Swords Castle is the best surviving medieval episcopal manor in Ireland and is designated a National Monument. With a rich assembly of historic buildings of great antiquity, it is a complex site representing at least 500 years of development, redesign, alteration, re-use and adaptation.

It reflects the changing fortunes and lives of Dublin’s archbishops and later owners, and the architectural fashions of their times. The curtain walls enclose over an acre of land that slopes down to the Ward River. This complex of buildings is made up of many phases of reuse and redesign reflecting its long history and changing fortunes.

Kelly and Cogan Architects were appointed 2012 to lead a team of Archaeologists, Structural Engineers, and Garden Historians for the completion of a comprehensive and extensive analysis of the Castle Complex involving ground radar survey, archaeological analysis of the fabric and surroundings and physical condition assessment of the Monument including recommendations as to phased maintenance and conservation works, all with particular consideration to the need for public access and use of the Castle and Grounds.

Of particular importance during this study was the identification of the Chapel as having been originally constructed as an Episcopal Manorial House.

Swords Castle is a landmark and has a distinct visual and physical presence in the town of Swords. However, despite its physical presence, its historical significance and its importance in the development and the layout of Swords town, the site has lacked public legibility and has largely gone unrecognised in the consciousness of the people of Swords and the public at large.