European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms visits Swords Cultural Quarter

Fingal County Council welcomed European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, Mr Raffaele Fitto, to view the development of the Swords Cultural Quarter projects. Mr. Fitto was greeted on arrival by the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, and was given a guided tour of Swords Castle and the Carnegie Free Library, as well as the site of the €40m centre-piece of the Swords Cultural Quarter, Culture House.

The development works at Swords Castle and Carnegie Free Library was made possible thanks to a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). A sum of approximately €1.5 million was secured in ERDF funding under the Southern & Eastern Regional Operational Programme. This grant, together with match funding from Fingal County Council has facilitated much of the conservation and improvement works carried out at Swords Castle and enabled the comprehensive refurbishment and reopening of the Carnegie Library, a cherished heritage building and local landmark, as a Protected Structure, to serve centre for community and arts-related activities.

Culture House, which is due to open in the second half of 2027, will see a library, theatre, gallery, maker space, arts spaces and a café all housed in an iconic building designed by award winning architects O’Donnell and Twomey.

Executive Vice-President Fitto expressed great enthusiasm for the projects, saying, “With a contribution of €1.5 million, this funding has brought new life to Swords Castle, making it accessible as a cultural and public space, and has led to the redevelopment of the Carnegie Free Library as a hub for community and artistic activities. A concrete example of how cohesion policy can enhance heritage, strengthen local communities, and create new opportunities.”

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, said, “We were absolutely delighted to have a visit from Mr. Fitto and his delegation today, who has helped to fund the comprehensive refurbishment of the Carnegie Free Library, and several conservation and repair campaigns of Swords Castle. These cultural spaces are fantastic assets to the people of Fingal.”

AnnMarie Farrelly, Chief Executive of Fingal County Council added, “I was pleased to welcome Executive Vice-President Fitto to Swords today to see ERDF funding being implemented at Swords Castle, Carnegie Library and the Swords Cultural Quarter. The Executive Vice-President had the opportunity to view the progress made on Culture House which, when open to the public in 2027, will house a library, theatre, gallery, maker space, creative arts spaces and a café. The Swords Cultural Quarter is a large-scale project within the Sustainable Swords Strategy and was designed to create a rejuvenated, vibrant and sustainable space for all within the town centre.”