Swords - Swords

Swords (Irish: Sord) is a large town in Ireland. The town is 12 km north of Dublin City Centre, adjacent to Dublin Airport, and with a population of over 43,000 people (2011), the town is the largest in Ireland. It is expanding rapidly, and is expected to emerge as a city with a population of over 100,000 by 2035. The town has a lot of shops, bars and restaurants, although it is a bit limited with tourist attractions. With around 60% of the population under the age of 35, Swords is well known for its vibrant nightlife, and several nightclubs, including Ireland's largest.

Understand

History

The town dates back to 560 AD when it was founded by Saint Colmcille (521–567). Legend has it that the saint blessed a local well, giving the town its name, Sord, meaning "clear" or "pure". The best indicators of Early Christian settlement are the ecclesiastical enclosures. In Swords case the street pattern has been influenced by the circular alignment of the settlement. The medieval town developed in a linear pattern along the Main Street in a north – south direction. Swords has one of the best examples of this settlement pattern in the Dublin region. The round tower, 26 m in height, is also an indicator of early Christian settlement.

Orientation

Despite its large population, Swords is quite compact and all of the town is within 2 km of the centre.

Swords Village is the centre of the town. It consists of the Main Street, The Plaza, Town Centre Mall and the large, modern Swords Pavilions and Swords Central shopping centres. This area contains most of the shops, restaurants, bars, clubs and hotels. Swords Castle, St. Colmcille's Well and St. Columba's Round Tower are also in this area, while the Fingal Tourism Office is located on a side street off the Main Street.

Airside is a newer area about 1 km south of Swords Village, made up of a large retail park, motor park and business park. The area has two hotels, several restaurants and shops, an observatory and Ireland's largest nightclub, The Wright Venue.

The climate is mild in winter, cool in summer, with frequent light showers: see County Dublin weather chart.

Get in

See Dublin for long-distance travel options. From within Ireland, simplest is to drive or take the bus.

By plane

1 Dublin Airport (DUB IATA) is just 5 km south of the centre of Swords. There's a wide selection of flights across UK, Europe and North America, and a few to the Gulf States. You can reach Swords directly from the airport in 10 mins by bus, taxi (reckon €10) or rental car - all the main operators are represented in Arrivals.

The buses to Swords depart from stop 7348 in Zone 13, signposted from Arrivals. Bus 41[dead link] runs to Swords Manor every 20 mins via Pinnockhill, Swords Pavilions, Main Street, Rathbeale Road, Murrough Road and Brackenstown. Bus 102[dead link] runs to Sutton Station every 30 min via Forest Road, River Valley, Swords Pavilions and Malahide Road. Cash fare is €2.15 to Main Street and €2.60 to go further. You need exact change in coins if you pay on the bus, otherwise buy from the ticket machine near the stop or from the newsagent in Arrivals. Luggage space is limited on these buses, and drivers occasionally turn away travellers with packs that cannot be stored. This is unlikely to happen between airport and Swords, it's more of a problem between airport and central Dublin, with droves of budget travellers trying to save €4 over the fare for the dedicated airport bus.

Many hotels in Swords have a shuttle bus to & from the airport.

By train

There are no rail services to Swords. The metro line between Swords, the airport and central Dublin is supposed to be completed in 2027, but that's probably just a typo for "2207" since the budget has already escalated to squillions of euros. Until then, the closest is 2 Malahide Station, which has DART and Commuter Services. Dublin Bus 102[dead link] runs every 30 mins from stop 3634 across the road from the station to Swords and the airport. The journey to Swords takes 10-15 minutes and costs €2.15.

Inter-city trains from most of Ireland converge on Heuston Station in the west of Dublin. Buy your ticket to "Dublin City Centre", not "Dublin Heuston", so that the tram ride into the centre is included; otherwise buy from the machine at the tram stop. Ride the tram towards The Point or Connolly for 5 stops and get off at Abbey Street. A little further up that street are bus stops OW and OX on the left, for buses to Swords, e.g. the 33 or 41.

Trains from Belfast, Sligo and Rosslare arrive at Connolly Station. Go downstairs and exit onto Amiens Street, cross, and walk down Talbot Street until you reach Gardiner Street. Turn left here and find bus stop 1171 on the right, for the 33 or 41 bus to Swords. Trains from Sligo also stop at Drumcondra, and from Belfast at Drogheda, with onward local connections.

The DART and commuter trains from Connolly run to Malahide every 15 min or so, taking 25 min, fare €3.30. Some continue north to Drogheda, and south of Connolly to Dublin Pearse, Greystones or Bray.

By car

Best for car rental is the airport, rather than Swords or Dublin city centre.

Swords is along the M1 motorway between Dublin and Belfast. From Dublin head north, pass the M50 junction and airport and take exit 3 into Swords. From Belfast, Lisburn, Newry, Dundalk or Drogheda follow A1/M1 towards Dublin and take exit 4. From Derry, Letterkenny, Omagh or Monaghan follow A5/N2 towards Dublin; at Ardee turn off onto the N33 link road to join M1 south until exit 4.

All other routes across Ireland converge on Dublin's ring road M50. Join it northbound till it meets M1, then follow signs for Belfast and take exit 3.

Car parking in Swords is usually not a problem.

By bus

Inter-city: Dublin Airport is in effect the area's coach hub, as services across Ireland run from here, so even if you're not flying it's more convenient to come this way rather than via Dublin city centre. The main operator is Bus Éireann, with buses to Belfast, Derry, Letterkenny, Donegal, Sligo, Ballina, Galway, Limerick, Cork, Waterford and Wexford; see each individual city's "Get in" for other operators. Between Swords and the airport take bus 41 or 102 as described earlier.

Bus Éireann 101 runs every 20 mins from Swords north to Balrothery, Balbriggan and Drogheda. Southbound it runs to the airport and city but is not available for journeys just between the city, airport and Swords.

Go Ahead Bus 197 from the airport runs hourly via Swords west to Ashbourne.

Central Dublin:Swords Express is the quickest and easiest. These bright red buses run at least every 30 mins from Eden Quay via North Wall Quay and East Wall Road (for the port) then dive through the tunnel. They take 30 mins to Swords, stopping at Holywell, Boroimhe, Forest Road, Swords Pavilions, Applewood and Brackenstown. Cash fares cost €3.20 (€4.20 at peak times, €5.20 late night). Leap fares cost €3 (€4 at peak times, €5 late night).

Dublin Bus routes 33, 41, 41b and 41c from the city are frequent, congested and slow. These run every few minutes from Lower Abbey Street (stops OW and OX) via Gardiner Street, Drumcondra Road and Swords Road. They take about an hour and all serve Swords Main Street; buses 41 and 41b also serve Rathbeale Road while bus 41c runs to Boroimhe, River Valley and Applewood. The fare is €3.05 cash (exact coins only) or €2.50 by Leap card.

Around Dublin: Dublin Buses to Swords from around the city are:

  • 33 & 33a[dead link] from Balbriggan, Skerries, Rush & Lusk
  • 33b[dead link] from Portraine & Donabate
  • 41b[dead link] from Rolestown
  • 41x[dead link] from UCD Belfield & Donnybrook
  • 43 from Eden Quay, Artane & Malahide Road
  • 102[dead link] from Sutton, Portmarnock & Malahide

By boat

See Dublin for details of ferries to Dublin Port from Liverpool, Holyhead and Isle of Man; the port of Dún Laoghaire is no longer used.

From the port, with your own car follow signs for the M50 Tunnel. Tolls are €10 peak, €3 off-peak. Continue north on M1 (signed for the airport and Belfast) until you see the exit for Swords. On foot, walk to East Wall Road near the tunnel entrance for the bus stop for the Swords Express as above.

If you're using Swords as a base for touring the north, another ferry route is the short crossing from Cairnryan near Stranraer to Belfast, then drive south on M1.

Get around

53°27′0″N 6°13′12″W
Map of Swords

By foot

Walking is the easiest way to travel around the centre of Swords. Although Swords has a large population, it is relatively small in terms of area. The entire town is within a 2.5-km radius of the town centre. Nearly all roads have wide paths on either side and there are a few small pedestrian streets and walkways. The best street map of Swords is pages 1&2 of The Official Dublin Street Guide by Ordnance Survey Ireland. Openstreetmap.org also has very good coverage of Swords.

By bicycle

Cycling is also a good option in Swords, however bicycle hire is extremely limited. Bicycle lanes have been included on most main roads and a lot of roads in the town have wide lanes allowing bicycles and cars pass side by side.

By bus

Swords is well served by frequent bus services. Bus is a good option for travelling within the town and new electronic signs at main bus stops tell passengers when the next buses will be coming. Be aware that exact amount in coins is needed on Dublin Bus services as drivers can't give change or accept notes. If you are planning to use public transport a lot, consider getting a prepaid leap card. Leap Cards cost €5 and give discounts of about 15%. They can be topped up with travel credit at nearly all supermarkets and convenience stores and can be used across Dublin. A Dublin Bus journey within Swords will usually cost €1.65 cash or €1.40 leap, with longer journeys costing €2.15 cash or €1.90 leap. Swords Express journeys within Swords cost €1.20 cash (leap not accepted).

  • Dublin Bus route 41 operates approximately every 20 minutes between Brackenstown, Applewood, Swords Village, Swords Pavilions, Pinnockhill and Dublin Airport [1][dead link].
  • Dublin Bus route 41c operates approximately every 20 minutes between Brackenstown, Rathbeale, Swords Village, River Valley, Boroimhe and Cloghran [2][dead link].
  • Dublin Bus routes 41 & 41c are timed to provide a 10 minute frequency between Brackenstown and Swords Village.
  • Swords Express operates every 30 minutes between Brackenstown, Applewood, Seatown, Swords Pavilions, Boroimhe and Holywell. See timetable.

Transport for Ireland provides a [ http://transportforireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/12_Swords_A3.pdf map of Dublin Bus routes] in Swords.

By taxi

Taxi stands are at County Hall, Chapel Lane and Pavilions Shopping Centre. Journeys within Swords and to the airport cost €10-15. Firms in 2020 were:

By car

A number of car hire services are available at Dublin Airport (see Get In - By Plane above). It is not necessary to hire a car to travel within the town, however it can be useful if you are planning to visit places further away. Most hotels and guesthouses provide free parking for customers and street parking is also available within the town, mostly as pay and display. Signage is generally very good in the area and roads can be easy to follow. Try to avoid driving into Dublin during the morning peak times.

See

Constable Tower, Swords Castle
St. Columba's church and round tower
Swords courthouse

Historical

  • 1 Swords Castle, Swords Town Park (entrances on Bridge St and North St), ☏ 353 1 890 5600, fax: 353 1 890 5649. Mar-Sep: Tu-Su 09:30-17:00, Oct-Feb: Tu-Su 09:30-16:00. Built as a residence for the Archbishop of Dublin in the 13th century; not primarily defensive but a curtain wall encloses a large pentagonal courtyard. The building interiors are closed for interminable renovations, though group tours can be arranged, phone as above. The surviving buildings include the northern tower (the Constable's residence), the chapel, and the southern gatehouse. The courtyard is open to visit and is often used for events, and the castle as a film / TV location. Free. (updated May 2019)
  • 2 [formerly dead link]St. Columba’s Church, Belfry & Round Tower, Church Road. 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 c. 1300, which on fine days in summertime gives a view of four counties from the tower’s height. 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 St. Columba's Round Tower. The Sexton’s Lodge is also of architectural interest and 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. As of June 2013 the Belfry and Round Tower have been closed to the public for safety reasons. The church has also been closed for restoration and is due to reopen later in 2013. 
  • 3 St. Colmcille’s Well, Well Rd, ☏ 353 1 840-0080, ✉. 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’. Entry to the Well is by appointment only by contacting Swords Historical Society at the number above. The well chamber can be viewed from the outside. 
  • 4 Swords Museum, Carnegie Library, North St, ☏ 353 1 840 0080, ✉. M-F 14:00-16:30. Within the 1909 Carnegie Library, Swords Historical Society run a small museum and genealogy centre. Free. (updated May 2019)
  • 5 St. Colmcille’s RC Church, Chapel Lane, ☏ 353 1 840-0547. A pre-Catholic Emancipation church built in 1827 on a site donated by James Taylor of Swords House. The graveyard contains many interesting headstones, including one for Andrew Kettle, who was known as "Parnell’s Righthand Man." Free. 

Modern

  • 6 Fingal County Hall, Main St, ☏ 353 1 890-5000, ✉. 09:30-16:30 M-F. The award-winning modern Fingal County Hall by Bucholz McEvoy architects dominates the northern end of Main Street. It was built in 2000 on the site of Swords House, the home of the Norman family of Taylors of Swords. Records show the family came there in the 13th century and built a ‘Mansion House’ in 1403. Free. 

Natural

  • 7 Ward River Valley Park, Brackenstown Rd & River Valley Rd, ☏ 353 1 890-5629, fax: 353 1 890 5640, ✉. Nov-Jan: 10:00-17:00, Feb-Mar: 10:00-18:00, Apr & Oct: 10:00-19:00, May & Sep: 10:00-20:00, Jun-Aug: 10:00-21:00. 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 of interest include some 12th-century fortifications, woodland habitats, wetlands and rolling grassland. There are viewing points, picnic sites, sports pitches and tennis courts. Free. 
  • 8 [formerly dead link]Broadmeadow Estuary, Estuary Rd & Hutchinsons Strand. The Broadmeadow Estuary is a fine example of an estuarine system, providing both feeding and roosting areas for a range of wintering waterfowl. The lagoonal nature of the inner estuary is of particular value as it increases the diversity of birds which occur. The site is of high conservation importance, with an internationally important population of Brent Goose and nationally important populations of a further 12 species. Free. 
  • 9 Newbridge Demesne Regional Park, Hearse Rd, Donabate (take 33b bus from Swords), ☏ 353 1 890-5629, fax: 353 1 890-5649, ✉. Nov-Jan: 09:00-17:00, Feb-Mar: 09:00-18:00, Oct: 09:00-19:00, Apr & Sep: 09:00-20:00, May-Aug: 09:00-21:00. Newbridge Demesne covers an area of 150 ha (370 acres). The park was probably designed by the Wexford landscape gardener Charles Fritzell about 250 years ago. The parkland is a good example of an eighteenth century landscape park with perimeter woodland belts and fine vistas across lawns and wildflower meadows. Newbridge House built by the Cobbe family in the mid-1700s is open to the public and is a fine example of Georgian architecture. It is a focal point in the park and the cobbled courtyard includes a restaurant, and a range of interesting outbuildings. Other visitor attractions include Newbridge Traditional Farm where you can see old breeds of farm animals, as well as displays of machinery were part of Irish farming life in previous centuries. The Walled Garden has extensive orchards and a collection of old Irish apple varieties. Two 19th-century glasshouses have been restored and sections of the walled garden have been replanted with herbaceous borders. The Park also includes a major Children's Playground and Sports Pitches. Free. 

Do

Activities

  • 1 Balheary Shooting, Pitt Rd, Balheary, ☏ 353 1 807 8814, ✉. W-Su 10:00-20:00. This is a shooting grounds with a long tradition. Established in 1968 it has been refurbished. It now has one of the best clay target shooting facilities in Ireland with two Olympic skeet ranges, two down-the-line ranges, 10 English sporting stands, Compak sporting and a 120 ft tower - the highest in Ireland. 
  • 2 Kilronan Equestrian Centre, Kettles Lane, Cloghran, ☏ 353 1 895-7657, ✉. Kilronan Equestrian Centre is AIRE-approved and is a great place to improve your horsemanship whether you are a complete beginner, returning to the saddle after several years, or an accomplished rider. Riding lessons for all standards and ages and the centre has horses and ponies to suit all abilities. 
  • 3 Swords Sailing & Boating Club, Estuary Rd. Swords Sailing & Boating Club shares the Broadmeadow Estuary with Malahide Yacht Club, the newest addition to the Fingal sailing scene but one which has grown steadily over the years and has enjoyed competitive success at a national level among its enthusiastic members. Its dinghy fleet includes twin-hulled catamarans which are a spectacular sight when sailing at full speed. 

Golf

  • 4 Drynam Park Driving Range, Feltrim Rd, ☏ 353 1 808-4258, ✉. €10 for 50 balls, soup and sandwich. 
  • 5 Balheary Open Golf Course, Magillstown Rd, Balheary, ☏ 353 1 840-1370, ✉. Balheary is a unique concept in courses: it has all the features of a full-length track, but on a shortened length. It offers a round playing time of 2½ hours. This is an 18-hole course of 2,195 yd. €8. 
  • 6 Corrstown Golf Club, Corrstown Lane, Kilsallaghan, ☏ 353 1 864-0533, ✉. 08:00-22:00 M-Su. Corrstown Golf Club is a 27-hole course that is 5 km from Dublin Airport. Its championship layout of river and meadow courses, along with its 9-hole Orchard course, guarantee a truly great golfing experience. 
  • 7 Forrest Little Golf Club, Forest Rd, Cloghran, ☏ 353 1 840-1763, ✉. Daily 07:30-20:00. Forrest Little Golf Club is a mature parkland course. The Fred Hawtree-designed course has undergone major developments, including the replacement of all greens with sand-based surfaces to USGA specification and new drainage, which facilitates year-round play. 
  • 8 Roganstown Golf and Country Club, Naul Rd, Roganstown, ☏ 353 1 843-3118, ✉. Daily 07:00-23:00. Set amongst 300 acres, Roganstown Golf & Country Club is a destination for relaxation, fine food and exceptional golf. With a course designed by Christy O'Connor Jnr, this sanctuary for golf lovers has blended an exciting challenge and pure pleasure into a layout of outstanding beauty. The Broadmeadow River flows beside the course and water comes into play on all but six holes. From the first drive to the last putt, the course is designed for the players' maximum enjoyment. €40-€55. 
  • 9 St Margaret's Golf and Country Club, Main Rd, St Margarets, ☏ 353 1 864-0400, ✉. Daily 07:00-22:00. This challenging parkland layout has hosted many tournaments, including the Irish PGA Championship, Irish Senior's Open and the Ladies Irish Open. €25-35. 
  • 10 Swords Open Golf Course, Balheary Avenue, ☏ 353 1 840-9819, ✉. Daily 07:00-20:00. Swords Open Golf Course is run by a keen golfing family who take pride in their facility. They ensure players of all abilities have a fantastic golf experience. This course is maintained to a very high standard and has superb drainage. Situated along the banks of the Broadmeadow River, Swords Open Golf Course is a must. A wide variety of trees and bunkers come into play on every hole. Some consideration must be given to your shot on our river and lake holes. €14-25. 

Events

  • St Patrick's Day is on 17 March, whenever that falls in the week. The Swords parade starts at noon, heading down Dublin Road, Main St and North St. It's followed in the afternoon by Irish dancing, events at the Castle and a Fun Fair.
  • 11 National Show Centre is in Cloghran, off R132 between Swords and the airport. Frequent events, usually open to the public, eg the Irish Kennel Club hold a dog show here most weeks.
  • 12 County Flower Show, St Colmcille’s GAA, Glen Ellen Road, Swords, ☏ 353 86 334 3680, ✉. Early Aug. Flower shows are held on summer weekends across County Dublin, with the Fingal event in early August. The next is on Mon 2 Aug 2021. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 13 Flavours of Fingal, Newbridge House and Farm, Hearse Rd, Donabate, ☏ 353 1 840 0077, fax: 353 1 840 4988, ✉. Last weekend in June. Fingal's County Agricultural Show (livestock and sheep, equestrian events, other agricultural displays, and horticulture) combined with a Food & Drink Fair. Plus music and various family entertainments. The next event is 27-28 June 2021. (updated Aug 2020)

Buy

  • 1 Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre, Malahide Rd, ☏ 353 1 890-4580, ✉. Swords Pavilions is a large modern shopping centre adjacent to the Main Street. The centre has over 100 units, including 16 restaurants/cafes and an 11 screen cinema. The largest shops are Dunnes Stores, Superquinn, TK Maxx, Zara, H&M and River Island. A major expansion is planned, which would increase the centre to over 250 units. 
  • 2 Swords Central Shopping Centre, Dublin Rd. Swords Central a modern shopping centre adjoining the Main Street. The centre is directly connected to Swords Pavilions and shoppers can freely walk between the two centres. Swords Central has 15 units, including Penney's and Swords Post Office. 
  • 3 Airside Retail Park, Lakeshore Drive. Airside Retail park is a large out of town retail park with 15 large warehouse retail units. Across the road, Airside Motor Park contains 10 car showrooms. 

Eat

  • Butlers Chocolate Café, Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre, Malahide Rd, ☏ 353 1 807 4020, ✉. Daily 08:00-19:00. Coffee, cake, chocolate and light bites, whenever you're ready for a sit-down in the shopping centre. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 1 Wine House Restaurant (formerly Dowler's), 18 Main St, ☏ 353 1 813 7876. Daily 12:00-22:00. Mediterranean food. (updated May 2019)
  • 2 Eddie Rocket's, Main St, ☏ 353 1 840 5969. Daily 12:00-22:00. US retro-style chain diner: burgers, wings and similar fare. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 3 Gourmet Food Parlour, Unit 2 St Fintans, North St, ☏ 353 1 897 1496, ✉. M Tu 09:00-17:00, Su W 09:00-20:00, Th-Sa 09:00-21:00. Bright modern restaurant with Med-style meals. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 4 The Italian Kitchen, Stockhole Lane, Swords, Clonshaugh (off M1 / M50 junction, take R139). M-Sa 17:30-22:00, Su 16:30-21:30. Italian restaurant near Dublin Airport. €13-28. (updated May 2019)
  • McLoughlins Restaurant is within Rogantown Hotel, see "sleep". It's open daily 18:00-21:45.
  • 5 Old Schoolhouse, Church Rd, Swords K67 Y935, ☏ 353 1 840 2846, ✉. M-Th 10:30-23:30, F Sa 10:30-00:30, Su 12:30-23:00. Locally-sourced steak, game and seafood are specialties. Limited menu but great quality and service, sometimes has live music. The bar has TV sports and there's a beer garden. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 6 d'Chilli Shaker, 32-36 Main St, ☏ 353 1 840 9080, fax: 353 1 840 9081, ✉. M-Sa 12:00-14:30, 17:00-23:00; Su 13:00-23:00. Indian restaurant gets consistently good reviews for cuisine and service. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 7 Indie Spice, Burgundy House, Forster Way, ☏ 353 1 807 7999, fax: 353 1 807 7535. Daily 17:00-22:30. Good Indian restaurant, all the classics and vegetarian choice, though limited options for vegans. (updated Aug 2020)

Drink

Bars

  • 1 The Cock Tavern, 31 Main St, ☏ 353 1 840-5366, ✉. M-Th 11:30-23:30, F-Su 11:30-00:30. It's been a pub since the 18th century. Done out in old-world style with Liscannor slated floors, old oak and pine beams fused together with brick and granite walls and warm wooden floors. And good beer, food an atmosphere as well. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 2 The Estuary, North St, ☏ 353 1 840 7499. Daily 10:30-00:30. Friendly traditional pub, often has live music. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 3 The Old Borough, 72 Main St, ☏ 353 1 895-7445, ✉. Daily 07:00-23:30. Designed by Francis Johnston of GPO fame, the Old Borough School was open 1809 to 2000; it's now a JD Wetherspoon. (updated May 2019)
  • 4 The Pound, Bridge St, ☏ 353 1 840 2223. Su 12:00-23:00, M Th-Sa 10:30-23:30, Tu W 13:00-23:30. This pub has great atmosphere with food served all day and live music Saturday nights. The original Pound was the adjacent land where stray animals were held. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 5 The Coachman's Inn, Swords Rd, Cloghran (half a mile north of airport). Daily 09:00-00:30. Bar and grill, good Sunday carvery. (updated May 2019)

Clubs

  • Rouge Nightclub is within Carnegie Court Hotel, see "Sleep", but the guests won't.
  • 6 Wrights Cafe Bar, The Plaza, Malahide Rd, ☏ 353 1 840 6744, ✉. Tu-Su 12:00-02:30, M 12:00-23:30. The upper level lounge, with dramatic red and cream furniture, dark wood tables and chandeliers, gives a distinctive ‘bordello’ effect. Behind the bar, there’s a secluded lounge that overlooks an open-plan area below, complete with a stage for dancing to live music. (updated Aug 2020)

Sleep

See under Dublin for accommodation and other amenities close to the airport, ie so close that you'd travel that way to reach them even if you weren't flying.

Camping

Swords is not well-served for visitors who wish to camp in designated sites. Caravan and camping space is available but is limited. Visitors planning to camp can get more information from Fingal Tourism, Main Street, 353 1 840 0077.

Budget

  • 1 Forty Four Hotel (formerly Hawthorn Hotel), 44 Main St, Swords, ☏ 353 1 840 1308, ✉. Pleasant hotel with 14 rooms in Swords village centre. Public bar is open daily 09:00-23:30, food served to 21:00. Double (room only) €75. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 2 Travelodge Swords, Pinnock Hill Roundabout, Swords, ☏ 353 1 807 9400, fax: 353 1 840 9235, ✉. Reliable budget chain with comfy rooms, 500 m south of Swords Main Street. Parking €5 / night during stay, no long-stay parking. It's on bus route 41 to airport and central Dublin. B&B double €90. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 3 Premier Inn Dublin Airport, Lakeshore Drive, Airside Retail Park, Swords E4A6, ☏ 353 1 895 7777, fax: 353 1 895 7700, ✉. Reliable comfy budget chain. It's called "Dublin Airport" but is closer to Swords, about 1 km south of town centre. Free parking during stay, but no long-stay parking. A shuttle bus runs every 30 min between hotel and airport Zone 16 in centre concourse between T1 and T2, adult €2. Double (room only) €45, breakfast €10 pp. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 4 San Augustine B&B, 21A Rathbeale Rd, Swords K67 ET02 (On Bus route 41 to airport and Dublin), ☏ 353 1 840 8729, ✉. Pleasant B&B in detached, modern town house. Five minutes walk to Swords. B&B double €80. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 5 Evergreen B&B, 13 Balheary Ave, Swords, ☏ 353 1 840 3886, ✉. Friendly well-run B&B 3 km north of Swords. B&B double €75. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 6 Rathview House, 3 Rathbeale Court, Swords K67 PP98, ☏ 353 1 840 4443, ✉. Clean welcoming B&B in a detached Georgian town house. It's in a quiet leafy cul de sac 500 m west of Swords main street, and on the 41 bus route to airport and Dublin. Closed through summer 2020. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 7 Seamount House, 18 Seamount View, Malahide Rd, Swords, ☏ 353 1 840 5933, ✉. Comfortable and friendly B&B in quiet cul de sac on the eastern edge of Swords, 1 km from town centre. No credit cards. B&B double €80. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 8 Tirconaill, 2 Longlands, Malahide Rd, Swords K67 V832, ☏ 353 1 840 7962, ✉. Pleasant B&B close to centre of Swords. Free private parking at the rear of the house. B&B double €85. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 9 Highfield House, 9 Forest Rd, Swords K67 CT96, ☏ 353 1 840 7989, fax: 353 1 840 7989, ✉. Well-run B&B, clean and comfy. 100 m from Dublin Road with bus 102 and 41c to airport and Swords Express to city. Closed through summer 2020. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 10 Collinswood, 1A Rathbeale Rd, Swords K67 P8X3, ☏ 353 1 840 0966, ✉. B&B with four rooms in modern home 500 m west of town centre. On bus route to airport and Dublin. Closed through summer 2020. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 11 Ard Cill, Rath Lane, Rowlestown K67 WK46 (5 km west of Swords), ☏ 353 1 840 5172, fax: 353 1 845 1716. B&B in peaceful setting in countryside, you need a car. Local activities include horse-riding and golf. Closed through summer 2020. (updated Aug 2020)

Mid-range

  • 12 Carnegie Court Hotel, North St Swords, ☏ 353 1 840-4384, ✉. Three-star hotel on Swords Main Street, serves a lot of functions and can be noisy especially from nightclub. Courtyard Restaurant is open daily 17:30-21:00, but it's likewise geared towards large groups & events. (updated May 2019)
  • 13 Emmaus Centre, Ennis Lane, Lissenhall K67 Y274, ☏ 353 1 870 0050, fax: 353 1 840 8248, ✉. Spiritual retreat and conference centre in 10 acres of tranquil grounds with bosky paths, gardens and a river walk. It offers modern accommodation in 62 ensuite rooms, some of which are wheelchair accessible. Most guests are attending conferences or organised retreats but they can accommodate individuals. B&B single €70, double €110. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 14 Kettle's Country House Hotel, Ashbourne Rd, Lispopple (5 miles northwest of Swords on R125), ☏ 353 1 813-8511, fax: 353 1 813-8510, ✉. This three-star countryside hotel has 25 bedrooms and a range of special events facilities. With restaurant and bar food. B&B double €120. (updated May 2019)
  • 15 Harap Farm Self Catering, Harap Farm, Magillstown K67 D9N1 (5 km north of Swords on Balheary Road), ☏ 353 1 840 1285, ✉. Market-garden farm with two, three and five bedroom self catering houses, open all year. You need a car. No pets, but you can put your dog in the nearby kennels. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 16 [dead link]Abbey Glen Cottage B&B, 47 Dublin Rd, Swords K67 CT98, ☏ 353 1 813 8721, ✉. Friendly comfy B&B, adults only. South edge of town but just a five minute stroll to Swords town centre. Five minutes drive from Dublin Airport. B&B double €80. (updated Aug 2020)
  • 17 Newport Farm, Ballymadrough, Donabate, ☏ 353 1 843-5379, ✉. Approached by an avenue of lime trees, this refurbished farmhouse overlooks the Broadmeadow Estuary with its wildlife sanctuary. Closed for renovations. closed. (updated May 2019)

Splurge

  • 18 Roganstown Hotel and Country Club, Naul Rd, Roganstown (R108 five miles northwest of Swords), ☏ 353 1 843-3188, fax: 353 1 843 303, ✉. Four-star hotel and Country Club out in the rolling hills. Rooms have wifi, mini bar, laptop safe, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Facilities include restaurant, bar, full leisure centre, indoor swimming pool, 18 hole golf course, wedding and conference venues and free car parking. No public transport but shuttle bus available on request to Swords or Dublin Airport for €5. B&B double from €150. (updated May 2019)
  • Heyward Mews just across the road from the country club, is available to let for self-catering by the week, and guests have full access to the leisure facilities there. Tel 353 1 201-8400 or email [email protected].

Connect

Swords has a good mobile and 4G signal with all Irish carriers. As of Aug 2020, parts of town have 5G with Eir and Vodafone, but not Three.

Eir provide WifiHub Hotspots at 22 locations throughout Swords. The first 10 minutes is free, then you can purchase access until midnight for €1. You can pay by credit card or by SMS. Eir Broadband customers can register for free access.

Cope

  • 1 Swords Police Station (An Garda Síochána), Main St, ☏ 353 1 666-4800. 

Go next

  • The City of Dublin has attractions and amenities aplenty.
  • Nearby Malahide has an impressive castle with gardens.
  • Drogheda to the north has the prehistoric stones and tombs of Brú na Bóinne, and the site of the Battle of the Boyne.
Routes through Swords
Belfast ← Balbriggan ← N M1 motorway IE.png S → M50 motorway IE.png → Dublin
This city travel guide to Swords is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page .