Swords is an ancient settlement dating back to 560, having been founded by Saint Colmcille. Legend has it that the saint blessed a local well, giving the town its name Sord meaning "clear" or "pure". However, An Sord also means "the water source" and could indicate a large communal drinking well. In 1994 Swords became the county town of the then newly established county of Fingal, and in 2001 it became the administrative centre for the county upon the completion of the €12m Fingal County Hall.