Schools in Dublin

Navigating the Irish education system from primary through secondary

The Irish Education System: An Overview

Education in Ireland is divided into primary school (ages 4/5 — 12/13) and secondary school (ages 12/13 — 18/19). The school year runs from September to June, with breaks at Halloween (mid-term), Christmas, Easter, and the summer. Most schools follow the Irish curriculum, and the Department of Education sets national standards.

Ireland consistently ranks among the top countries in Europe for educational attainment, and Dublin has a wide range of excellent schools: both public (state-funded) and private (fee-paying).

Types of Schools

Public (State) Schools

The majority of students attend state schools, which are funded by the government and don't charge tuition fees (though you may pay for books, uniforms, and voluntary contributions: typically €200 — €500 per year). Most are run by patron bodies, often religious (predominantly Catholic), though Educate Together and Community National Schools offer multi-denominational options.

Public schools in Ireland are generally very good, especially in areas like Dublin 4, 6, 14, and the south county Dublin suburbs. The quality of a public school is often reflected in its catchment area: houses in the zone of a highly-regarded school are typically more expensive.

Private (Fee-Paying) Schools

Dublin has several prestigious private schools, most of which are in south Dublin. Fees range from €5,000 — €12,000 per year. These schools often have smaller class sizes, better facilities, and strong extracurricular programmes. Notable private schools include St. Andrew's College (Blackrock), Belvedere College (Dublin 1), Gonzaga College (Ranelagh), Alexandra College (Milltown), and The Teresian School (Donnybrook).

Gaelscoileanna (Irish-Medium Schools)

These schools teach entirely through the Irish language and are extremely popular. They consistently rank among the best-performing schools nationally. Many non-Irish-speaking families send their children to Gaelscoileanna: children pick up the language quickly. Waitlists are notoriously long, so apply at least a year in advance.

Primary Schools: What You Need to Know

Children start primary school at age 4 or 5 (they must be enrolled by age 6). The application process typically opens 18 months to 2 years before the child is due to start, especially for popular schools. Most schools give priority to siblings of current students, children of past pupils, and those living within the catchment area.

Key considerations:

Highly-Regarded Primary Schools in Dublin

Secondary Schools: The Junior and Leaving Cert

Secondary school lasts 5 — 6 years. Students sit the Junior Cycle exam (typically at age 15 — 16) and then the Leaving Certificate (at age 17 — 19). The Leaving Cert is the critical exam for university entry, with points allocated based on performance in 6+ subjects. Maximum points is 625 (including bonus points for Higher Level Maths).

Many secondary schools have Transition Year (TY), an optional year between Junior and Leaving Cert that focuses on personal development, work experience, and non-academic learning. It's widely regarded as beneficial and popular in Dublin schools.

Highly-Regarded Secondary Schools in Dublin

International Schools

For expat families, Dublin has several international schools, mainly offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) or British curriculum:

School Costs Summary

Published by Dublin Living Guide · Last updated: 2026 | Home

Published by Dublin Living Guide · Last updated: 2026 | Home