49 schools across Ireland
Ireland is entirely English-medium — a major advantage for expat families. Most state schools are free or charge only small voluntary contributions. Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium schools) are also free and produce fully bilingual graduates. Talk to our advisors for personalised guidance.
Catchment Area Warning: Most non-fee-paying schools in Ireland operate on a 'Catchment Area' basis. You usually must live within a specific distance or have a sibling in the school to secure a spot.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Rathfarnham, Dublin. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate and IB Diploma in a beautiful 150-acre campus on the slopes of the Dublin Mountains.
The Catch: It's a dedicated 7-day boarding culture. If you are looking for a 'day school' vibe, the mountain campus can feel very isolated.
A Jesuit secondary school for boys in the heart of Dublin city, founded in 1832. One of Ireland's most prestigious Catholic schools with a strong academic tradition and notable alumni.
A leading independent girls' school in Milltown, Dublin. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate and IB Diploma with boarding available. One of Ireland's oldest and most respected schools.
The Catch: Very high pressure. The expectation for students to achieve 'top points' is relentless. Great for ambitious girls, but can be stressful.
A Holy Ghost Fathers school in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. One of Ireland's most prestigious Catholic schools with a strong rugby tradition and notable alumni including many Irish presidents.
The Catch: Academics are top-tier, but the social scene is dominated by sports. If your son doesn't like rugby, he might struggle to find his 'tribe'.
A Jesuit day school for boys in Ranelagh, Dublin. Known for academic excellence, strong debating tradition and a commitment to the Jesuit ethos of educating the whole person.
A Loreto secondary school for girls in Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Consistently one of Ireland's top-performing schools in the Leaving Certificate with a strong academic and sporting tradition.
A Sacred Heart school for girls in Mount Merrion, Dublin. One of Ireland's leading girls' schools with outstanding academic results and a strong tradition of sport and the arts.
Part of the global Nord Anglia Education network, offering the IB continuum and British curriculum in Dublin. A welcoming international community for expat families relocating to Ireland.
The Catch: No Irish Leaving Cert. It's 100% IB. Great for expats, but it disconnects kids from the local Irish university pathway (CAO).
A leading co-educational independent school in Booterstown, Dublin. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate and IB Diploma. One of Ireland's most diverse and internationally-minded schools.
The Catch: It's huge and incredibly busy. It feels more like a small university than a school—not ideal for kids who need a quiet, small environment.
A Church of Ireland girls' secondary school in Glenageary, Co. Dublin. A warm, supportive community with strong academic results and a broad extra-curricular programme.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Palmerstown, Dublin, founded in 1669. One of Ireland's oldest schools with a strong academic tradition and boarding available.
A Methodist boarding and day school in Ballinteer, Dublin, founded in 1845. One of Ireland's leading Protestant schools with a strong academic tradition and boarding available.
A German international school in Clonskeagh, Dublin. Offers a bilingual German-Irish education from primary through to Leaving Certificate, ideal for German-speaking expat families.
An independent co-educational school in Sutton, Dublin. Offers primary and secondary education through to the Irish Leaving Certificate in a supportive, family-oriented environment.
An independent Catholic school for boys in Ballsbridge, Dublin. Offers primary and secondary education through to the Irish Leaving Certificate in a small, nurturing environment.
An Irish-medium secondary school for boys in Booterstown, Dublin. All subjects taught through Irish. Free to attend, producing fully bilingual graduates with strong academic results.
The Catch: Academically the best in the state, but the catch is absolute: if your child doesn't speak Irish fluently by age 12, they will likely be rejected. This is not for 'new' expats.
An Irish-medium secondary school for girls in Booterstown, Dublin. All subjects taught through Irish. Free to attend, with consistently strong Leaving Certificate results.
The Catch: Academically the best in the state, but the catch is absolute: if your child doesn't speak Irish fluently by age 12, they will likely be rejected. This is not for 'new' expats.
An authentic Montessori school in Dublin offering child-centred education for children aged 2–12. Small classes, experienced staff and a nurturing environment.
Ireland's most prestigious Jesuit boarding school, founded in 1814. Set in a 500-acre estate in Co. Kildare, it has educated generations of Ireland's leaders including James Joyce.
The Catch: Full-boarding only. It's a 24/7 brotherhood. It's about building 'networks' as much as it is about the Leaving Cert.
A Dominican boarding and day school in Newbridge, Co. Kildare. One of Leinster's leading Catholic schools with a strong academic and sporting tradition.
A Church of Ireland school in Drogheda, Co. Louth, founded in 1669. One of Ireland's oldest Protestant schools offering primary and secondary education in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate with boarding available, serving families across the north-east of Ireland.
A De La Salle boarding and day school in New Ross, Co. Wexford. One of the south-east's leading Catholic schools with a strong academic and sporting tradition.
A Cistercian boarding school for boys in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Set in a beautiful monastic estate, offering a traditional Catholic education with strong academic and sporting results.
A co-educational community school in Cashel, Co. Tipperary. Free to attend, offering the full Irish Leaving Certificate programme in the shadow of the famous Rock of Cashel.
The Catch: It is a 'Community' school, meaning it takes everyone. This leads to a great mix, but class sizes can be larger than at the fee-paying schools.
One of Cork's most prestigious secondary schools, founded in 1887. A CBS school with a strong academic tradition, outstanding rugby programme and a long list of distinguished alumni.
The Catch: Boys only. It is traditional and high-pressure. If your son isn't into competitive sports or top-tier academics, he might find the culture overwhelming.
A leading Catholic secondary school for boys in Cork city. Known for academic excellence, strong GAA tradition and a commitment to the Presentation ethos.
The Catch: Very similar to CBC—if you don't 'play ball' (literally), the social life can feel narrow. It's an old-school Cork institution.
A leading Catholic girls' secondary school in Blackrock, Cork. Consistently strong Leaving Certificate results with a warm, supportive community ethos.
The Catch: Traditional Catholic ethos. While welcoming, it is formal. Excellent for discipline and results, but less 'progressive' than international schools.
An Irish-medium secondary school in Cork city. All subjects taught through Irish, producing fully bilingual graduates. Free to attend for all residents.
The Catch: This is only for the brave. Every subject is taught in Irish. Unless your child is already fluent or starting very young, this is an impossible mountain to climb.
A Benedictine boarding school for boys set in a stunning 500-acre estate in Co. Limerick. Known for its exceptional music programme, arts and a holistic approach to education.
The Catch: Seven-day boarding is the norm. It's a Benedictine 'monastic' vibe—peaceful and high-culture, but very expensive and secluded.
A Jesuit co-educational comprehensive school in Dooradoyle, Limerick. Free to attend, with a strong academic tradition and commitment to the Jesuit ethos of educating the whole person.
The Catch: Huge demand. Because it's free and academically elite, the waiting list is massive. You generally need to be in the local catchment area to stand a chance.
A leading Catholic girls' secondary school in Limerick city, founded in 1845. Consistently strong Leaving Certificate results with a warm, supportive community.
The Catch: It's an all-girls, Irish-medium (Gaelcholáiste) school. Academic standards are sky-high, but the language barrier is real for expats.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Limerick city. One of Ireland's few schools offering the IB Diploma alongside the Irish Leaving Certificate, with boarding available.
The Catch: One of the few schools in the region offering the IB Diploma. It's co-ed and multi-denominational, making it the 'easiest' social fit for international families.
A Jesuit secondary school in Galway city, founded in 1862. Known locally as "The Jes", it offers a strong academic programme with a commitment to the Jesuit tradition of educating the whole person.
The Catch: Bilingual (Irish/English) streams exist. It is heavily oversubscribed, and getting a spot mid-term is nearly impossible without local connections.
Known as "The Bish", one of Galway's oldest and most respected secondary schools. A Catholic school for boys with a strong academic and sporting tradition in the heart of Galway city.
The Catch: Very urban campus with limited space. Known for rowing and science, but the facilities feel 'historic' (old) compared to new suburban builds.
A well-established Montessori school in Galway offering authentic Montessori education for children aged 2–12 in a warm, child-centred environment.
The Catch: Primary only (up to age 12). Galway secondary spots are tight, so you need to be applying for their 'big school' while they are still in 3rd or 4th class.
A leading Catholic secondary school for boys in Sligo town, founded in 1880. Strong academic and GAA tradition in the heart of the west of Ireland.
The Catch: Boys only. It's a very traditional 'Diocesan' school. While academic standards are high, it can feel like a very large, busy environment.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Sligo town. Offers the Irish Leaving Certificate with boarding available, serving families across the north-west of Ireland.
The Catch: Boarding facilities are functional and historic. It doesn't have the 'luxury' feel of Dublin boarding schools, but it has a very tight-knit community.
A CBS secondary school for boys in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Strong academic and GAA tradition in the heart of the west of Ireland.
The Catch: A traditional De La Salle school. Very community-focused, which is great for integration, but might feel 'very Irish' for international expats.
One of Ireland's oldest Catholic schools, founded in 1782. A boarding and day school for boys in Kilkenny city with a strong hurling tradition and excellent academic results.
The Catch: Boys only. If your son isn't into sports, he might feel slightly sidelined by the massive focus on GAA achievements.
One of Ireland's oldest schools, founded in 1538. A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Kilkenny city with a distinguished history and strong academic tradition.
The Catch: It has a very 'Church of Ireland' ethos. While inclusive, it feels quite traditional. Very high demand from farming families across the Southeast.
The primary independent school in Waterford city today. A Quaker boarding and day school with a long tradition of inclusive, values-based education and strong academic results.
The Catch: Much more relaxed and inclusive than the Jesuit or Diocesan schools. If you want a 'strict' or 'rigid' environment, this isn't it.
A Church of Ireland boarding and day school in Waterford city, founded in 1705. One of Ireland's oldest Protestant schools with a strong academic tradition and boarding available.
The Catch: It is significantly smaller than the Dublin giants. Great for individual attention, but has a more limited range of elective subjects for the Leaving Cert.
A Christian Brothers secondary school in Ennis, Co. Clare. Free to attend, with a strong academic and sporting tradition in the heart of County Clare.
The Catch: Consistently high academic results mean it's perpetually oversubscribed. You often need a sibling connection or to live in the parish to get a spot.
A co-educational community college in Arklow, Co. Wicklow. Free to attend, offering the full Irish Leaving Certificate programme in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
The Catch: It's a vocational-heavy stream. Excellent for practical skills, but families looking for a 'high-society' academic bubble will find it too grounded.
A co-educational community college in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath. Free to attend, offering the full Irish Leaving Certificate programme in a growing commuter-belt town.
The Catch: Growth! The school has had to expand rapidly to keep up with new housing. Expect a bit of a 'construction zone' feel as they add capacity.
A co-educational community college in Tralee, Co. Kerry. Free to attend, offering the full Irish Leaving Certificate programme in the heart of the Kingdom of Kerry.
The Catch: It focuses heavily on 'holistic' and vocational paths. If you want a 100% 'Points-focused' academic pressure cooker, this isn't the one.
A Loreto community school in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Free to attend, with a strong academic tradition and a warm, supportive community in the north-west of Ireland.
The Catch: Academic standards are very high, but the building is historic and can feel a bit 'cramped' during peak hours.
A co-educational community college in Roscommon town. Free to attend, offering the full Irish Leaving Certificate programme in a welcoming, inclusive environment.
The Catch: It's a smaller school in a rural town. Social life revolves entirely around the local community and GAA.
Not sure which Irish school is right for your family?
Our advisors help families navigate Ireland's school system — from Dublin's international schools to the great Jesuit boarding colleges of the Irish countryside.
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