By Ken Duffy

Swords Tidy Towns have been consulting over the last few months with various companies that manage commercial properties in the town.

The Castle Shopping Centre has undergone a long overdue facelift and is looking so much better for it. Swords based Paul Reddy Property Team worked closely with Swords Tidy Towns during the whole facelift process, this is community teamwork at its best.

Joe Callan Town Mall also worked closely with us. He replaced all the damaged barrel planters and provided the new plants for all the planters. Again excellent community teamwork.

We have been working closely with Cllr Darren Kelly who has communicated on our behalf with the new management company who are to take over shortly at Forest Mews on the Forest Road. This area has been a constant eyesore for a long period and a bone of contention for us, as it was always the Swords Tidy Towns volunteers who cleaned up the mess. The whole area is in need of a major facelift. Soundings from the new management company appear to be in favour of this happening. Yet another great example of community teamwork.

Ian Hunter manager of the Pavilions Shopping Centre has had a close relationship with Swords Tidy Towns for a number of years. As a passerby or shopper, you will be aware of the major improvement works being carried out around the front area of the shopping centre, this will also include creative works on the Pavillion roundabout. Swords Tidy Towns prior to the start of works had been liaising with Ian Hunter who kept us up to date on the type of works and a proposed start date. Swords Tidy Towns are excited about this project and can’t wait to see the finished works, we believe it will enhance the area enormously. Once again it is worth reiterating how important community spirit and teamwork is between business and local voluntary organisations, when we work together, we can move mountains.

Swords Tidy Towns are always looking for new members, just show up on a Saturday morning, we meet in the car park of Cove & Co previously Colourtrend opposite the Garda Station at 10am. Hope to see you there, check out our Facebook page.

The Ward River has powered many water-mills in its time, the volume and flow of the river having been historically much stronger than we see in it today. Before the age of steam, wind and waterpower were the only sources of energy available. In 1847 there were 3 mills working from the Ward. This particular one operated well into the 1940s, many of our older residents remembering it’s nostalgic resonant grumbling and grinding sounds!

The bridge itself dates from 1875 and is made of cut limestone with very distinctive ‘saddleback’ coping. Next time you are down this way, look down into the river to see a string marking the historic levels of water here. Down on the left at riverside you will also see the typical entry-piers I’ve cleaned, placed here to allow access to the river for washing clothes or drawing water. These piers appear all along the Ward to allow safe access to a once powerful and dangerous stream.

Swords Toastmasters is a club that helps people develop their public speaking, listening, and leadership skills, in a fun and supportive environment. Members join for a variety of reasons. Some, to progress their careers, to perform better at interviews, to practice for workplace presentations, or even for that all important wedding speech.

“I would recommend Toastmasters to everyone, you meet like-minded people from all walks of life who are interested in personal development, communication and leadership skills.”
says Seamus Hynes, member of Swords Toastmasters.

A typical meeting consists of prepared speeches, Table Topics™ (impromptu speeches) and evaluations.
The club is now inviting new members to join their group. Get in touch today for an obligation free visit and take the first step towards finding your voice and changing your life!

Swords Toastmasters; Date: Every 2nd Monday Location: Old Borough School, Church Road, Swords, Co. Dublin, K67 Y179. Time: 8p.m. – 10p.m.

For more information, email swordstm@gmail.com or contact the membership officer on 086 8538048.

About District 71

District 71 comprises more than 200 corporate and community clubs in Ireland, Scotland, Northern Wales, Northern England, Midlands, and East of England. To learn more about District 71 please visit: Toastmasters UK North & Ireland – District 71

About Toastmasters International
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills through a worldwide network of clubs that meet online and in person. In a supportive community or corporate environment, members prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions, and give and receive constructive feedback. It is through this regular practice that members are empowered to meet personal and professional communication goals. Founded in 1924, the organization is headquartered in Englewood, Colorado, with over 265,000 members in more than 13,800 clubs in nearly 150 countries. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit toastmasters.org.

Swords resident Zdzislaw Pretki was thrilled when Fingal County Council installed some benches in Ridgewood Green recently. The greatly aid the 79-year-old who goes for regular walks there.

He said, “I would like to thank you very much Fingal County Council for their kind consideration of my request to install benches on Ridgewood Green. I am a Polish resident, I am almost 80 years old, and I often walk around Ridgewood.

I often see local people who, like me, would like to sit on a bench and rest for a while.

The appearance of the benches is a nice addition to the green square.

For the prompt and favourable consideration of my request on behalf of myself in the local community. Thank you, very much for all those who made the decision and performed the above - mentioned installation.”

Swords resident Zdzislaw Pretki was thrilled when Fingal County Council installed some benches in Ridgewood Green recently. The greatly aid the 79-year-old who goes for regular walks there.

I often see local people who, like me, would like to sit on a bench and rest for a while.

The appearance of the benches is a nice addition to the green square.

By Ken Duffy

July was a very busy month for our Swords Tidy Towns team of volunteers. We held the awards presentation for our Best Presented Estates competition and our Best Business Fronts competition.

Swords Tidy Towns Best Presented Estates awards 2025: 1st prize Rivervalley 500 euro; 2nd prize Seatown Terrace 300 euro; 3rd prize Carlton Court 200 euro. Most Improved Estate award: Lissenhall 50 euro; Best upcycled feature awarded to The Nurseries 50 euro

Wonderful community efforts evident all around Swords. Well done one and all. A special thank you must go to the Best Presented Estate committee and judges George Mongey, Mary Maxwell, Matt Cullen, Micheal Connolly and Martin Nulty of Nulty Landscapping chaired by Grace Dunne, fantastic work you guys. The generous prizes awarded would not be possible without the continued sponsorship of Members First Credit Union for which we are very grateful. Finally, not forgetting the tremendous support we receive from John Halford and his Fingal Horticultural Society team who put on a fantastic show each year, can’t wait for next year’s competition. We look forward to visiting your Estate in 2026.

This year’s winners of the Swords Tidy Towns Best Business fronts were as follows.

The Old Schoolhouse – Gold; McNamaras Chemist Dublin rd. – Silver. The Pound Bar - bronze.

Vincents Charity Shop. Castle shopping Centre. - most improved.

Well done to all our winners and to our Swords Tidy Towns volunteers Georgy Hughes and Matt Cullen for putting in the footwork.

After all that hard work it was time to let our hair down and there is no better bunch of people to do that than the Swords Tidy Towns team. A fabulous night was had by one and all at the Nathan Carter gig in Swords Castle. A massive thank you to Paul Barnes and his wonderful team at Fingal County Council for putting it all together, you did Swords proud. We dropped off at the 44 for a tipple after the concert and bumped into the Boomtown Rats who happened to be staying there, all in all, a very enjoyable night.

It seems there’s something in the Dublin mix this year as three local bakers have risen to the challenge and secured their places in the semi-finals of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition.

Helen Walker from Swords will be among the eight talented contestants competing at the National Ploughing Championships semi-finals in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on September 16th and 17th. The top four will go forward to the final on September 18th.

Speaking on the achievement, Helen said, “It’s my first time entering the National Brown Bread Baking competition and I’m delighted to be representing the Dublin ICA. I’m also absolutely petrified but bring it on!”.

The champion will take home €5,000 in cash and a NEFF Slide & Hide oven. Three finalists on the 18th will win €500 Euronics gift cards, while all other finalists will receive a €250 Euronics gift card and a Neff hamper.

Supported by Euronics in association with the National Ploughing Association and the Irish Country Women’s Association, the competition is set to be a feast for the senses with the Dublin bakers hoping to be crowned with the finest loaf.

The following is an extract from Mike Power’s forthcoming book - Swords: History and Mysteries… A Community Guide

Despite being situated solidly within the ‘Pale’(‘Pallium’ latin=A Fence) the spirit of Irish nationalism was never quite extinguished in Swords and Fingal…Swords folk contributed to every insurrection in Ireland, most notably in 1916, when the Fingal brigade of the Irish Volunteers led by Captain Richard Coleman of Main St. fought bravely in the engagement in the Mendacity Instit, Dublin.Swords folk can be very proud of it’s long and honourable tradition of nationalism, often carried out in the face of great opposition from the authorities. Fingal Abu !

‘Fingal has done more than its share in Ireland’s republican cause…’

Eamonn de Valera 1940
Easter Monday 1916 in the village of Swords dawned fine and dry. The Taylor brothers Tom, Joe and Christopher left their home in Taylors’ pub, Main Street, and headed out toKnocksedan bridge, half-an-hour’s walking at their brisk military pace. While confused by Eoin Mc Neill’s letter in the Sunday Independent to stand down, they still held to Captain Richard ‘Dick’ Coleman’s order:
‘We meet at Knocksedan Bridge on Monday, Ok?’

Their new boots chafing their feet as they strolled, going up the Brackenstown Road, they met Christopher ‘Kit’ Moran.

‘Is it still on?’ he asked, the others, saying nothing, walking stolidly ahead.

Kit Moran’s Mauser rifle slapped rhythmically on his hip, ‘damn blunderbuss,’ he spoke as he walked, knowing well the horrid mess its 57 mm. rounds could make of something as fragile as the human body. Seventy men were already waiting on the bridge, most smoking and cooling their heels, their mood black, disappointed with the poor turnout.

Some peered over the parapet at the black pools of water 60 feet below, pondering what lay ahead.
Finally, Captain Richard Coleman arrived, his Sam Browne belt and brass buttons shining in the shafts of sunlight scattering on the bridge. Pointedly, taking each man in with his eyes he said: ‘Right then, a Oglaigh, this is what we did all that hard training for – this is the day!’

Dublin writer George Fitzgerald is no stranger to putting pen to paper and with firm roots in Swords, George fondly remembers his relative Ned Stafford who was an integral part of the Nationalist movement and an active participant in the 1916 Rising.

Ned Stafford from Swords, County Dublin. His mother, Brigid Stafford, described as “a lady,” was supportive of his nationalist beliefs. The Stafford parents and their nine children are buried in Swords Cemetery. Ned became involved in nationalism after hearing Thomas MacDonagh speak at a gathering in Swords. Once he had made his decision, his mother supported him, and the family was aware of the key figures involved. Ned Stafford was present at Boland’s Mills during the 1916 Rising.

Boland’s served as a crucial strategic location for the Irish Volunteers. The mill, along with other buildings in the area, became the headquarters for the 3rd Battalion, which was tasked with controlling key approaches to Dublin from Dún Laoghaire, then Kingstown, a port where British reinforcements were expected. The Volunteers engaged in fierce fighting, particularly at Mount Street Bridge, and successfully held their ground against British forces until the order to surrender was given.

Ned subsequently enlisted in the Free State Army. However Private Edward Stafford died due to tuberculosis acquired during active duty in 1926. In a letter from his mother, she expressed her pride in stating that her son fought during Easter Week under Risteard Mulcahy’s command.

Ned Stafford’s dad, Patrick, was employed as a gardener. Three of his sons enlisted in the Irish Army. George Stafford was a member of the Irish Army from 1927 until 1960. The Black and Tans, or perhaps British troops, during the War of Independence, while they were looking for Ned Stafford, who was fleeing. He was informed that the plans for Ashbourne were concealed within the house, intended to prevent the train from transporting soldiers into the city. One of his brothers was Tom Stafford, who in the 1930s lived in a tenement in Gardiner Street, Dublin, in the 1930s. He and his family later moved to Ballyfermot. His daughter, Maria, married a local man, George Fitzgerald. In 1966, the young couple got a new flat on the tenth floor of the newly developed Ballymun flats.

George Fitzgerald is the author not only of the Ashley Brown series but the 9-book audiobook series about growing up in Ballymun in the 60s and later his life in Finglas South. There were four brothers in the family: George, his twin Joseph, Pat, and Wesley. The twins were champion boxers in the 70s. And band members in the 80s and 90s with the famed D11 Runners. The audiobooks can be listened to on YouTube or Facebook.

Mike Power B.A M.A. MSc. has been living in Swords since 1990. A trained psychologist, Mike has lectured and written extensively in the fields of youth mental health and history. Mike’s trips to Gormanston College in the mid-1960s introduced the village of Swords to him. Mike writes regular history columns for various publications. Married with six grandchildren, his strange idea of ‘fun’ is wandering around his beloved Ward Valley Park, Swords, uncovering the wonderful story of those who once lived and worked there.

Swords – History and Mysteries - A Community Guide tells you about how a ‘newbie’ like me got bitten by the heritage bug. It also tells about how I go about doing my heritage work. Swords and Fingal are both historic areas full of interesting heritage and history areas for you and your family to explore and enjoy.

Part 1. Swords. – Strands from an Ancient Tapestry: This part sketches in the heritage background of Swords, an area so rich in history. Here, you will discover the places and people who made Swords into the village we see today.

Part 2. The Mysterious Heritage Hubs of Swords: This part examines six particular newly discovered Heritage Hubs in Swords. These hubs are examples of recently discovered local historical sites, that contain concentrated heritage from Swords’s past.

Part 3. Swords’s Story Reimagined in Twelve Historical Stories: This section recounts the story of Swords in 12 historical stories. In each one, we see these specific eras of the past through the eyes of an actual person who lived back at thisat time in history.

Part 4. Reprise and Renaissance: This part summarises the history of Swords and points a way forward for the future of Swords and its people.

For more information and where to purchase the book, Mike can be contacted at: mp9211198@gmail.com.