Swords Castle, Dublin

Swords Castle was built as the manorial residence of the Archbishops of Dublin around 1200 in Swords, just north of Dublin. It was never strong militarily, but has a large pentagonal walled area of nearly 1.5 acres with a tower on the north, probably the Constable's residence, and an impressive gateway complex on the south. The adjoining chapel, built in the late thirteenth century, is likely to have been used as the Archbishop's private oratory.

Other buildings on the site, which were recorded for an inquisition in 1326, have now disappeared, including the great hall on the east side of the enclosure.

The Archbishop abandoned Swords in favour of a new palace built at Tallaght in 1324. The stepped battlements suggest that the castle was occupied sometime during the fifteenth century, but by 1583, when briefly occupied by Dutch Protestants, it was described as Swords castle was falling into disrepair.

It was used as a garden in the nineteenth century and sold after the Church of Ireland was disestablished.

The newly renovated castle was used as a film location for the production of TV series The Tudors in spring 2010.

Opening Times

Monday to Thursday: 10am to 12.00 & 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Friday: 10am to 12.00 & 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Closed on weekends

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Ticket Prices

Admission is free.

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Disabled Facilities

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More Information

Telephone: 00 353 (0) 1 8400 891
Email: parks@fingalcoco.ie

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