18 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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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