CityJet|website=www.cityjet.com|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=20 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120720053408/http://www.cityjet.com/contact-us/|url-status=live}} and Air Contractors, part of the ASL Aviation group, has its head office on the Malahide Road in Swords.{{cite web|url=http://www.aircontractors.com/detail.aspx?page=ContactUs|title=Air Contractors|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717064229/http://www.aircontractors.com/detail.aspx?page=ContactUs|archive-date=17 July 2012|df=dmy-all}} In 2014, Ryanair moved into a new €20m, 100,000 sq ft Dublin Head Office in Airside Business Park.{{cite web|url=http://www.ryanair.com/index.php/ie/news/ryanair-buys-new-dublin-offices/|title=Ryanair Official website News Article}}{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The building was officially opened in April 2014.

In 2007 Tesco Ireland opened their new €70 million distribution centre in Lanestown, between Swords and Donabate. With a building footprint of over 68,000 m² and a total volume of 1.55 million m² the Tesco Ireland distribution centre is the largest building on the island of Ireland and one of the 10 largest building in the world. The building is over half a kilometre long, has 106 loading bays and supplies 106 stores up to 6 times a day.{{cite web|url=http://www.euromech.ie/pallet-racking-tesco-ireland-dublin.html|title=Tesco Ireland Case Study: Pallet Racking, Mesh Shelving, Mesh Partitioning|website=www.euromech.ie|access-date=1 September 2012|archive-date=30 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430025736/http://www.euromech.ie/pallet-racking-tesco-ireland-dublin.html|url-status=live}}

Swords is the home to several international chemical producers and pharmaceutical giants, including Opec. Merck Sharp & Dohme (formally Organnon) employ over 500 people in their facility in Drynam, which manufactures women's health, anaesthesiology and mental health products.{{cite web|url=http://www.msd-ireland.com/about/our-locations/home.html?WT.svl=mainnav|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129052341/http://www.msd-ireland.com/about/our-locations/home.html?WT.svl=mainnav|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-01-29|title=MSD Ireland}} Bristol Myers Squibb employ over 400 people in their Swords Laboratories bulk pharmaceutical plant on Watery Lane.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bms.com/ie|title=Bristol Myers Squibb - Global Biopharmaceutical Company|website=www.bms.com|access-date=19 November 2021|archive-date=19 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119060047/https://www.bms.com/ie|url-status=live}} The Lonza Group employ 45 people in their European manufacturing facility for personal care and industrial biocides, also on Watery Lane.{{cite web|url=http://www.lonza.com/about-lonza/company-profile/locations-worldwide/swords-ireland.aspx|title=Lonza Swords|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612035909/http://www.lonza.com/about-lonza/company-profile/locations-worldwide/swords-ireland.aspx|archive-date=12 June 2012|df=dmy-all}}

Swords is located in the centre of Fingal and is surrounded by farms growing crops like potatoes, wheat and barley. However, unlike the rest of Fingal, a lot of the food distributed from Swords has been imported from abroad.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}} As of 2018, FoodCentral (marketed as "Ireland's national food park") was being developed south-west of Swords.{{cite web | url = https://www.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/oakland-expands-to-foodcentral-37080963.html | publisher = Independent News & Media | website = independent.ie | title = Oakland expands to FoodCentral | date = 5 July 2018 | accessdate = 27 April 2021 | archive-date = 27 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427140336/https://www.independent.ie/business/commercial-property/oakland-expands-to-foodcentral-37080963.html | url-status = live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.foodcentral.eu/index.aspx|title=FoodCentral - Homepage|website=www.foodcentral.eu|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-date=1 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601042710/http://www.foodcentral.eu/index.aspx|url-status=live}}

The Keeling's Group, who employ over 1700 people, have their headquarters in FoodCentral and use a lot of land around Swords.{{cite web|url=http://www.keelings.com/home.html|title=Keeling's Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108121657/http://www.keelings.com/home.html|archive-date=8 January 2013|df=dmy-all}} The Keeling's Farms division annually grow 2,500 tonnes of soft fruits/berries from 5 hectares of glasshouse, tunnel and field crops in Swords. They grow Bramley apples in 139 acres of orchards and lettuce in 8 acres of glasshouses. Their glasshouses also produce 1,500 tonnes of red, orange, yellow and green peppers annually.{{cite web|url=http://www.keelings.com/business9c8a.html?id=23|title=Keeling's Farms|access-date=20 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327013848/http://www.keelings.com/business9c8a.html?id=23|archive-date=27 March 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} Keeling's also operate a large banana ripening facility for Chiquita which ripens over 3 million bananas each week. They also have separate ripening rooms for other fruits.{{cite web|url=http://www.keelings.com/businessea25.html?id=24|title=Keeling's Multiples|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327013854/http://www.keelings.com/businessea25.html?id=24|archive-date=27 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chiquita.com/Home.aspx|title=Chiquita Bananas|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909201409/http://www.chiquita.com/Home.aspx|archive-date=9 September 2012|df=dmy-all}}

Total Produce, Ireland's largest agribusiness{{cite web|url=http://www.top1000.ie/industries/agribusiness|title=The Top Agribusiness Companies on Top1000.ie|website=Top 1000|date=25 June 2023|access-date=8 September 2012|archive-date=9 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909021735/http://www.top1000.ie/industries/agribusiness|url-status=live}} operates two facilities in Swords.{{cite web|url=http://www.totalproduce.com/about.php?m=46|title=Total Produce|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821213312/http://www.totalproduce.com/about.php?m=46|archive-date=21 August 2014|df=dmy-all}} Its facility in Swords Business Park includes a distribution and ripening centre for Fyffes{{cite web|url=http://www.fyffes.com/gns/our-company/locations-and-contacts.aspx|title=Fyffes Swords|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608063323/http://www.fyffes.com/gns/our-company/locations-and-contacts.aspx|archive-date=8 June 2012|df=dmy-all}} Cape, Outspan, Green Ace and TOP Fruit products. Their "Uniplumo" facility on the Rathbeale Road,{{cite web|url=http://www.freshproduce.org.uk/membership/382.html|title=FPC Newsdesk|website=www.freshproduce.org.uk|access-date=15 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924015530/http://www.freshproduce.org.uk/membership/382.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} has 46,000 square metres of glasshouses for growing plants, flowers and tomatoes.

The town is served by more than 10 primary schools. These include several gaelscoils,{{cite web|url=http://www.gsbb.ie/|title=Fáilte - Welcome|website=Gaelscoil Bhrian Bóroimhe|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=11 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011211506/http://www.gsbb.ie/|url-status=live}} a number of Educate Together schools,{{cite web|url=http://www.swordseducatetogether.ie/|title=Swords Educate Together National School|website=www.swordseducatetogether.ie|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=5 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205215217/http://www.swordseducatetogether.ie/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://thornleighet.com/|title=Thornleigh Educate Together National School|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120713041055/http://www.thornleighet.com/|archive-date=13 July 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.holywelletns.ie/|title=Home - Holywell Educate Together National School|website=Holywell Educate Together National School|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=26 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126043138/http://www.holywelletns.ie/|url-status=live}} and mixed and gender-specific national schools.{{cite web|url=http://www.stcronansjns.ie/|title=St. Cronan's Junior National School Brackenstown, Swords|website=St. Cronan's Junior National School Brackenstown, Swords|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=9 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709111825/http://www.stcronansjns.ie/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stcronanssns.ie/|title=Scoil Chrónáin - St Cronan's Senior National School, Swords|website=Scoil Chrónáin - St Cronan's Senior National School, Swords|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=28 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628045350/http://www.stcronanssns.ie/|url-status=live}} The latter includes both Church of Ireland and Catholic schools.{{cite web|url=http://homepage.eircom.net/~swordsourtown/|title=St. Colmcille's B.N.S., Swords|website=homepage.eircom.net|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=22 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822163215/http://homepage.eircom.net/~swordsourtown/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.stcolmcillesgns.scoilnet.ie/|title=St. Colmcille's Girls' N.S. - Fáilte chuig suíomh idirlíon Scoil Cholmcille na gCailíní|website=www.stcolmcillesgns.scoilnet.ie|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=26 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626150815/http://www.stcolmcillesgns.scoilnet.ie/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hfjns.scoilnet.ie/index.html|title=Holy Family Junior National School|website=www.hfjns.scoilnet.ie|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717205912/http://www.hfjns.scoilnet.ie/index.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://holyfamilysns.ie/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618134753/http://www.holyfamilysns.ie/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-06-18|title=Holy Family Senior National School}}{{Cite web|url=http://scoiland.ie/|title=Scoil An Duinnínigh – Mol an Óige, agus tiocfaidh sí|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711193637/http://scoiland.ie/|url-status=live}} A number of other primary schools are in planning or under construction.[http://documents.fingalcoco.ie/Northgate.WebSearch/(S(aietxov4j525jq45oy0gbpem))/Download.aspx?ID=448969 Proposed Mooretown Primary Schools]{{Dead link|date=January 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Page 2[http://www.fingal.ie/media/2.4.4.G.2%20Fosterstown%20LAP%202.pdf Fosterstown Primary School] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426184435/http://fingal.ie/media/2.4.4.G.2%20Fosterstown%20LAP%202.pdf |date=26 April 2016 }} Page 39

The secondary schools serving the town include Loreto College (all-girls school, River Valley),{{cite web|url=http://www.loretoswords.ie/|title=Loreto College Swords|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=9 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409172830/http://www.loretoswords.ie/|url-status=live}} Coláiste Choilm C.B.S. (all-boys school, Dublin Road),{{cite web|url=http://www.colaistechoilmswords.ie/|title=Colaiste Choilm Swords – Colaiste Choilm Swords|website=www.colaistechoilmswords.ie|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530142025/http://colaistechoilmswords.ie/|url-status=live}} Fingal Community College (Seatown Road),{{Cite web|url=https://www.fingalcc.ie/|title=Fingal Community College|first=Fingal Community|last=College|website=Fingal Community College|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808162343/https://www.fingalcc.ie/|url-status=live}} St. Finian's Community College (Castlefarm),{{cite web|url=http://stfinianscc.ie/|title=St Finian's Community College - Coláiste Fhionáin|website=stfinianscc.ie|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=3 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403115603/http://www.stfinianscc.ie/|url-status=live}} and Swords Community College (Rathbeale Road){{Cite web|url=http://www.swordscc.ie/|title=Coláiste Pobail Sord|first=Swords Community|last=College|website=Coláiste Pobail Sord|access-date=27 April 2021|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427211004/http://www.swordscc.ie/|url-status=live}}

Land has been reserved for a potential university campus at Lissenhall in north Swords.[http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/2.4.3.A.9.1%20Yours%20Swords%20Document.pdf Potential Lissenhall University Campus] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131064426/http://www.fingalcoco.ie/media/2.4.3.A.9.1%20Yours%20Swords%20Document.pdf |date=31 January 2014 }} page 89{{update inline|date=December 2020}}

The National Learning Network, Fingal Adult Education Service and Swords Youthreach each have a presence in the area.{{cite web|url=http://www.nln.ie/|title=National Learning Network - Home|website=www.nln.ie|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=30 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131130152224/http://www.nln.ie/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fingaladulteducation.ie/|title=Home - adult and further education Balbriggan, Swords, Fingal Adult Education, Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Stamullen, Gormanston, The Naul, Swords, Donabate, Portmarnock, Garristown and North Dublin|website=www.fingaladulteducation.ie|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=11 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011095422/http://www.fingaladulteducation.ie/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iol.ie/~swordsyr|title=Swords Youthreach|first=R|last=Rudden|website=www.iol.ie|access-date=16 November 2013|archive-date=7 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007112034/http://www.iol.ie/~swordsyr/|url-status=live}}

There is also the Fingal Adult Literacy and Education Centre{{Cite web|url=https://adulteducationnorthcountydublin.ie/|title=Adult Education Services Balbriggan & Swords | Literacy | Back to Work Skills|website=AES Balbriggan & Swords|access-date=27 April 2021|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427212451/https://adulteducationnorthcountydublin.ie/|url-status=live}}

Christianity is the predominant religion in Swords and Roman Catholicism is the predominant denomination. The town has six Roman Catholic churches. St. Colmcille's, the Church of the Visitation and Our Lady Queen of Heaven are all within Swords parish.{{cite web|url=http://swordsparish.com/St_Colm.html|title=St. Colmcille's Church|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821044827/http://swordsparish.com/St_Colm.html|archive-date=21 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://swordsparish.com/Visitation.html|title=Church of the Visitation|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821044755/http://swordsparish.com/Visitation.html|archive-date=21 August 2012|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://swordsparish.com/queen_of_heaven.html|title=Our Lady Queen of Heaven Chapel|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120821044558/http://swordsparish.com/queen_of_heaven.html|archive-date=21 August 2012|df=dmy-all}} St. Cronan's and St. Finian's each belong to distinct parishes, while the Church of the Immaculate Conception lies within Donabate parish.[http://brackenstownparish.com/ St. Cronan's Church] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406110421/http://www.brackenstownparish.com/ |date= 6 April 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.rivervalley.dublindiocese.ie/|title=St. Finian's Church|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517112745/http://www.rivervalley.dublindiocese.ie/|archive-date=17 May 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.donabateparish.ie/churches|title=Churches - Donabate, Portrane & Balheary Parish|website=Donabate Parish|access-date=12 July 2012|archive-date=24 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224131654/http://www.donabateparish.ie/churches|url-status=live}}

There are also a further eight Christian churches and a retreat centre.{{cite web|url=http://www.emmauscentre.ie/multi/default.asp?itemId=193|title=Emmaus Retreat and Conference Centre|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103193458/http://www.emmauscentre.ie/multi/default.asp?itemId=193|archive-date=3 November 2012|df=dmy-all}} These include Swords Baptist Church which meets in The Riasc Centre in Feltrim.{{cite web|url=http://www.swordsbaptistchurch.com/|title=Church in Swords Dublin - Swords Baptist Church – Church community meeting in The Riasc Centre, Feltrim Rd, Swords, Co. Dublin|website=www.swordsbaptistchurch.com}} and St. Columba's Church of Ireland church on Church Road,{{cite web|url=http://stcolumbaswords.wordpress.com/|title=St Columba's Parish Swords|website=St Columba's Parish Swords|access-date=13 July 2012|archive-date=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130517053540/http://stcolumbaswords.wordpress.com/|url-status=live}}

Other Protestant and evangelical communities include the Apostolic Faith Church and Churchtown Trust.{{cite web|url=http://www.apostolicfaith.org.uk/index.php?p=contact&cid=3|title=Welcome to Apostolic Faith Church|website=www.apostolicfaith.org.uk|access-date=6 October 2012|archive-date=29 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120929061025/http://www.apostolicfaith.org.uk/index.php?p=contact&cid=3|url-status=live}}[https://archive.today/20130217231135/http://planning.fingalcoco.ie/swiftlg/apas/run/WPHAPPDETAIL.DisplayUrl?theApnID=F10A/0512&backURL Churchtown Trust] Churchtown Trust Prayer Room The Syriac Orthodox Church meets as the St. Ignatius Jacobite Congregation in St Columba's Church of Ireland church.{{cite web|url=http://www.jacobitechurchswords.com/index-1.htm|title=Jacobite Church, Swords, Ireland|website=www.jacobitechurchswords.com|access-date=6 October 2012|archive-date=8 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130908180840/http://jacobitechurchswords.com/index-1.htm|url-status=live}} Jehovah's Witnesses meet at a Kingdom Hall on Kettles Lane.{{cite web|url=http://dublin.ratemyarea.com/places/kingdom-hall-of-jehov-109166|title=Kingdom Hall, Kettles Lane|access-date=8 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095014/http://dublin.ratemyarea.com/places/kingdom-hall-of-jehov-109166|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

The Dublin Welfare Society manage a makeshift mosque in a Swords industrial estate{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/ireland-s-largest-mosque-gets-approval-from-an-bord-pleanala-1.1509586|title=Ireland's largest mosque gets approval from An Bord Pleanála|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=27 July 2022|archive-date=27 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727160209/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/ireland-s-largest-mosque-gets-approval-from-an-bord-pleanala-1.1509586|url-status=live}}

Swords is part of the Dáil constituency of Dublin Fingal. From the 2024 general election, it will be part of the new constituency of Dublin Fingal East.

The local electoral area of Swords has 7 councillors on Fingal County Council.

{{unreferenced section|date=December 2020}}

• Saint Colmcille, founder of Swords.
• Gruffudd ap Cynan (1055–1137), Welsh King of Gwynedd, reared in Swords as a close relative of the Hiberno-Norse Kings of Dublin and grandson of King Brian Boru
• Robert FitzRery, Attorney-General for Ireland from 1450 to 1463, came from a long-established Swords family which claimed descent from Gruffudd ap Cynan.Curtis, E. (1921) "The FitzRerys, Welsh Lords of Cloghran, Co. Dublin" Journal of the County Louth Archaeological Society Vol. 5 p.13
• Eleanor Ambrose, Catholic heiress, is from Swords.
• Conan Byrne, A retired League of Ireland Footballer.
• Ed Byrne, comedian, is from Swords.
• Jason Byrne, comedian, lives in Swords.
• Duncan Campbell, video artist, won 2014 Turner Prize, grew up in Swords.
• Bill Cullen, businessman, presenter of the TV show, "The Apprentice", owns and works at Europa Academy in Swords.
• Zachary Elbouzedi, Irish footballer for AIK Fotboll
• Jamie Finn, Irish footballer for Birmingham City W.F.C.
• Paul Flynn, Dublin and Fingallians GAA player, lives in Swords.
• Ronan Keating, singer-songwriter, lived in the Highfields residential development on the town's southern side.
• Peter Kioso, footballer for Luton Town, born in Swords
• Kodaline, a popular band, come from Swords
• Richard Montgomery, hero of the American Revolution, born in Swords.
• Chris Newman, actor known for his roles in Song for a Raggy Boy and Red Rock
• Sean Roughan, footballer for Lincoln City, born in Swords
• Blessed Francis Taylor, former mayor of Dublin, martyr, born in Swords.
• Keith Ward, footballer for Shelbourne FC

{{Portal|Ireland}}

• List of abbeys and priories in County Dublin
• List of towns and villages in Ireland

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From {{cite web|url=http://www.logainm.ie/?uiLang=en |title=Irish Placenames Database |work=logainm.ie |language=en, ga |access-date=2016-12-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100422232126/http://logainm.ie/?uiLang=en |archive-date=22 April 2010 |url-status=live }}:

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{{Commons category}}

{{Wikivoyage|Swords}}

• [https://www.swords-dublin.com/ Local website]

{{Swords, Dublin}}

{{Fingal}}

{{Areas of Dublin}}

{{Dublin residential areas}}

{{Largest urban areas in the Republic of Ireland by population}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Civil parishes of the barony of Nethercross

Category:County towns in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Former boroughs in the Republic of Ireland