Swords Castle – 800 Years and 2 Miles from the Airport Located in the centre of the ancient town Swords Castle contains over 800 years of history and, as a recent surprising discovery of burials beneath the gatehouse shows, it has yet to give up all of its secrets.

The castle was built by the Archbishop of Dublin, John Comyn, around 1200, as a residence and administrative centre. The extensive complex of buildings is in the form of a rough pentagon of 0.5 hectares and is enclosed by a perimeter wall of 260 meters. It is a National Monument, and it is the best surviving example of an Archbishop’s Palace in Ireland. The curtain walls enclose over an acre of land that slopes down to the Ward River. This complex of buildings is made up of many phases of reuse and redesign reflecting its long history and changing fortunes. Swords Castle & Grounds is open to visitors all year round & tours are available on request. Opening Times: October – February: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am - 4pm (closed Monday) March – September: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am – 5pm (closed Monday) Admission is Free