Photo: Laurel Lodged · CC BY-SA 4.0Castleknock has 3 fee-paying secondary schools in and around it
Around Castleknock, single-sex schools make up 25% of the post-primaries, below both Co. Dublin’s towns (40%) and Irish towns (39%). 39 of its 77 schools are in DEIS, the extra support for schools in disadvantaged areas, against 30% across Ireland. Ireland publishes no school results, and the Education Act 1998 restricts comparing them, so these schools are described here, never graded or ranked.
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 Castleknock’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), Scoil Choilm Community NS (698) and St Michaels Secondary School (646), and 35 more. Who runs them ↓
One school growing fast
Of the schools here, Edmund Rice College has grown fastest, from 135 in 2019/20 to 912. Getting a place ↓
A wide choice at twelve
104 post-primary schools lie within 10 km, so families here have a real choice at twelve; each admits on its own policy. The nearest: Edmund Rice College (0.1 km), Castleknock College (1.5 km) and Mount Sackville Secondary School (1.9 km). Post-primary choices ↓
Drawn from the Department of Education’s lists; none of it judges how well a school teaches.
The 77 schools in and around Castleknock
Here are the schools in Castleknock or within 3 km of it, every one with its own page. Without school-level results from Ireland, the cards show no letters.
Show all 50 primary schools
Who runs Castleknock’s schools
Who runs each school, as listed for 2025/26; the bars give the share of schools of each kind.
56 of Castleknock’s 77 schools have a Catholic ethos, against 80% across Ireland. The patrons with most schools here: Archbishop of Dublin (44), Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB (5) and Le Chéile Schools Trust (4). 39 of the 77 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 77 schools in and around Castleknock 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 Castleknock’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 Castleknock
The schools by teaching language, with Ireland’s share as the black tick.
3 of Castleknock’s 77 schools teach every subject through Irish: S.N. Oilibheir, Coláiste Mhuire and Gaelscoil Bharra.
Who Castleknock’s schools serve
Shares of the pupils at the area’s schools, 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 Castleknock | Co. Dublin | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils at DEIS schools | 39% | 28% | 27% |
| Pupils at all-Irish schools | 3% | 6% | 6% |
| Girls | 50% | 49% | 49% |
| Post-primary pupils at single-sex schools | 26% | 38% | 29% |
| Post-primary pupils at fee-paying schools | 16% | 18% | 6% |
DEIS schools teach 39% of the pupils around Castleknock, 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: 16% here against 6%. The biggest school in DEIS is Phobailscoil Iosolde (764 pupils).
Each of the 77 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 19 patrons of Castleknock’s schools
Patrons own the schools and set their ethos; boards of management run them day to day.
19 patrons run the 77 schools around Castleknock; the largest, Archbishop of Dublin, has 44 of them and 41% of the pupils. Education and Training Boards run 11 of them. Educate Together runs 3.
| Patron | Ethos | Schools | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop of DublinSt Patricks, St Brigids Mxd, S.N. Naomh Mochta, Scoil Thomais, St Canices G, St Francis Xavier Senior, St Raphaels, St Francis Xavier J, Mary, Help of Christians G., Scoil Bride C, Scoil Lorcain B, St Michaels, S.N. Eoin Bosco Buach, S N Naomh Finnin, S.N. Oilibheir, St Louise de Marillac Primary School, St Philips Senior, Scoil Bride C, St Gabriels, Scoil Mhuire Sin, St Patricks, Scoil Bride B, St Patricks Senior School, St Philip the Apostle Junior, S N Naomh Feargal Boys Senior, Scoil Nais Mhuire Sois, S N Banrion na nAingeal 1, Scoil Mhuire, St Michaels Spec School, St. Patrick's Junior NS, Dominican Convent Girls Senior School, S.N. Eoin Bosco Nai Buac, St Josephs G, St Brigids Infant, St Catherines Infant School, St Brigids Senior Girls, Holy Family School for the Deaf, Bainrion na nAingal 2, St Malachys, St Kevins B, Fionnbarra Naofa B., St Oliver Plunkett, St Vincents Home NS, Casa Caterina S S | Catholic | 44 | 11,485 |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETBCastleknock, Luttrellstown, Scoil Choilm Community NS, Rath Dara, Danu Community Special School | Multi-denominational, Inter-denominational | 5 | 3,409 |
| Le Chéile Schools TrustLe Cheile, St Dominics College, St Michaels, Mount Sackville | Catholic | 4 | 3,016 |
| Edmund Rice Schools TrustEdmund Rice College, St Declan's College, Coláiste Mhuire | Catholic | 3 | 1,835 |
| Educate TogetherBroombridge Educate Together, Pelletstown ETNS, Castleknock Educate Together NS | Multi-denominational | 3 | 1,147 |
| City of Dublin ETBKylemore College, Cabra, Coláiste Eoin | Multi-denominational | 3 | 1,000 |
| Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COIScoil Naisunta Chnuacha, Finglas Parochial, Chapelizod | Church of Ireland | 3 | 322 |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB & Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians)Scoil Phobail Chuil Mhin | Inter-denominational | 1 | 1,014 |
| Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians)Castleknock College | Catholic | 1 | 771 |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB & Archbishop of DublinPhobailscoil Iosolde | Inter-denominational | 1 | 764 |
| 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 |
| Dublin & Dún Laoghaire ETB & Sisters of St LouisBlakestown | Inter-denominational | 1 | 563 |
| Le Chéile Schools Trust & Religious Sisters of CharityNew Cross College | Catholic | 1 | 417 |
| Islamic Foundation of IrelandNorth Dublin Muslim | Muslim | 1 | 391 |
| An Foras PátrúnachtaGaelscoil Bharra | Catholic | 1 | 212 |
| Scoil Sinéad Company Limited by GuaranteeScoil Sinead NS | Multi-denominational | 1 | 62 |
| Health Service ExecutivePhoenix Park Specialist School | Catholic | 1 | 17 |
| CrosscareYouth Encounter Project | Catholic | 1 | 14 |
Department of Education school lists: patron 2024/25, ethos 2025/26.
How children get a place in Castleknock
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
Between 2019/20 and now, 21 of the 69 grew by 5% or more and 32 shrank as much, while Ireland’s pupil numbers moved +5%.
All 69 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 Castleknock’s schools
Reports from the Department of Education’s Inspectorate, every school’s linked and none rated
Reports come from whole-school evaluations (teaching, learning, leadership and management), subject inspections and follow-through visits that check earlier advice; gov.ie publishes each one with the school’s response.
Reports say what inspectors found and what should improve, without an overall grade, so none appears here; each of the 77 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 Castleknock
Every post-primary school within 10 km of the town; families choose and apply to each, at about twelve
Within 10 km of Castleknock there are 104 post-primary schools: 63 voluntary secondary schools, 31 ETB schools, 8 community schools and 2 comprehensive schools. Of these, 36 are single-sex: 19 for girls and 17 for boys. Fees are charged at 14 of them. Every subject is taught through Irish at 5 of them.
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmund Rice CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 912 | 0.1 km |
| Castleknock CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 771 | 1.5 km |
| Mount Sackville Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 636 | 1.9 km |
| Le Cheile Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 944 | 2.1 km |
| New Cross CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 417 | 2.5 km |
| Castleknock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,318 | 2.7 km |
| St Dominics CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 790 | 2.9 km |
| Coláiste EoinETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 257 | 3 km |
| The Kings HospitalVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 732 | 3.1 km |
| Scoil Phobail Chuil MhinCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,014 | 3.3 km |
| St Declan's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 651 | 3.3 km |
| Coláiste MhuireVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 272 | 3.4 km |
All 104 post-primary schools within reach
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rath Dara Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 323 | 3.4 km |
| St Michaels Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 646 | 3.5 km |
| Kylemore CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 479 | 3.5 km |
| St. Seton's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Other | Girls and boys | DEIS | 741 | 3.5 km |
| Phobailscoil IosoldeCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 764 | 3.6 km |
| Cabra Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 264 | 3.8 km |
| Luttrellstown Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,027 | 3.9 km |
| Blakestown Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 563 | 4.1 km |
| Beneavin De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 585 | 4.5 km |
| St. Kevin's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 525 | 4.5 km |
| Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 349 | 4.8 km |
| Hartstown Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,120 | 4.9 km |
| St Kevins CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 503 | 4.9 km |
| Collinstown Park Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 630 | 5 km |
| St Vincents C.B.S. GlasnevinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 408 | 5.1 km |
| St Mary's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 830 | 5.2 km |
| St Josephs Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 283 | 5.3 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 289 | 5.5 km |
| C.B.S. James StreetVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 251 | 5.7 km |
| St Pauls C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 244 | 5.7 km |
| Scoil ChaitrionaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 523 | 5.9 km |
| Coláiste Phádraig CBSVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 745 | 5.9 km |
| Meanscoil Iognáid RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 521 | 5.9 km |
| Coláiste Pobail SetantaETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,079 | 6.1 km |
| Trinity Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 564 | 6.1 km |
| Mount Carmel Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 386 | 6.1 km |
| Assumption Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 270 | 6.2 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 6.3 km |
| St Joseph's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 934 | 6.3 km |
| Belvedere College S.JVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 1,011 | 6.3 km |
| Coláiste Cois LifeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 592 | 6.4 km |
| Eriu Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 193 | 6.5 km |
| Hansfield ETSSVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 867 | 6.5 km |
| St. Aidan's C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 725 | 6.6 km |
| Presentation CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 262 | 6.6 km |
| Clogher Road Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 6.6 km |
| St Patricks Cathedral Grammar SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 302 | 6.7 km |
| Kishoge Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 937 | 6.7 km |
| Griffeen Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 576 | 6.7 km |
| Dominican CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 6.7 km |
| Larkin Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 403 | 6.7 km |
| Clonturk CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 968 | 6.8 km |
| Coláiste ChilliainETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 400 | 6.8 km |
| Rosmini Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 139 | 6.8 km |
| O'Connell SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 222 | 6.9 km |
| Moyle Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 763 | 7 km |
| Rosary CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 250 | 7 km |
| Coláiste BrídeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 993 | 7.1 km |
| Christian Brothers, Synge St.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 256 | 7.3 km |
| Lucan Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 966 | 7.3 km |
| Ellenfield Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 150 | 7.3 km |
| Deansrath Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 425 | 7.5 km |
| Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 437 | 7.6 km |
| Maryfield CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 527 | 7.7 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 588 | 7.7 km |
| C.B.S. Westland RowVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 7.7 km |
| St Pauls Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 466 | 7.7 km |
| Catholic University SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 544 | 7.8 km |
| Greenhills CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 186 | 7.8 km |
| St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., RathminesVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 500 | 7.8 km |
| St Josephs C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 310 | 7.9 km |
| Kingswood Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,006 | 7.9 km |
| Marino CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 8 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 407 | 8 km |
| St Louis High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 690 | 8.1 km |
| Árdscoil RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 563 | 8.2 km |
| Coláiste de hÍdeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 266 | 8.4 km |
| Presentation Community CollegeETB · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 443 | 8.4 km |
| Templeogue CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 637 | 8.4 km |
| Mount Temple Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 903 | 8.5 km |
| Adamstown Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 981 | 8.7 km |
| Terenure CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 800 | 8.8 km |
| St. David's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 550 | 8.8 km |
| St Mac Dara's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 915 | 8.9 km |
| Stratford CollegeVoluntary secondary · Jewish | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 189 | 9 km |
| Sandford Park School LtdVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 437 | 9 km |
| St Conleths CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 339 | 9.1 km |
| St Peter's CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,214 | 9.1 km |
| Tallaght Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 840 | 9.1 km |
| Ringsend CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 191 | 9.2 km |
| Our Ladys SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 9.2 km |
| Coolock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 9.4 km |
| The High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 811 | 9.4 km |
| Muckross Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 709 | 9.4 km |
| Gonzaga CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 576 | 9.4 km |
| Marian CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 319 | 9.5 km |
| Chanel CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 451 | 9.8 km |
| St Marks Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 931 | 9.8 km |
| Confey Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 934 | 9.8 km |
| St Marys Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 9.9 km |
| Alexandra CollegeVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls | Fee-paying, Boarding | 664 | 9.9 km |
| Coláiste ChiaráinCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 676 | 10 km |
Department of Education post-primary list 2025/26; straight-line distances from the town’s centre point.
Special schools and classes around Castleknock
7 special schools serve the area: St Vincents Home NS, Phoenix Park Specialist School, Youth Encounter Project, Casa Caterina S S, St Michaels Spec School, Holy Family School for the Deaf and Danu Community Special School, 470 pupils between them. 35 of the 50 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.
Castleknock beside the 101 other Irish towns of 4,400 to 8,600 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Youghal | 8,564 | 5 | 2,077 | 1 | 20% | 1.3 km |
| … | ||||||
| Kells | 6,608 | 6 | 2,154 | 0 | 0% | 0.6 km |
| Ballinasloe | 6,597 | 6 | 2,019 | 1 | 50% | 1.8 km |
| Ballytruckle | 6,563 | 32 | 12,776 | 3 | 41% | 1 km |
| Roscommon | 6,555 | 7 | 2,589 | 1 | 29% | 0.7 km |
| Castleknock | 6,355 | 77 | 27,912 | 3 | 51% | 0.1 km |
| Loughrea | 6,322 | 6 | 2,361 | 1 | 0% | 0.7 km |
| Marino | 6,272 | 117 | 32,982 | 9 | 51% | 0.2 km |
| Sallins | 6,269 | 9 | 5,832 | 1 | 0% | 2.3 km |
| Dock | 6,258 | 45 | 15,206 | 5 | 49% | 0.3 km |
| … | ||||||
| Tivoli | 4,449 | 76 | 23,233 | 10 | 45% | 1 km |
Of the other 101 towns, 10 have more pupils at the schools around them than Castleknock. Within 3 km, 89 of these 102 towns have a school teaching through Irish.
Department of Education school lists 2025/26 (preliminary); CSO Census 2022 populations.
Pupil numbers around Castleknock
Every school in or within 3 km of the town each September, counted where it stands today.
The schools in and around Castleknock had 25,851 pupils in 2015/16 and 27,912 in 2025/26. Edmund Rice College grew most: +576% since 2019/20.
Pupils at schools in and around Castleknock
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 Castleknock
Schools in or within 3 km of each neighbouring town; distances in a straight line.
| Town | Schools | Pupils | All-Irish | DEIS schools | Nearest post-primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castleknock | 77 | 27,912 | 3 | 51% | 0.1 km |
| Ashtown 2.3 km | 97 | 28,864 | 8 | 52% | 0.7 km |
| Carpenterstown 2.4 km | 102 | 40,675 | 5 | 40% | 0.3 km |
| Blanchardstown 2.6 km | 91 | 36,302 | 5 | 44% | 0.7 km |
| Finglas South 3 km | 99 | 29,161 | 9 | 57% | 0.5 km |
| Chapelizod 3.3 km | 154 | 44,846 | 5 | 58% | 0.7 km |
| Ballyfermot 3.5 km | 58 | 19,071 | 2 | 57% | 0.4 km |
Finglas South has the most schools teaching through Irish nearby: 9. Pupils around Castleknock: +2% since 2019/20. Among the neighbours, Finglas South led (+6%) and Carpenterstown trailed (−1%).
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Which schools count. Every school in Castleknock 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 Castleknock
How many schools are there in Castleknock?
In Castleknock or within 3 km of it: 50 primary schools, 20 secondary schools and 7 special schools, with 27,912 pupils between them.
Are there schools in Castleknock that teach through Irish?
Yes, 3: S.N. Oilibheir, Coláiste Mhuire and Gaelscoil Bharra teach every subject through Irish.
Are there fee-paying secondary schools near Castleknock?
3 of the 20: Castleknock College, Mount Sackville Secondary School and The Kings Hospital. The others are free.
What is the best school in Castleknock?
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 Castleknock?
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).