Article by Ken Duffy
Swords Tidy Towns had a great day out at the Vintage Picnic Concert in Swords Castle. We got stuck into a delicious picnic of our own which was generously sponsored by Supervalu in the Pavillions SC. We bumped into Swords Womenshed as we have done in previous years, them ladies sure know how to dress up and party. The Swords Tidy Towners group are no shy violets either, we were up showing off our moves to all and sundry. The bad weather forecast never turned up which was a blessing for this outdoor event. Well done to Fingal County Council for putting on such a wonderful age friendly event each year, as always, you played a stormer, can’t wait for next year.
Remember Swordonians, we are always looking for new volunteers, trust me, it’s all fun. We are also looking for volunteers to help out at our Clothes Swops, Seed and Plants Swops which are held at the Rivervalley Community Centre. Contact Ken on 086-6008313
We’re excited to announce the launch of this year’s Best Presented Estates Competition.
With fantastic prizes worth €1,000 sponsored by Member First Credit Union, there’s never been a better time to get involved! We’re looking to highlight and celebrate the most outstanding estates in Swords for their hard work, care and commitment to the community. We want to hear from you. If your estate has made changes or improvements since last year - big or small - we’d love to know!
Please share with us:
Your efforts make a real difference in the community, and we can’t wait to see the progress made.
Deadline for submissions is 6th July 2025. Please send your updates to: swordstidytowns@gmail.com
Areas to be evaluated by the judges: General Tidiness and Cleanliness: litter free, clean paths and communal areas, well maintained signage, overall first impression.
Landscaping and Green Spaces: Quality of planting and maintenance, creativity in green spaces.
Biodiversity Enhancements: Presence of features – bug hotels, wildflower areas & re-wilding efforts, pollinator planting, trees.
Winners announced at the Fingal Horticultural Annual Show at St Colmcille’s GFC on 4 August 2025
There were two events over the last month to celebrate Swords Tidy Towns Gold Medal win and to recognise the enormity of us achieving it.
The first celebration event was hosted by the Old Schoolhouse in the Whiskey Room where food was provided free of charge for which we are very grateful. A thank you must go to Willie and his hard-working team for looking after us on the night. It was a very special evening spent with fellow volunteers who share the same community passion and love of Swords.
The second celebratory event was a Civic Reception with our local Councillors, the Mayor and the CEO of Fingal County Council. We were first seated in the main council chambers where the business of Fingal takes place. The Mayor gave a very complimentary speech as did our local councillors and our Chairperson. Afterwards we adjourned to the Atrium where we were treated to a sandwiches, wraps, cakes, coffee and tea provided by The Gourmet Food Parlour where we mingled.
A big thank you to Ann Marie Farrelly CEO who chatted with our members listening intently to their wants and needs for retaining the Gold Medal in 2025. Those in attendance were in complete agreement of the prestige that Swords has now being a national Gold Medal winner.
A special mention must go to our invited sponsors for their unwavering support over many years, we would not be gold medal winners today if wasn’t for their generosity.
By Mike Power
With longer days and (hopefully) sunnier skies, this time of the year is ideal for giving you and your family the ‘walking habit’. Beginning walkers prefer to have definite starting and ending points, while making the walk a ‘heritage hunt’ gives the kids something to collect and examine later. They can collect ‘magic’ stones to examine at home. Walking and exploring is healthy, interesting and ‘bonds’ a family together.
he whole Swords area is rich in interesting heritage walks. I’ve chosen these particular strolls both for their enjoyment, and to safely avoid the ever-present danger of the traffic that swirls everywhere around our village nowadays.
Walk 1. The Ward Heritage Park Walk
Most Swords folk are familiar with the ‘Jacko’ but have you ever continued your walk past the children’s playground and into the park ahead? If you do, you will be rewarded by the discovery of an area full of interest for all family members to explore, especially your dog !
This fabulous but little-known park lies to the west of Swords. If driving there, Park at the Brackenstown roundabout down from the Manor. The entrance to this park lies on your right, past some iron railings and down the hill to begin your walk. Continue to explore the area, walking around a pond which locals call ‘Ushers’ but which was actually dug out by a local nobleman Viscount Robert Molesworth in the 1710s.
You can do short, (3/4 hr) medium, (1 hr), and long ( 2hr) walks in this park.
Walk 2: The Brackenstown Road/Swords Village Heritage Walk
Again, drive to the Brackenstown roundabout, park and walk straight ahead. This small track was the original road into Swords! Emerge onto the Brackenstown road proper and walk ahead until you see on your right a set of wooden stairs leading back down to the park. The kids will love this! Descend into the ‘Jacko’ and walk back along the path to your right. Let the kids play in the playground, before ascending the path opposite. When up this path, walk ahead to your left to rejoin your car at the Brackenstown roundabout.
Happy Walking!
Look out for Mike’s book on Swords: Swords History and Mysteries. A Community Guide, to be published in August.
St Colmcille’s will host their annual GAA Summer camp the week of 22-25th July.
Fun and laughter will be at the heart of this year’s Summer Camp. We have a schedule that will keep your kids entertained to the max! Join us for Gaelic Football Summer Camp – the ultimate experience for young athletes eager to learn, grow, and play the fast-paced game of Gaelic football! Whether you’re a beginner or have played before, our camp is designed to improve skills, foster teamwork, and most importantly, have a blast!
Children will experience
Expert Coaching by certified coaches with years of experience in Gaelic Football
Skill Development sessions: Master the fundamentals or elevate your game to the next level!
Team Building Activities: Meet new friends and create lasting memories while working as a team
Fun & Fitness: Improve fitness levels through drills, friendly competition, and games
Spaces are limited! Register online at https://colmcillesgfc.clubforce.com/pages/summer-camp-2025 or text 0876819540 for more information.
By Mike Power
With longer days and (hopefully) sunnier skies, this time of the year is ideal for giving you and your family the ‘walking habit’. Beginning walkers prefer to have definite starting and ending points, while making the walk a ‘heritage hunt’ gives the kids something to collect and examine later. They can collect ‘magic’ stones to examine at home. Walking and exploring is healthy, interesting and ‘bonds’ a family together. The whole Swords area is rich in interesting heritage walks. I’ve chosen these particular strolls both for their enjoyment, and to safely avoid the ever-present danger of the traffic that swirls everywhere around our village nowadays.
Walk 1. The Ward Heritage Park Walk
Most Swords folk are familiar with the ‘Jacko’ but have you ever continued your walk past the children’s playground and into the park ahead? If you do, you will be rewarded by the discovery of an area full of interest for all family members to explore, especially your dog !
This fabulous but little-known park lies to the west of Swords. If driving there, Park at the Brackenstown roundabout down from the Manor. The entrance to this park lies on your right, past some iron railings and down the hill to begin your walk. Continue to explore the area, walking around a pond which locals call ‘Ushers’ but which was actually dug out by a local nobleman Viscount Robert Molesworth in the 1710s.
You can do short, (3/4 hr) medium, (1 hr), and long ( 2hr) walks in this park. Further information at:
Walk 2: The Brackenstown Road/Swords Village Heritage Walk
Again, drive to the Brackenstown roundabout, park and walk straight ahead. This small track was the original road into Swords! Emerge onto the Brackenstown road proper and walk ahead until you see on your right a set of wooden stairs leading back down to the park. The kids will love this! Descend into the ‘Jacko’ and walk back along the path to your right. Let the kids play in the playground, before ascending the path opposite. When up this path, walk ahead to your left to rejoin your car at the Brackenstown roundabout.
Happy Walking!
Look out for Mike’s book on Swords: Swords History and Mysteries. A Community Guide, to be published in August.
Introduction: Are you looking to try something new, exciting, and full of energy? Whether you’re an experienced athlete or new to sports altogether, Gaelic football offers a fun and inclusive way to stay active, make friends, and become part of a vibrant community. We’re welcoming new players, and we’d love for you to join us!
Why You Should Join
Inclusive for All Skill Levels: Whether you’ve never played before or you’re already a seasoned player, Gaelic football is all about learning and growing together.
Get Fit and Have Fun: The sport offers an excellent full-body workout while keeping things fun and engaging.
Meet New People: Join a welcoming and supportive group where making new friends is as easy as kicking a ball.
A Unique Sporting Experience: Experience the rich history and culture of Gaelic football, a game that’s been played for generations.
What You’ll Experience
Training & Coaching: Our dedicated coaches will help you develop your skills in a positive, supportive environment.
Game Day: There’s nothing quite like the thrill of playing a match, whether you’re on the field or cheering from the sidelines.
Team Spirit: From training sessions to social events, you’ll become part of a team that values friendship and mutual respect.
Getting involved is simple! Just Call Marian 0876819540 for more information. No previous experience required—just bring your enthusiasm, and we’ll help you from there!
So, are you ready to get started? We’re excited to welcome you to our Gaelic football family. No matter your experience level, there’s a place for you here. Come see what the buzz is all about, and let’s kick off this exciting adventure together!
Also, this year marks our 90th year as a club. There are lot of special events and commemorative activities planned. Please keep an eye on our social media platforms to follow all updates.
By Ken Duffy
Swords Tidy Towns members Georgy Hughes, Rose Brennan and Matt Cullen recently accepted their National Gold Medal and our Highly Commended EPA Circular Economy Award at the Awards Ceremony in Athlone.
This Gold Medal is a well-deserved recognition of the hard work put in by so many volunteers over the past 20 years. Each volunteer has played their part in achieving this gold medal, they have all done the town of Swords proud.
Fingal County Council our local Representatives and business played their part also on this journey and for that we are very grateful, long may this partnership continue.
Swords Mens Shed Media Hub is providing a platform for local hidden talent.
Performers - the Swords Mens Shed are looking for readers of their short stories and actors for their upcoming Radio Dramas for debut Podcast and YouTube platforms.
Writers - It you have a short story, a drama script or poem that you would like performed why not make contact with me. Email: jimhawkins@eircom.net Phone : 086-0262780
Celebrating Tradition, Friendship and Generous Support. Centrally located on the Swords Road, within sight of Dublin Airport, Sportslink Bowls Club stands as a beacon of camaraderie and friendly competitiveness. With 25 years of history behind us, our club has grown to become a cherished gathering place for enthusiasts of all skill levels.
The club is thrilled to announce that they have recently received generous funding from Fingal County Council, a gesture that has invigorated our club. This support has enabled us to purchase new equipment, including special equipment for our older and less vigorous members, who are a hugely important part of our club. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Fingal County Council for their invaluable contribution which ensures that our club will thrive for many years to come.
The club story begins 25 years ago, when a group of bowlers just gathered on the Sportslink bowls green, united by their shared love of bowls. Over the years, we have expanded our membership, with limited facilities, to become the thriving friendly club that we are today.
The Bowls Club is more than just a sports facility.It is a vibrant social centre, where lifelong friendships are forged. We take part in league, cup, championship and practice sessions, with social events that bring together families and friends. Our club prides itself on its inclusive atmosphere, encouraging everyone to take part, regardless of age, ability or disability.
Whether you are a seasoned bowler, or a curious newcomer, we invite you to join our Bowls Club. Come and experience the joy of the game, the warmth of our community, and the beauty of our surroundings. Together we can continue to build on our proud history, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.
