Brackenstown
Brackenstown is a neighbourhood in the suburban town of Swords, County Dublin, Ireland. It developed in west Swords on the north side of the Ward River. It developed along the Brackenstown Road, which runs from Swords to the townland of Knocksedan. Brackenstown was initially part of the Finglas-Swords social housing expansion, where the estates of St.Cronans, Glasmore, and Brackenstown Village were constructed. It was estimated that over 5,000 people benefited from this, primarily being relocated from Gardiner Street. Following its construction, Brackenstown's address was Finglas, Dublin 11. This was due to a social divide between the native people of Swords Village, not wanting the association with the rise in antisocial behaviour in Brackenstown. Gangland feuds once ruled the area upon its construction and its ties to Finglas Village were stronger than to Swords. Following the Celtic tiger, and the large expansion of Swords. Brackenstown became surrounded by a new sprawling Dublin suburb, and modernly is a small area located in the major Dublin city suburb of Swords. Brackenstown has shops, including a supermarket and a pub, and is adjacent to the Ward River Valley Park. Brackenstown is also a parish in the Fingal North deanery of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin.
Layout
Brackenstown is located west of the centre of Swords, along the Brackenstown Road. It is on the northside of the Ward River, between the neighbourhood of Rathbeale and the Ward River Valley Park. The Brackenstown Road runs east–west through the area and is the main road providing access to the area. The Ward River Valley Park is located on the south side of the road and most of the housing estates are on the north side of the road. Murrough road runs north from Brackenstown to the Rathbeale Road and Applewood.Public transport
The main bus terminus for western Swords is on the Brackenstown Road outside Swords Manor estate. It is served by Dublin Bus Routes 41, 41c, 41x, 41n and the private Swords Express service. All routes operate from Swords Manor, along the Brackenstown Road, then up Murrough Road to the Rathbeale Road.Dublin Bus routes 41 & 41c operate approximately every 10 minutes from Swords Manor to Dublin City Centre. Route 41 operates via Rathbeale, Swords Village, Dublin Airport, Santry and Drumcondra and route 41c operates via Applewood, Swords Village, Rivervalley, Boroimhe, Sanrty and Drumcondra. At peak times route 41x operates a service to UCD Belfield via Dublin City Centre.
The Swords Express service operates approximately every 30 minutes from Swords Manor to Dublin City Centre via Applewood, Swords Village, Forrest Road, Boroimhe and Holywell, then non-stop via the M1 motorway and Dublin Port Tunnel.
On Friday and Saturday nights the Dublin Bus 41n Nitelink service operates from Dublin City Centre to Swords Manor via Dublin Airport, Swords Village and Rathbeale.
Park
The Ward River Valley Park is a linear park on the banks of the Ward River in the centre of Swords town, between the areas of Brackenstown and River Valley. It covers an area of 89 ha. between Swords Town Centre and Knocksedan Bridge. Its features include ruined 12th-century fortifications, woodland habitats, wetlands and grasslands. There are viewing points, picnic sites, sports pitches and tennis courts.Education
There are two adjacent primary schools in the Brackenstown area:- St. Cronan's Junior National School, Brackenstown Road
- St. Cronan's Senior National School, Brackenstown Road