New summer Swords Castle Food Markets full of flavour and creativity

Each month from April to September 2025 a new food market will take place at Swords Castle Fingal. This bustling, lively market promises a winning combination of artisan food and fresh produce stalls jostling for attention alongside handmade crafts and fun family entertainment. The Swords Castle Food Market is a joint venture of Fingal County Council, Fingal Food Network and Fingal Farmers Group and will take place on the third Saturday of each month from 10am to 3pm. 

The medieval Castle grounds will be a hive of activity on market days, buzzing with atmosphere, and spilling over with colour and interest. Swords Castle is family and wheelchair friendly so it’s an ideal opportunity for everyone to join in the fun. Beanbags on the grass and plenty of picnic benches ensure there’s a spot to rest or to enjoy some of the enticing hot food on offer. Teas, coffees and cold drinks will also be available and of course delicious homemade cakes. Don’t miss the chance to try something local and different for lunch or bag a gorgeous bunch of flowers or some seasonal produce to take home. 

Entry is free, and in addition to the market visitors can enjoy an engaging series of food-related talks in the historic restored Chapel. This lovely space is also the venue for the kiddie colouring competition; just what’s needed to keep little ones occupied for a while. Take time to wander through gate into the adjoining Swords Town Park. It’s an attractive riverside park with open grassy areas, meandering pathways and shady mature woodland.

The Mayor of Fingal County Council, Cllr Brian McDonagh said, “The Swords Castle Food Market is a fantastic addition to our community. This initiative not only showcases the best of our local producers but also creates a unique space where families, friends, and visitors can come together to enjoy fresh, locally sourced food, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Castle. I hope everyone can come along, sample the delicious offerings, and immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere that will make this market truly special. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our food culture and heritage in a way that brings our community closer together.”

The large, enclosed central courtyard at Swords Castle is an ideal market location; a safe and convenient venue for visitors and stallholders alike. Niamh McNally of McNally Family Farm, Chair of Fingal Food Network welcomed the new venture, saying, “We're very excited with the creation of a new market in Swords Castle this summer. This offers our members a wonderful trading opportunity in Fingal and marks what we hope will be the first of many local markets throughout the region.” The Network includes a variety of artisan food producers from around Fingal and McNally Family Farm will be just one of the stallholders at the new market.

The Fingal Farmers Group are familiar to anyone who has been to Flavours of Fingal and their Chair, Jim Scully of Dublin Farm Dairy, is a strong supporter of the new Swords Castle Market. He commented, “This market represents a great opportunity for both farmers and consumers in Fingal to connect directly with each other and provide locally produced food to the local people”. Each month Swords market will feature lots of Fingal Farmer stalls with everything from the freshest of vegetables to milk from just down the road. 

Stallholders are invited to express their interest in being part of the new venture. Anyone who would like to participate should email [email protected] The 2025 dates are all Saturdays: 19th April, 17th May, 21st June, 19th July, 16th August and 20th September.