The castle was once the home of the Bishop and served no defense purpose in and of itself. It is currently undergoing renovations and is closed to the public, but the adjacent park is open and is used by the public every day.
The town park is a lush, green area, that fits in very well with the surrounding residencies and businesses. The walk ways are well defined, although the littering could be better managed (bottle caps and cigarette filters just a foot away from the trash bin is just laziness). There are cute park benches at good intervals and CCTV cameras abound to ensure security. The laws are well kept and the wildness of trees and ivy along the Ward River gives a serenity which is surprising in a town of roughly 50 thousand people. So far I've seen doves, crows and ravens, a heron, a squirrel, pigeons, and a rat in the park.
The park also have a tennis court with four courts, all in great condition. The playing fee is reasonable (€3 for adults and €1.5 for children). Next to the tennis courts is an adorable playground, with swings, a merry-go-round, and monkey bars.
Both the park and the castle are easily accessible for wheelchairs, electric scooters, and for strolling. It seems to be a common theme for businesses and public areas to be accessible for everyone.
The only real downer with the town park is the litter, both along the paths and in the river itself. Coming from Sweden, with its harsh laws against pollution and littering, I am horrified by the trash in the river. BUT, the town of Swords is making strides to battle the litter situation, so I am hopeful that even the Ward River will get its beauty back.
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