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Swords, Co. Dublin

Swords (Sord Cholm Cille in Irish) is a medium-sized suburban town to the north of the city of Dublin. The town can trace its origins dating back to 560, having been 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". However, An Sord also means "the water source" and could indicate a large communal drinking well that existed in antiquity.

Swords has a wide range of shops, banks, pubs and other businesses, including a large modern shopping centre, the Pavilions Centre, off the N1. The town now boasts the largest selection of nightclubs and pubs on the northside of Dublin outside of the city-centre.

Swords Castle is undergoing a significant redevelopment and is intended to become a centre of leisure and a tourist attraction. The body of Brian Boru was said to have been brought there after the Battle of Clontarf, though recent evidence would suggest that the destination was Swords Abbey, which lies slightly to the west of the Main Street.

Featured Establishment

Eat

Indie Spice

Swords, Co. Dublin

Restaurant

Located above a pet shop, with a narrow door leading up steep stairs to the first floo ...

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Gardens

Rathmichael Lodge

Dublin 18, Dublin City

Rathmichael Lodge is one of those gardens that wins an “oh!” of pleasure when they first burst into the field of vision. Like sex appeal it’s a quality that is hard to pin down, but whatever it is Corinne and Richard Hewat&rsquo ...

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Golf

Castleknock Golf Club

Dublin 15, Dublin City
Course Type: Parkland

Castleknock Golf Club is a recent addition to the Dublin golfing scene. It is set in a truly serene oasis and is designed to reflect the grandeur of its location as it is on lands that were part of the Somerton Demesne originally owned by Sir Geo ...

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Self Catering

The Cottages

Bettystown, Co. Meath

Traditional thatched cottages were once very typical of this part of Ireland and, although the six that make up this beach-side hamlet look so immaculate that you could be forgiven for thinking they are new, they are actually about 300 ...

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What's On

Skerries Farmers Market - Skerries Mills - County Dublin

Farmer’s Market in the historical Skerries Mills at 10.00 - 16.00. every Saturday.

Contact: Ray Hunt, Skerries Mills, Tel: 01 849 5208

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Tourist Attractions

Rathfarnham Castle

Dublin 14, Dublin City

Dating back to the Elizabethan period Rathfarnham Castle with its four flanker towers is an excellent example of the fortified house in Ireland. In the late 18th century, the house was re-modeled on a splendid scale employing some of the finest a ...

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Wedding Venues

Beaulieu House, Gardens and Car Museum

Drogheda, Co. Louth

Situated on the banks of the River Boyne, downstream from the town of Drogheda, Beaulieu was one of the first unfortified houses built in Ireland. It was built in the Dutch style between 1660 and 1666 for Sir Henry Tichbourne, of whom the present ...

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