# Swords

> county town near Dublin in Ireland

**Wikidata**: [Q987745](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q987745)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swords,_County_Dublin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/swords

## Summary
Swords is the county town of Fingal, located near Dublin in Ireland. It serves as the administrative center of Fingal and is one of the largest towns in the region, with a population of over 40,000 as of 2022. Founded by Saint Columba, Swords has historical significance and is a key suburban settlement within the Greater Dublin Area.

## Key Facts
- **Location**: Swords is situated in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland, with coordinates 53.4597°N, 6.2181°W.
- **Population**: The town had a population of 36,924 in 2011 and 40,776 in 2022.
- **Area**: Covers 11.35 square kilometers.
- **Elevation**: 3 meters above sea level.
- **Founded by**: Saint Columba.
- **Capital of**: Fingal.
- **Twin Town**: Ozoir-la-Ferrière (since 1991).
- **Official Names**: Known as "Swords" in English and "Sord" in Irish.
- **Website**: [Fingal County Council - Swords](https://www.fingal.ie/visitor/locations/swords).
- **Wikidata ID**: Q199913.
- **Geonames ID**: 2961297.
- **Irish Grid Reference**: O184469.
- **WOEID**: 562309.
- **VIAF ID**: 140018537.
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: nr2004030795.
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007475990005171.
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 6b93c487-833a-4902-972c-f88eb886e822.
- **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39PBJmHMVd48p3wX7JjVFfjG3.

## FAQs
**What is the population of Swords?**
As of 2022, Swords has a population of 40,776, up from 36,924 in 2011.

**Who founded Swords?**
Swords was founded by Saint Columba, an Irish missionary and saint.

**What is the significance of Swords in Fingal?**
Swords is the county town and administrative center of Fingal, playing a key role in local governance.

**Is Swords twinned with any other towns?**
Yes, Swords is twinned with Ozoir-la-Ferrière in France since 1991.

**What are the official names of Swords?**
The town is officially known as "Swords" in English and "Sord" in Irish.

## Why It Matters
Swords is a historically and administratively significant town in Ireland, serving as the capital of Fingal and a major suburban hub near Dublin. Its growth reflects broader urban expansion in the Greater Dublin Area, and its historical roots tie it to early Christian Ireland through its founding by Saint Columba. As a key settlement in Fingal, Swords plays a central role in local governance, infrastructure, and community life.

## Notable For
- Being the county town and administrative center of Fingal.
- Its historical founding by Saint Columba.
- A population exceeding 40,000, making it one of the largest towns in the region.
- Its twinning with Ozoir-la-Ferrière, France, since 1991.
- Serving as a major suburban settlement within the Greater Dublin Area.

## Body
### Overview
Swords is a town in Fingal, County Dublin, Ireland, located approximately 10 kilometers north of Dublin city center. It is the county town of Fingal and serves as its administrative hub. The town covers an area of 11.35 square kilometers and has an elevation of 3 meters above sea level.

### History
Swords was founded by Saint Columba, an influential figure in early Irish Christianity. The town's historical significance is tied to its role as a settlement in the historic County Dublin. Over time, Swords has grown from a small settlement into a major suburban town within the Greater Dublin Area.

### Demographics
The population of Swords has seen steady growth, increasing from 36,924 in 2011 to 40,776 in 2022. This growth reflects the broader urban expansion in the region, driven by its proximity to Dublin and its role as a key residential and administrative center.

### Governance and Administration
Swords is the capital of Fingal, a county in the Dublin region. As the administrative center, it hosts key governmental and municipal offices, playing a central role in the governance of Fingal. The town is also part of the historic County Dublin.

### Geography and Location
Swords is located at coordinates 53.4597°N, 6.2181°W, within the Irish Grid Reference O184469. The town is situated in a low-lying area, with an elevation of just 3 meters above sea level. Its proximity to Dublin makes it a significant suburban settlement.

### International Relations
Swords is twinned with Ozoir-la-Ferrière, a town in France, with the twinning agreement established in 1991. This relationship fosters cultural and economic exchanges between the two towns.

### Cultural and Linguistic Identity
The town is officially known as "Swords" in English and "Sord" in Irish, reflecting its bilingual heritage. The Irish name "Sord" is derived from the Old Irish word for "water," highlighting the town's historical connection to local water sources.

### Infrastructure and Development
Swords is a well-developed suburban town with modern infrastructure, including residential, commercial, and administrative facilities. The town's growth is supported by its strategic location near Dublin and its role as the administrative center of Fingal.

### Online Presence
The official website for Swords, provided by Fingal County Council, offers information on local attractions, services, and governance: [Fingal County Council - Swords](https://www.fingal.ie/visitor/locations/swords).

### Identifiers and References
Swords is identified by various codes and references in international databases, including:
- **Wikidata ID**: Q199913
- **Geonames ID**: 2961297
- **VIAF ID**: 140018537
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: nr2004030795
- **National Library of Israel J9U ID**: 987007475990005171
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: 6b93c487-833a-4902-972c-f88eb886e822
- **WorldCat Entities ID**: E39PBJmHMVd48p3wX7JjVFfjG3

These identifiers facilitate the town's representation in global databases and research contexts.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. MusicBrainz
3. [Source](https://data.cso.ie/)
4. census
5. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
6. GeoNames