You know what they say about childhood summers and how they were always better? I think there is a grain of truth in that. I grew up in Swords. Unlike today when it’s a sprawling urban mess bordered by retail parks and the M1, back then it was a proper village. A village with one main street with miles and miles of country lanes.

These lanes begged to be walked along. Walk south and you could get to the old quarry at Feltrim. Of course you’d have to pass the mink farm and hold your nose as you did. But it was a lovely quiet country lane.

If you went west, you’d find yourself staring up at the round tower and you could walk around the ruins of the old monastic settlement. Who needs Glendalough when you had this on your doorstep.

Right in the middle of the town was the castle. Back in the day it wasn’t in the best shape but it stood majestically overlooking the main street and beckoning you towards North St and beyond.

North St and beyond. That’s where paradise lied. Walk past the FCA building and one of two GAA clubs and you can smell it: the Estuary.

There were to ways you could walk. Keep on the northside and trundle over the bridge and silence met you. There was a farm on your left but you never saw people. It was silent except for a bird your mum or big brother pointed out and told you the name of. If you really wanted a long walk, you could follow the path right around to Donabate or Portrane. I can’t remember ever doing this. 

There was another route. Before you got to the bridge you could turn right and head east. These days the M1 flies over this section of the estuary and there is a proper path for walkers and joggers but back in the day that the southern side was the more open side. That was the side were Kayaks were launched by older brothers. Oversized life jackets were put on a tiny me as I was taken on a very short spin. There was the pink house we always commented on and there were Flamingos.

You read that right. There was one summer, all those years ago when a flock of pink flamingos stayed on the Broadmeadow Estuary. I thought I was dreaming but my mother remembers it too, Magnificent pink birds taking their summer holidays in Swords.

It's Swords. It's home.

Newstalk's Down to Business is broadcasting live from the Empire Bar in Swords from 11:00 on Saturday. To attend, text SWORDS to 53106.