Photo: Tdr112 · CC BY-SA 4.0Carna has 3 fee-paying secondary schools in and around it
The DEIS programme includes 58% of the schools around Carna, above both Co. Dublin’s towns (40%) and Irish towns (35%). DEIS, the extra support for schools in disadvantaged areas, reaches 35 of its 60 schools; across Ireland, 30%. Nothing here grades or ranks these schools: Ireland publishes no results school by school, and the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them.
Every school in the town or within 3 km of its outline, from the Department of Education’s lists for 2025/26; Ireland’s figures are every school in the lists.
What stands out about Carna’s schools
Fee-paying secondary schools
Several of the secondary schools within reach charge fees; the others are free. Fee-paying schools are listed with the rest below, each with its own page. Fee-paying: Castleknock College (771), The Kings Hospital (732) and Mount Sackville Secondary School (636). Every school ↓
Extra support for many schools
Many schools here are in DEIS, which gives schools in disadvantaged areas more teachers, money and help; across Ireland, 30% of schools are. In DEIS: Phobailscoil Iosolde (764), St. Seton's Secondary School (741), Collinstown Park Community College (630) and St. Kevin's Community College (525), and 31 more. Who runs them ↓
A wide choice at twelve
Within 10 km of the town there are 116 post-primary schools to choose from, of different kinds; each sets its own admission policy, and many families apply to several. The nearest: St. Seton's Secondary School (0.9 km), Kylemore College (1.1 km) and Phobailscoil Iosolde (1.1 km). Post-primary choices ↓
Facts from the Department of Education’s lists; nothing here judges how well a school teaches.
The 60 schools in and around Carna
Here are the schools in Carna or within 3 km of it, every one with its own page. Results by school aren’t published in Ireland, so the cards carry none.
Show all 40 primary schools
Who runs Carna’s schools
Who runs each school, as listed for 2025/26; the bars give the share of schools of each kind.
48 of Carna’s 60 schools have a Catholic ethos, against 80% across Ireland. The patrons with most schools here: Archbishop of Dublin (40), Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB (4) and CEIST (3). 35 of the 60 are in DEIS, the extra support for schools in disadvantaged areas (30% across Ireland).
Department of Education school lists: ethos 2025/26, patron 2024/25 (the 2025/26 lists don’t give it). DEIS list 2025/26.
Where the 60 schools in and around Carna are
Each school where the official list places it, shaded by who runs it and sized by pupils; squares are secondary schools, triangles special schools. The dashed shape is Carna’s outline; schools within 3 km of it count.
Places from the Department of Education’s school lists (its own coordinates for all but a handful); map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Teaching through Irish in and around Carna
The schools by teaching language, with Ireland’s share as the black tick.
4 of Carna’s 60 schools teach every subject through Irish: Gaelscoil na Camoige, Coláiste Chilliain and Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain.
Who Carna’s schools serve
The pupils at the area’s schools by share, beside Co. Dublin’s and Ireland’s, 2025/26
Each bar is the area’s share; the tick marks Ireland’s.
DEIS by stage: pupils at DEIS schools
| Share of pupils | Around Carna | Co. Dublin | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils at DEIS schools | 57% | 28% | 27% |
| Pupils at all-Irish schools | 7% | 6% | 6% |
| Girls | 49% | 49% | 49% |
| Post-primary pupils at single-sex schools | 45% | 38% | 29% |
| Post-primary pupils at fee-paying schools | 24% | 18% | 6% |
DEIS schools teach 57% of the pupils around Carna, a larger share than Ireland’s 27% (Co. Dublin: 28%). Furthest from Ireland’s mix is the share of post-primary pupils at fee-paying schools: 24% here against 6%. The biggest school in DEIS is Phobailscoil Iosolde (764 pupils).
Each of the 60 schools
Department of Education school lists 2025/26 (preliminary): enrolments by sex and the DEIS list. Shares are of pupils, not of schools; a county’s are the schools listed with its towns.
The 14 patrons of Carna’s schools
The patron owns the school and sets its ethos; a board of management runs it day to day.
The schools around Carna answer to 14 patrons, and Archbishop of Dublin leads with 40 of the 60 schools and 51% of their pupils. The local Education and Training Board runs 7.
| Patron | Ethos | Schools | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop of DublinOur Lady Queen of Apostles, Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain, Assumption Junior School, St Raphaels, Scoil Naomh Seosamh, St Ultans, Drimnagh Castle CBS, S.N. Muire Gan Smal B, Scoil Bride C, Scoil Lorcain B, St Michaels, Scoil Mhuire, St Peter Apostle Sen, Divine Mercy Senior, St Louise de Marillac Primary School, Scoil Naomh Ide, Neillstown, S N Muire na Freastogala Girls Senior School, Scoil Naomh Aine, Gaelscoil na Camoige, St Gabriels, Gaelscoil Inse Chor, St Marys Sen, Divine Mercy Junior, St Patricks, Inchicore, St Bernadettes Senior, Goldenbridge Convent, St Marys Junior, St Bernadettes Junior, S N Banrion na nAingeal 1, Scoil Mhuire, St Michaels Spec School, Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls Senior School, Bainrion na nAingal 2, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Lady of Good Counsel Boys Senior, Our Lady of Wayside, St John of God Sp Sch, S.N. Naomh Cillin | Catholic | 40 | 9,548 |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETBCollinstown Park, St. Kevin's, Coláiste Chilliain, Ballydowd High Support Special School | Inter-denominational, Multi-denominational | 4 | 1,562 |
| CEISTColáiste Bríde, Mercy, Our Lady Of Mercy | Catholic | 3 | 1,631 |
| City of Dublin ETBKylemore College, Solas Hospital School | Multi-denominational | 2 | 577 |
| Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COIS.N. Naomh Eoin, Chapelizod | Church of Ireland | 2 | 121 |
| Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians)Castleknock College | Catholic | 1 | 771 |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB & Archbishop of DublinPhobailscoil Iosolde | Inter-denominational | 1 | 764 |
| Marist Brothers (Province of West Central Europe)Moyle Park College | Catholic | 1 | 763 |
| Trusteeship of the Le Chéile Schools Trust & CEISTSt. Seton's | Other | 1 | 741 |
| Board of Governors of King's HospitalThe Kings Hospital | Church of Ireland | 1 | 732 |
| Le Chéile Schools TrustMount Sackville | Catholic | 1 | 636 |
| Edmund Rice Schools TrustMeanscoil Iognáid Rís | Catholic | 1 | 521 |
| Religious Sisters of CharityAssumption | Catholic | 1 | 270 |
| Health Service ExecutiveLinn Dara Schools | Multi-denominational | 1 | 51 |
Department of Education school lists: patron 2024/25, ethos 2025/26.
How children get a place in Carna
Starting primary school
Children can start primary school once they are four, and must be in school by six. Families apply to each school directly. Every school publishes an admission policy and a yearly admission notice; a school with more applicants than places admits on the criteria in its policy. Since the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, a Catholic or other majority-faith primary school can’t put baptised children first; a school of a minority faith still can, to keep its ethos.
Moving to secondary school
Children move to post-primary school at about twelve, after sixth class. Again, families apply to each school, usually a year or more ahead, and an oversubscribed school admits on its published criteria, often brothers and sisters and its feeder primary schools. The 3 fee-paying schools here set their own fees and admissions.
Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018; each school’s admission policy and notice are on its own website.
Which schools are growing
Of these 54 schools, 9 have grown by at least 5% since 2019/20 and 29 have lost as much; Ireland’s pupils changed by +5%.
All 54 schools
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September, 2019/20 and 2025/26 (preliminary). No capacity is published, so how full a school is can’t be shown.
Inspection reports for Carna’s schools
The Inspectorate’s published reports for each school, linked, without ratings
The Inspectorate inspects schools in several ways: a whole-school evaluation covers teaching, learning and how the school is led; a subject inspection looks at one subject; a follow-through checks on earlier advice. Reports go on gov.ie with the school’s reply.
Reports say what inspectors found and what should improve, without an overall grade, so none appears here; each of the 60 schools below links its own.
Department of Education Inspectorate reports on gov.ie, found by each school’s roll number.
Post-primary schools within reach of Carna
Every post-primary school within 10 km of the town; families choose and apply to each, at about twelve
Families in Carna have 116 post-primary schools within 10 km: 69 voluntary secondary schools, 32 ETB schools, 13 community schools and 2 comprehensive schools. Of these, 40 are single-sex: 21 for girls and 19 for boys. Fees are charged at 18 of them. Every subject is taught through Irish at 6 of them.
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Seton's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Other | Girls and boys | DEIS | 741 | 0.9 km |
| Kylemore CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 479 | 1.1 km |
| Phobailscoil IosoldeCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 764 | 1.1 km |
| Collinstown Park Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 630 | 2 km |
| Mount Sackville Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 636 | 2.2 km |
| The Kings HospitalVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 732 | 2.4 km |
| Meanscoil Iognáid RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 521 | 2.8 km |
| Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 349 | 2.9 km |
| St. Kevin's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 525 | 3 km |
| Coláiste BrídeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 993 | 3 km |
| Assumption Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 270 | 3 km |
| Coláiste ChilliainETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 400 | 3.1 km |
All 116 post-primary schools within reach
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moyle Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 763 | 3.1 km |
| Castleknock CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 771 | 3.1 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 289 | 3.3 km |
| Kingswood Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,006 | 3.8 km |
| Castleknock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,318 | 3.9 km |
| Kishoge Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 937 | 4 km |
| Griffeen Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 576 | 4 km |
| Deansrath Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 425 | 4.1 km |
| Edmund Rice CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 912 | 4.1 km |
| Greenhills CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 186 | 4.2 km |
| St Pauls Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 466 | 4.3 km |
| Coláiste de hÍdeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 266 | 4.5 km |
| Rosary CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 250 | 4.6 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 4.7 km |
| Coláiste Cois LifeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 592 | 4.8 km |
| Luttrellstown Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,027 | 4.8 km |
| Coláiste Phádraig CBSVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 745 | 4.8 km |
| Clogher Road Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 4.9 km |
| Coláiste MhuireVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 272 | 5.1 km |
| C.B.S. James StreetVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 251 | 5.1 km |
| St Declan's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 651 | 5.1 km |
| St Dominics CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 790 | 5.2 km |
| St Joseph's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 934 | 5.3 km |
| Templeogue CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 637 | 5.4 km |
| Tallaght Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 840 | 5.4 km |
| St Mac Dara's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 915 | 5.4 km |
| Le Cheile Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 944 | 5.5 km |
| Lucan Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 966 | 5.6 km |
| Cabra Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 264 | 5.7 km |
| St Marks Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 931 | 5.7 km |
| Scoil Phobail Chuil MhinCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,014 | 5.7 km |
| St Josephs Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 283 | 5.7 km |
| Presentation CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 262 | 5.9 km |
| St Pauls C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 244 | 6.1 km |
| Terenure CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 800 | 6.1 km |
| Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 437 | 6.1 km |
| Presentation Community CollegeETB · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 443 | 6.2 km |
| St Patricks Cathedral Grammar SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 302 | 6.2 km |
| Old Bawn Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,024 | 6.4 km |
| New Cross CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 417 | 6.4 km |
| Adamstown Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 981 | 6.4 km |
| Our Ladys SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 6.4 km |
| Coláiste EoinETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 257 | 6.5 km |
| Christian Brothers, Synge St.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 256 | 6.5 km |
| Mount Carmel Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 386 | 6.6 km |
| Blakestown Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 563 | 6.7 km |
| St Louis High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 690 | 6.7 km |
| St Michaels Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 646 | 6.7 km |
| St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., RathminesVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 500 | 6.7 km |
| St Vincents C.B.S. GlasnevinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 408 | 6.8 km |
| St Aidan's Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 561 | 6.8 km |
| Rath Dara Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 323 | 6.9 km |
| Stratford CollegeVoluntary secondary · Jewish | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 189 | 7 km |
| Hartstown Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,120 | 7 km |
| Belvedere College S.JVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 1,011 | 7.1 km |
| Firhouse Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 825 | 7.3 km |
| The High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 811 | 7.3 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 588 | 7.3 km |
| Larkin Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 403 | 7.3 km |
| Catholic University SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 544 | 7.3 km |
| St Mary's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 830 | 7.3 km |
| Sancta Maria CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 577 | 7.4 km |
| Killinarden Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 471 | 7.5 km |
| Mount Seskin Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 350 | 7.5 km |
| Coláiste ÉannaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 618 | 7.5 km |
| Beneavin De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 585 | 7.5 km |
| Eriu Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 193 | 7.6 km |
| Loreto High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 625 | 7.6 km |
| St. Colmcille's Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 727 | 7.7 km |
| Hansfield ETSSVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 867 | 7.7 km |
| St Kevins CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 503 | 7.7 km |
| C.B.S. Westland RowVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 7.7 km |
| Gaelcholáiste an PhiarsaighVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 296 | 7.8 km |
| Scoil ChaitrionaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 523 | 7.8 km |
| Coláiste Pobail SetantaETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,079 | 7.8 km |
| O'Connell SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 222 | 7.9 km |
| Coláiste pobail FólaETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 758 | 7.9 km |
| Sandford Park School LtdVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 437 | 7.9 km |
| Gonzaga CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 576 | 8.2 km |
| De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 463 | 8.3 km |
| Alexandra CollegeVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls | Fee-paying, Boarding | 664 | 8.4 km |
| Firhouse Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 411 | 8.4 km |
| St Conleths CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 339 | 8.4 km |
| Muckross Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 709 | 8.4 km |
| Rosmini Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 139 | 8.5 km |
| Dominican CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 8.6 km |
| Clonturk CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 968 | 8.9 km |
| Trinity Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 564 | 8.9 km |
| St. Aidan's C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 725 | 9 km |
| St Josephs C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 310 | 9.1 km |
| Coláiste ChiaráinCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 676 | 9.2 km |
| Marian CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 319 | 9.3 km |
| Marino CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 9.3 km |
| Ringsend CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 191 | 9.4 km |
| Maryfield CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 527 | 9.5 km |
| Confey Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 934 | 9.5 km |
| The Teresian SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 230 | 9.6 km |
| Ballinteer Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 415 | 9.6 km |
| Ellenfield Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 150 | 9.6 km |
| Árdscoil RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 563 | 9.7 km |
| Rockbrook Park SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 186 | 9.7 km |
| Our Lady's Grove Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 295 | 9.7 km |
| St Kilian's Deutsche SchuleVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 475 | 9.9 km |
| Mount Temple Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 903 | 10 km |
Department of Education post-primary list 2025/26; straight-line distances from the town’s centre point.
Special schools and classes around Carna
5 special schools serve the area: Linn Dara Schools, St Michaels Spec School, Solas Hospital School, Ballydowd High Support Special School and St John of God Sp Sch, 405 pupils between them. 26 of the 40 primary schools have special classes for children who need more support. Their cards ↑
Special schools and primary schools with special classes as the Department lists them; the National Council for Special Education places pupils in special classes.
Carna beside the 87 other Irish towns of 2,000 to 3,900 people
Towns of a similar size, with the schools in or within 3 km of each; ordered by population, never ranked
| Town | People | Schools | Pupils | All-Irish | DEIS schools | Nearest post-primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claremorris | 3,857 | 3 | 1,120 | 0 | 0% | 0.7 km |
| … | ||||||
| Ballyjamesduff | 2,917 | 2 | 1,000 | 0 | 50% | 0.6 km |
| Boyle | 2,915 | 4 | 1,103 | 0 | 0% | 0.2 km |
| Murrough | 2,909 | 22 | 7,826 | 2 | 41% | 1.6 km |
| Skibbereen | 2,903 | 5 | 1,562 | 1 | 0% | 0.8 km |
| Carna | 2,897 | 60 | 18,688 | 4 | 58% | 0.9 km |
| Ballybrack | 2,872 | 41 | 11,728 | 1 | 29% | 0.9 km |
| Gort | 2,870 | 5 | 1,467 | 1 | 20% | 0.7 km |
| Mayfield | 2,846 | 65 | 19,177 | 6 | 45% | 0.3 km |
| Sixmilebridge | 2,832 | 1 | 423 | 0 | 0% | 7.1 km |
| … | ||||||
| Enniskerry | 2,000 | 10 | 2,487 | 0 | 20% | 2.9 km |
Among the 87 other towns, 8 have more pupils at their schools than Carna does. An all-Irish school is within 3 km of 42 of the 88.
Department of Education school lists 2025/26 (preliminary); CSO Census 2022 populations.
Pupil numbers around Carna
Pupils every September at the schools in or within 3 km of the town, each counted at today’s site.
The schools in and around Carna had 22,029 pupils in 2015/16 and 18,688 in 2025/26, fewer than before. Mercy Secondary School grew most: +124% since 2019/20.
Pupils at schools in and around Carna
Department of Education enrolments at 30 September each year, 2015/16 to 2025/26 (preliminary), for every school placed in the area today; schools that have since closed or merged count where they stood.
Schools in the towns around Carna
For each nearby town, its schools in or within 3 km of its outline, with straight-line distances.
| Town | Schools | Pupils | All-Irish | DEIS schools | Nearest post-primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carna | 60 | 18,688 | 4 | 58% | 0.9 km |
| Cherry Orchard 0.5 km | 78 | 26,412 | 4 | 54% | 1.2 km |
| Ballyfermot 0.6 km | 58 | 19,071 | 2 | 57% | 0.4 km |
| Kylemore 0.9 km | 57 | 16,207 | 2 | 60% | 0.5 km |
| Decies 1.4 km | 44 | 11,294 | 1 | 64% | 0.8 km |
| Palmerston 1.6 km | 80 | 33,167 | 7 | 40% | 0.4 km |
| Chapelizod 1.7 km | 154 | 44,846 | 5 | 58% | 0.7 km |
Palmerston has the most schools teaching through Irish nearby: 7. The roll around Carna moved −5% since 2019/20; nearby, Chapelizod grew most (+6%) and Decies least (−5%).
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Which schools count. Every school in Carna or within 3 km of its outline, as the Department places it: families here use them. Schools further out are on the map of each school’s own page.
- The kinds of school. Primary schools take children from junior infants to sixth class, about ages 4 to 12. Post-primary schools teach the Junior and Leaving Certificate, about ages 12 to 18: voluntary secondary schools (mostly with a religious patron), ETB schools and community colleges run by an Education and Training Board, and community and comprehensive schools. Special schools teach children with particular needs.
- Teaching through Irish. All-Irish: every subject taught through Irish, in the Gaeltacht or, outside it, a Gaelscoil or Gaelcholáiste. Partly in Irish: an Irish stream (some classes entirely through Irish) or some subjects through Irish. Every other school teaches Irish as a subject.
- DEIS. DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) gives schools serving disadvantaged areas more teachers, money and support; the Department decides which schools are in it.
- Ethos and patron. Most Irish schools are owned by a patron, mostly a church; the patron sets the school’s ethos. Multi-denominational schools (Educate Together, many ETB schools) teach children of every faith and none together.
- No grade. Section 53 of the Education Act 1998 lets the Minister refuse to release information that would allow schools’ exam results to be compared, and no results are published school by school. So Ireland’s schools have no letters and its towns no School Grade; nothing on this page ranks them.
- What isn’t here. What the UK and French pages show from results, these can’t: results charts, results against pupils’ backgrounds and towns ranked by their schools (no published results), and how full each school is (no capacity is published). Every post-primary school teaches to the Leaving Certificate, so there is no sixth-form split to show.
- Inspections. The Inspectorate’s reports are linked from each school’s page. They give no overall grade, so none is shown.
- The year. The 2025/26 lists are the Department’s preliminary release; numbers can change a little in the final lists.
Questions about schools in Carna
How many schools are there in Carna?
In Carna or within 3 km of it: 40 primary schools, 15 secondary schools and 5 special schools, with 18,688 pupils between them.
Are there schools in Carna that teach through Irish?
Yes, 4: Gaelscoil na Camoige, Coláiste Chilliain and Gaelscoil Chluain Dolcain teach every subject through Irish.
Are there fee-paying secondary schools near Carna?
3 of the 15: Mount Sackville Secondary School, The Kings Hospital and Castleknock College. The others are free.
What is the best school in Carna?
We don’t say. Ireland publishes no exam results school by school, and section 53 of the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them; a ranking would rest on guesses. Each school’s page has its own facts and a link to its inspection reports, and visiting the schools you are weighing is still the best guide.
How do I get a place at a school in Carna?
Apply to each school directly: every school publishes an admission policy and a yearly admission notice with its dates. If it has more applicants than places, it admits on the criteria in its policy.
Sources: Department of Education, school lists 2025/26 (preliminary) and enrolments since 2015/16, CC BY 4.0 · one school placed with OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL). Under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).
Contains Central Statistics Office (CSO) data, Census 2022, and Tailte Éireann boundaries (CSO Urban Areas, Small Areas, local electoral areas, constituencies), under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0).