The east side of Swords castle was the earliest part built; the original castle having had a much smaller footprint than the area enclosed by the extensive pentagon curtain wall we see there today. The venerable east tower shown here would have tottered to ground long ago, but for the modern steel supports buttressing it.

These six young boys are long passed away now, being 104 years in modern year! In time no doubt, they became the beloved fathers and grandfathers of many Swords families. We recall them fondly as they lived stringent lives then in a much poorer Swords. Wearing their trademark short pants, jumpers and sporting impish expressions, they posed for the camera outside cluttered gerry-built structures, a ‘privvie’ (outside toilet) leaning against the castle to their left.

The modern picture shows the same site cleared of it’s buildings, the tower whitewashed (as it would have been) and defining the original c.1200 line of the castle. The holes we see in it are putlogs, holes for supporting scaffolding. Sitting well back from north street, the area between would have been a murder zone, specifically cleared to provide scant cover for attacking enemies.

For more information, or to speak to Mike about local Swords heritage he can be contacted via email: mp9211198@gmail.com