20 Attractions to Explore Near Ward River Valley Park

The Swords Round Tower dates from the 9th century and marks the site of an old monastery founded by St. Colmcille in the year 560 A.D. St. Colmcille blessed the local well of clear water, thus giving the town it's name 'Sord' meaning clear or pure. It is also reputed that the bodies of Brian Boru and his son Murrough rested here after the Battle of Clontarf when they were on their way to Armagh for burial.

The Castle situated in the centre of the ancient town of Swords is the only fortified residence of the Archbishop to survive in a reasonable state today. The buildings that make up the Castle form a rough pentagon enclosing an area of approximately 0.5 Ha with a perimeter wall of 305 meters. The Castle was built over a period of 400 years starting before 1200 A.D.

Glasmore Abbey is a ruins in Ireland, situated northeast of Killeek, close to Glasmoe Abbey. An iconic attraction in this area and there are so many options for leisure activities too.

The Broadmeadow viaduct is a rail bridge carrying the main Dublin to Belfast railway across the estuary of the Broadmeadow River, about 13 kilometres north of Dublin, Ireland. Just north of Malahide village, it is approximately 180 metres (600 feet) long and is a section of a longer crossing constructed as an embankment.

Newbridge Demesne is an early 18th-century Georgian estate and mansion situated in north County Dublin, Ireland. It was built in 1736 by Charles Cobbe, Archbishop of Dublin, and remained the property of his Cobbe descendants until 1985. It was then acquired by Dublin County Council, in a unique arrangement, under which Newbridge House would remain the family home.Set within 400 acres of partially wooded parkland, Newbridge House is one of the finest surviving examples of Georgian architecture.

St Doulagh's Church was previously home to a Medieval monastic settlement. St Doulagh, who was a hermit, founded the monastic settlement in the 7th century at this site. It is the oldest stone-roofed church still in use in Ireland and it is located in Kinsealy. The original portion of the building is 48 feet by 18 feet, with a double roof of rough stone set with cement. The original walls are three feet thick. The battlemented square tower was added in the 15th Century.

Malahide is an expansive stretch of sand that runs between the town and the estuary. It is a popular spot with beach walkers with a mix of dunes, beach, footpath and promenade running along its 2km length. A good picnic destination and is a good place where you can bring your family out.

A beautiful stretch of white sandy beach in North County Dublin and is a great spot for walking and canoeing. From the beach there are beautiful views of Lambay Island, Howth Peninsula and Malahide Estuary. Explore the many rock pools.

A beautiful footpath along the coast connects the beaches of Donabate. It leads past impressive cliffs and offers magnificent views over the Irish Sea and Lambay Island. It is an iconic location for a walk and also there are so many things to see and do here.

A beautiful tidal estuary that holds large numbers of waders and wildfowl in winter and the Rush Sailing Club is located near the estuary. The estuary is made up of saltwater marshes, raised salt marsh, wet meadows and riverine shallows and creeks. It covers an area of 3.63 km2, and is divided by a causeway and bridge built in the 1840s to carry the main Dublin–Belfast railway line.

A beautiful wide strand of sandy beach located in Portmarnock, North Dublin. It is five miles long and stretches all the way to Baldoyle and adjoins Malahide Beach. It has a lovely view of the Dublin Mountains and Howth Harbour. . It is a great way of exercising, whether walking, cycling or even roller blading.

Portmarnock Golf Club is situated on uits own sandy peninsula, approximately two miles long and covering some 500 acres. The course opened on Saint Stephen's Day 1894 with nine holes. It was extended to eighteen holes in 1896 with a new clubhouse and a further nine holes were added in 1971. It is regularly famed as one of the world's greatest links golf clubs.

The round tower of Lusk was already built in the 9th century and offered protection to the monastery complex during the numerous Viking raids in this area. The medieval builders made every effort to merge their new tower and the round tower into one unit. The nave, which adjoins the bell tower, was not built until the middle of the 19th century.

Sutton is a residential suburb on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. It occupies the tombolo which links Howth Head to the mainland, some of the lower slopes of Howth Hill, and a little of the adjacent coasts. The area lies within the jurisdiction of Fingal County Council. There is a small commercial core at the Sutton Cross road intersection.

The National Botanic Gardens is a botanical garden in Glasnevin, 5 km north-west of Dublin city centre, Ireland.The 19.5 hectares are situated between Glasnevin Cemetery and the River Tolka where it forms part of the river's floodplain. They house approximately 20,000 living plants and many millions of dried plant specimens. There are several architecturally notable greenhouses.

Guinness Storehouse is a tourist attraction at St. James's Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland. Since opening in 2000, it has received over twenty million visitors. Guinness Storehouse building was once the fermentation plant of the brewery. Today it offers a Guinness experience. As you make your way through the space, explore the ingredients, history and culture that tell the Guinness story.

Four Knocks is a Passage Chamber Tomb built about 5000 years ago. It is located 10 miles southeast of Newgrange between Ardcath in County Meath and the Naul in County Dublin. It has a short passage leading into a wide pear shaped chamber with three smaller offset chambers. The original roof was probably a wooden structure supported by a central pole. The name Fourknocks may be from the Irish Fuair Cnocs meaning Cold Hills.

A majestic wooden roller coaster located at Tayto Park in Ashbourne, County Meath, Ireland. Manufactured by The Gravity Group, the wooden coaster features an overbanked turn and opened on 6 June 2015. With the figure of Ireland’s greatest mythological warrior emblazoned across the front of the rollercoaster, Cú Chulainn leads his passengers through an epic and thrilling experience like no other.