Tourist Attractions
Swords is the Administrative Capital of Fingal which is the name given to the Northern Part of Dublin City and County. Fingal is a historic region with old world and rural charm, located only minutes from the heart of Dublin City and home of Dublin International Airport. The region takes its name from the Irish "Fine Gall" meaning "fair-haired foreigner".
Fingal boasts beautiful beaches, modern marinas, a multitude of water sport activities, equestrian centres, and walking and cycling routes. The region is the most golf populated area in Ireland, with some 28 top quality golf courses. Great Houses, Gardens and historic sites are dotted around the county and Fingal has day visitor attractions to rival any destination.
The towns and villages of Fingal offer fine restaurants, friendly pubs, lively entertainment and, most importantly, a warm welcome. Come and enjoy this unique county that offers the best of both worlds - the charm of the country and the convenience of a great city nearby.
Swords Castle is a complex collection of mediaeval buildings built between the 12th and 14th centuries as a fortified palace for the Archbishops of Dublin.
Swords Round Tower, located in the grounds of the Church of Ireland in Swords, is all that remains of an early Christian foundation.
The 6th century Lusk Round Tower and its attached tower house is of 16th Century origin and contains the Lusk Heritage Centre and an exhibition of Fingal's medieval churches.
Howth Castle, built in 1464, is not open to the public, but its rhododendron gardens are a 'must see'. The magnificent views present aspects over Dublin Bay to the South and the Mourne Mountains to the North.
Fingal has twelve Martello Towers which were built as coastal defences during Napoleonic times.
Baldongan Castle and Church, Skerries The castle is a 13th Century Anglo Norman fortress ruin and the church dates from the 15th Century.
Dunsoghly Castle, north of Finglas, boasts the last original 15th century roof to survive in the country.
St. Doulagh's Church, Kinsealy, occupies the site of a 7th century monastic settlement founded by St. Doulagh.
Boasting some of the finest houses and gardens in Ireland, Fingal combines history and beauty to delight the eye and stimulate the imagination.
Ardgillan Castle & Demesne, near Balbriggan, was built in 1737. Now beautiful restored and furnished in Victorian style, the principal rooms, kitchens and the Down Survey Exhibition (a series of survey maps from 1654) are open to the public. The park commands views of the coast and contains a rose garden, a walled herb garden and Victorian conservatory.
Malahide Castle & Demesne was built in the 12th Century by the Talbot family, who remained in residence until 1975. There are many period rooms on view and the castle contains the National Portrait Collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. The Fry Model Railway Museum, in the castle gardens, houses a unique collection of hand-made models of Irish trains.
The courtyard accommodates craft workshops and Tara's Palace, a spectacular display of dolls, antique toys and doll's houses. The 109ha park encompasses pleasant walks, play and picnic areas, a cricket pitch, tennis courts, 9-hole golf course and a pitch and putt course. Also within Malahide Demesne lie the Talbot Botanic Gardens, home to over 5,000 different species of plants.
Newbridge house & Demesne, Donabate. was built in 1736 for Archbishop Cobbe. Original furniture, paintings and objets d'art are a feature of this gracious Georgian house. The extensive 150h demesne includes a walled garden, a wildlife and Deer Park, playing and walking areas and a 19th Century working farm, where animals, machinery and old farming techniques are on view.
Things to do
Angling:
"Flúirse Talaimh is Mara" meaning "Rich in land and sea" is the motto of Fingal County Council, and the wealth of sea angling and fresh water angling available in Fingal confirms this. The Dublin Bay Coastal Strip from Howth to Balbriggan affords the sea angler a unique and stimulating variety of angling locations. Shore fishing is popular from Rogerstown to Sutton, while Howth Harbour is ideal for both rock and sea angling. Fresh Water angling in Fingal is mainly concentrated along the Liffey and Tolka Rivers for sea and brown trout, while the Royal Canal at Ashtown, Dublin 15 is a good coarse fishing spot. Information on licences and the best locations can be obtained by contacting the Eastern Regional Fisheries Board.
Equestrian:
Fingal is an ideal destination for the horse lover and offers riding holidays catering for every ability including hacking, trekking, hunting, schooling and basic instruction. Whether it is for a full equestrian holiday or just a short trek Fingal has it.
Watersports:
The Dublin Bay Coastal Strip of Fingal has grown in popularity for the water sport enthusiast as it offers sailing, diving, and windsurfing.
Golfing:
The picturesque open countryside and magnificent coastline of Fingal are ideal environments against which to fashion great golf courses. Fingal is arguably the golfing capital of Ireland offering the golfer everything from superb parkland courses to excellent links courses.
There are 25 golf courses in total, many of which are of championship standard, some have already hosted major tournaments. Both novice and experienced golfers will find a course to suit their ability, taste and pocket. A number of 9-hole courses, driving ranges and pitch and putt courses complement this feast of superb golfing challenges.
Public Golf courses include fine parkland courses at Elmgreen Golf Centre, Castleknock and Sillogue Golf Course, Ballymun, as well as a fine links course at Corballis, near Donabate.
Restaurants and Pubs
The motto of Fingal is "Flúirse Talaimh is Mara" - 'Rich in land and Sea' and so it is. Having within Fingal two of Ireland's most important fishing ports, their daily landings of seafood inspire our chefs to produce modern creative dishes. Fingal also has the "Garden of Dublin" with the richness of the soil producing superb vegetables to compliment the meals in the many Fingal restaurants.
A wide choice of restaurants and pubs await you. Restaurants range from haute cuisine and the celebrated five chefs of Fingal to sandwich bars and cafés, all offering quality food.
Fingal is a Mecca for night life, entertainment and craic. At night the towns and villages come alive with friendly pubs, lively music and most importantly a warm welcome. There is something for everyone whether you prefer to sit back in comfortable and friendly surroundings and listen to live traditional music and dancing, or to take part in a karaoke session before heading off to one of many nightclubs or disco bars.