Swords is the name of a suburban town located to the north of Dublin City in Ireland. Originally a seperate town it has become integrated into the city's urban sprawl and in 1994 it became the capital of Fingal County a subdivision of larger County Dublin. Swords lies within the traditional county of Dublin and is adjacent to Dublin International Airport. Swords is one of many rapidly growing outer suburbs of Dublin city along with Lucan and Blanchardstown.
Swords is an ancient settlement dating back to 560 AD. It was founded by St Colmcille (521-567). Legend has it that he blessed a local well, giving the town its name Sord meaning clear or pure.