Photo: RustyTheDog · CC BY-SA 3.0Phibsborough has 6 fee-paying secondary schools in and around it
Around Phibsborough, 51% of schools are in DEIS, above both Co. Dublin’s towns (40%) and Irish towns (35%). DEIS, the extra support for schools in disadvantaged areas, reaches 75 of its 146 schools; across Ireland, 30%. With no school results published in Ireland, and the Education Act 1998 restricting comparisons of them, these schools are described, not graded or ranked.
Schools in the town or within 3 km of its outline, Department of Education lists for 2025/26; the Ireland figures cover all schools listed.
What stands out about Phibsborough’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: Belvedere College S.J (1,011), Loreto College (588), Catholic University School (544) and St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., Rathmines (500), and 2 more. 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: St Mary's Secondary School (830), St Christopher's NS (598), Beneavin De La Salle College (585) and Scoil Chaitriona (523), and 71 more. Who runs them ↓
A wide choice at twelve
Families here can choose among 125 post-primary schools within 10 km of the town, of more than one kind; each admits on its own published policy, so applying to more than one is common. The nearest: Belvedere College S.J (0.5 km), Mount Carmel Secondary School (0.5 km) and St Pauls C.B.S. (0.8 km). Post-primary choices ↓
From the Department of Education’s school lists: facts, not judgements of how well a school teaches.
The 146 schools in and around Phibsborough
Here are the schools in Phibsborough or within 3 km of it, every one with its own page. Ireland publishes no school-by-school results, which is why these cards have no letters.
Show all 39 secondary schools
Show all 93 primary schools
Who runs Phibsborough’s schools
Each school’s ethos, 2025/26: the bars show the share of schools of each kind.
111 of Phibsborough’s 146 schools have a Catholic ethos, against 80% across Ireland. The patrons with most schools here: Archbishop of Dublin (76), Edmund Rice Schools Trust (12) and Educate Together (9). 75 of the 146 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 146 schools in and around Phibsborough 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 Phibsborough’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 Phibsborough
The schools by teaching language, with Ireland’s share as the black tick.
12 of Phibsborough’s 146 schools teach every subject through Irish: Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire, Scoil Chaoimhin and Gaelscoil Áine.
Who Phibsborough’s schools serve
How the area’s pupils divide, against 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 Phibsborough | Co. Dublin | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils at DEIS schools | 44% | 28% | 27% |
| Pupils at all-Irish schools | 7% | 6% | 6% |
| Girls | 47% | 49% | 49% |
| Post-primary pupils at single-sex schools | 59% | 38% | 29% |
| Post-primary pupils at fee-paying schools | 19% | 18% | 6% |
DEIS schools teach 44% of the pupils around Phibsborough, a larger share than Ireland’s 27% (Co. Dublin: 28%). Set beside Ireland, post-primary pupils at single-sex schools stand out most: 59% against 29%. The largest DEIS school here is St Mary's Secondary School, with 830 pupils.
Each of the 146 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 29 patrons of Phibsborough’s schools
Patrons own the schools and set their ethos; boards of management run them day to day.
The schools around Phibsborough answer to 29 patrons, and Archbishop of Dublin leads with 76 of the 146 schools and 39% of their pupils. 8 are ETB schools. Educate Together runs 9.
| Patron | Ethos | Schools | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop of DublinSt Christopher's NS, St. Louis, Holy Child, Mother of Divine Grace, St Patricks N School, St Peters, St Brigids Convent, Scoil na Croi Naofa, Corpus Christi, Stanhope Street Primary School, St Columbas Con G & I, S.N. Brighde, Mary, Help of Christians G., S N Mhuire na mBrathar, St Vincents de Paul Junior, St Vincent de Paul Senior School, Gardiner Street Convent, Scoil an Leinbh Iosa Boys Seniors, S.N. Eoin Bosco Buach, St. James's Primary School, Scoil Mobhi, St. Vincent's Primary School, St Brigids Primary School, Presentation Primary School, St Marys, Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1, St Josephs Mxd, Marist, Gaelscoil Inse Chor, S.N. San Vinseann Cailin, Inchicore, Our Lady of Victories Infant, Muire Og 2 Loreto Con, Bantiarna na mBuanna Girls, Scoil Treasa Naofa, Bantiarna na mBuanna Boys, St Audoens, St Gabriels, Presentation Primary School, St Clares Convent, Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire, St Laurence O'Toole's, Scoil na mBrathar, Scoil Ui Chonaill Boys Seniors, Rutland, City Quay, Dominican Convent Girls Senior School, S.N. Eoin Bosco Nai Buac, St Patricks Girls, St Ciarans Spec Sch, St Catherines Infant School, Naomh Padraig Boys, Scoil Caitriona na mBraithre, Holy Family School for the Deaf, St Malachys, Fionnbarra Naofa B., Scoil na Mbrathar Boys Senior School, St Joseph¿s Primary School, An Edmund Rice School, St Oliver Plunkett, Sancta Maria C B S, Catherine Mc Auley N Sc, An Taonad Reamhscoile, St Vincents Inf Boys, Christ the King B, St John of God Sp Sch, Scoil Iosagain Boys Senior, Christ the King Girls Senior School, Naomh Lorcan O Tuathail Senior Boys, Hospital School CHI at Temple Street, St Josephs for Blind, Christ the King I G, St Declans Special Sch, Casa Caterina S S, Henrietta Street School, St L O Tooles 2 Spec, St Joseph's Adolescent School | Catholic | 76 | 15,523 |
| Edmund Rice Schools TrustSt. Aidan's C.B.S., St Declan's College, Árdscoil Rís, St Kevins College, St Vincents C.B.S. Glasnevin, St Josephs C.B.S., Coláiste Mhuire, Christian Brothers, Synge St., C.B.S. James Street, St Pauls C.B.S., O'Connell School, C.B.S. Westland Row | Catholic | 12 | 4,610 |
| Educate TogetherDublin 7 Educate Together NS, Harolds Cross Educate Together, Grace Park Educate Together, Glasnevin Educate Together NS, Canal Way Educate Together, Broombridge Educate Together, Harcourt Terrace Educate Together, Paradise Place ETNS, Dublin 6 Clonskeagh and Dublin 6W Primary School | Multi-denominational | 9 | 3,258 |
| Le Chéile Schools TrustSt Mary's, Dominican College, St Dominics College, St Louis High School, Beneavin De La Salle College, Maryfield College, Scoil Chaitriona | Catholic | 7 | 4,744 |
| City of Dublin ETBClonturk College, Larkin, Marino College, Clogher Road, Cabra, Ellenfield, An Cosan CSS | Multi-denominational, Inter-denominational | 7 | 2,435 |
| An Foras PátrúnachtaGaelscoil Ui Earcain, Gaelscoil Bharra, Gaelscoil Lios na nOg, Gaelscoil Áine, Gaelscoil Eoin | Catholic, Multi-denominational | 5 | 888 |
| Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COISt Catherines West, St Columbas N.S. Mxd, Glasnevin, Drumcondra | Church of Ireland | 4 | 447 |
| Minister for Education & SkillsCentral Senior Mxd, Central Infs School, Scoil Chaoimhin | Catholic | 3 | 444 |
| Loreto Education TrustLoreto College, Loreto College | Catholic | 2 | 908 |
| Religious Sisters of CharityMount Carmel, St Josephs | Catholic | 2 | 669 |
| Society of Jesus (Jesuits)Belvedere College S.J | Catholic | 1 | 1,011 |
| Minister for EducationMount Temple Comprehensive School | Church of Ireland | 1 | 903 |
| Marist Education AuthorityCatholic University School | Catholic | 1 | 544 |
| The Spiritan Education TrustSt. Mary's College C.S.Sp., Rathmines | Catholic | 1 | 500 |
| Board of Governors of Sandford Park SchoolSandford Park School Ltd | Inter-denominational | 1 | 437 |
| Griffith Barracks Multi-denominational School Company Limited by GuaranteeGriffith Barracks Multi D School | Multi-denominational | 1 | 403 |
| Islamic Foundation of IrelandNorth Dublin Muslim | Muslim | 1 | 391 |
| St Conleth's LtdSt Conleths College | Catholic | 1 | 339 |
| Board of Governors of St Patrick's Cathedral Grammar SchoolSt Patricks Cathedral Grammar School | Church of Ireland | 1 | 302 |
| CEISTPresentation College | Catholic | 1 | 262 |
| The Ranelagh Multidenominational AssociationRanelagh Multi Denom | Multi-denominational | 1 | 221 |
| The North Dublin National School ProjectNorth Dublin N.S. Project | Multi-denominational | 1 | 214 |
| City of Dublin Education and Training BoardSouth City CNS | Multi-denominational | 1 | 148 |
| City of Dublin ETB & Rosminian FathersRosmini | Inter-denominational | 1 | 139 |
| The John Scottus Education Trust Company Limited by GuaranteeJohn Scottus | Multi-denominational | 1 | 136 |
| Minister of Abbey Presbyterian ChurchLindsay Road | Presbyterian | 1 | 95 |
| Joint patronage between the Kirk Session of Clontarf and the Scots Presbyterian ChurchHowth Rd Mxd | Presbyterian | 1 | 89 |
| St Michael's HouseSt Michaels Hse Spec Sc | Catholic | 1 | 64 |
| Dean of St Patrick's CatheralSt Patricks | Church of Ireland | 1 | 24 |
Department of Education school lists: patron 2024/25, ethos 2025/26.
How children get a place in Phibsborough
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 6 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 127 schools, 41 have grown by at least 5% since 2019/20 and 54 have lost as much; Ireland’s pupils changed by +5%.
All 127 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 Phibsborough’s schools
The Department of Education’s Inspectorate: every school’s reports linked, 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 146 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 Phibsborough
All post-primaries within 10 km; at about twelve, families choose and apply school by school
125 post-primary schools are within 10 km of Phibsborough: 89 voluntary secondary schools, 23 ETB schools, 10 community schools and 3 comprehensive schools. Of these, 53 are single-sex: 29 for girls and 24 for boys. Fees are charged at 24 of them. Every subject is taught through Irish at 8 of them.
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belvedere College S.JVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 1,011 | 0.5 km |
| Mount Carmel Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 386 | 0.5 km |
| St Pauls C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 244 | 0.8 km |
| Larkin Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 403 | 0.9 km |
| St Josephs Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 283 | 0.9 km |
| O'Connell SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 222 | 1.2 km |
| St Vincents C.B.S. GlasnevinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 408 | 1.4 km |
| St Patricks Cathedral Grammar SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 302 | 1.9 km |
| C.B.S. Westland RowVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 2 km |
| Scoil ChaitrionaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 523 | 2.1 km |
| Cabra Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 264 | 2.2 km |
| Rosmini Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 139 | 2.2 km |
All 125 post-primary schools within reach
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Mary's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 830 | 2.2 km |
| C.B.S. James StreetVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 251 | 2.2 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 588 | 2.3 km |
| Presentation CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 262 | 2.3 km |
| Dominican CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 2.4 km |
| Coláiste MhuireVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 272 | 2.5 km |
| St Josephs C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 310 | 2.5 km |
| Catholic University SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 544 | 2.5 km |
| St Declan's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 651 | 2.5 km |
| Christian Brothers, Synge St.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 256 | 2.5 km |
| Marino CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 2.6 km |
| Clonturk CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 968 | 2.9 km |
| St Dominics CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 790 | 3 km |
| Árdscoil RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 563 | 3.1 km |
| Maryfield CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 527 | 3.1 km |
| St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., RathminesVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 500 | 3.2 km |
| St Kevins CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 503 | 3.3 km |
| Ringsend CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 191 | 3.3 km |
| St. Aidan's C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 725 | 3.3 km |
| Mount Temple Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 903 | 3.4 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 3.5 km |
| Ellenfield Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 150 | 3.6 km |
| Clogher Road Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 3.7 km |
| Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 437 | 3.7 km |
| St Conleths CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 339 | 3.7 km |
| Marian CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 319 | 3.8 km |
| Beneavin De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 585 | 3.8 km |
| St Louis High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 690 | 3.9 km |
| Sandford Park School LtdVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 437 | 4 km |
| St Michaels Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 646 | 4 km |
| Trinity Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 564 | 4.1 km |
| Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 349 | 4.1 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 407 | 4.2 km |
| Muckross Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 709 | 4.2 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 289 | 4.4 km |
| St. David's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 550 | 4.4 km |
| Coláiste EoinETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 257 | 4.4 km |
| Sandymount Park Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 437 | 4.6 km |
| Gonzaga CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 576 | 4.6 km |
| Holy Faith Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 647 | 4.8 km |
| Rosary CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 250 | 4.9 km |
| St Marys Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 5.1 km |
| Presentation Community CollegeETB · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 443 | 5.2 km |
| Stratford CollegeVoluntary secondary · Jewish | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 189 | 5.2 km |
| Alexandra CollegeVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls | Fee-paying, Boarding | 664 | 5.3 km |
| New Cross CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 417 | 5.3 km |
| The Teresian SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 230 | 5.4 km |
| St Pauls CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 650 | 5.4 km |
| St Michaels CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 731 | 5.4 km |
| Chanel CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 451 | 5.6 km |
| Meanscoil Iognáid RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 521 | 5.6 km |
| Kylemore CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 479 | 5.6 km |
| Assumption Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 270 | 5.6 km |
| The High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 811 | 5.6 km |
| Mercy College CoolockVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 402 | 5.7 km |
| Edmund Rice CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 912 | 5.8 km |
| Coolock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 5.8 km |
| St. Seton's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Other | Girls and boys | DEIS | 741 | 5.8 km |
| Mount Sackville Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 636 | 5.9 km |
| Terenure CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 800 | 6.1 km |
| St Kilian's Deutsche SchuleVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 475 | 6.4 km |
| Templeogue CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 637 | 6.5 km |
| Our Ladys SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 6.5 km |
| Our Lady's Grove Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 295 | 6.6 km |
| De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 463 | 6.6 km |
| Castleknock CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 771 | 6.7 km |
| St Pauls Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 466 | 6.8 km |
| Manor House SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 652 | 6.8 km |
| Greenhills CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 186 | 7 km |
| Gaelcholáiste an PhiarsaighVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 296 | 7.2 km |
| Loreto High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 625 | 7.2 km |
| St Andrews CollegeVoluntary secondary · Presbyterian | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 1,011 | 7.2 km |
| Phobailscoil IosoldeCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 764 | 7.2 km |
| Goatstown Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 366 | 7.2 km |
| Coláiste EoinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Gaelcholáiste | 517 | 7.3 km |
| Coláiste ÍosagáinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Gaelcholáiste | 488 | 7.4 km |
| Willow Park SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 206 | 7.4 km |
| Árdscoil La SalleVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 289 | 7.5 km |
| The Donahies Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 488 | 7.6 km |
| St Mac Dara's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 915 | 7.6 km |
| Mount Anville Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 726 | 7.7 km |
| The Kings HospitalVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 732 | 7.8 km |
| Le Cheile Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 944 | 7.8 km |
| Blackrock CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 1,041 | 7.9 km |
| Coláiste ÉannaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 618 | 8 km |
| Dominican CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 521 | 8.1 km |
| Coláiste de hÍdeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 266 | 8.1 km |
| Tallaght Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 840 | 8.3 km |
| Castleknock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,318 | 8.3 km |
| Sancta Maria CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 577 | 8.3 km |
| Belmayne Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 595 | 8.3 km |
| Ballinteer Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 415 | 8.4 km |
| Oatlands CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 623 | 8.4 km |
| St. Tiernan's Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 368 | 8.6 km |
| St Benildus CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 949 | 8.6 km |
| Collinstown Park Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 630 | 8.6 km |
| Kingswood Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,006 | 8.8 km |
| Rath Dara Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 323 | 8.9 km |
| Grange Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 553 | 8.9 km |
| Gaelcholáiste ReachrannETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 453 | 8.9 km |
| Wesley CollegeVoluntary secondary · Methodist | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 942 | 8.9 km |
| St. Kevin's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 525 | 9.1 km |
| Coláiste BrídeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 993 | 9.1 km |
| Scoil Phobail Chuil MhinCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,014 | 9.1 km |
| St. Colmcille's Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 727 | 9.2 km |
| St Raphaela's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 637 | 9.2 km |
| Moyle Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 763 | 9.4 km |
| Luttrellstown Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,027 | 9.5 km |
| Coláiste ChilliainETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 400 | 9.6 km |
| Newpark Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 884 | 9.8 km |
| Blakestown Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 563 | 9.9 km |
| Pobalscoil NeasáinCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 831 | 10 km |
| St Columba's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 357 | 10 km |
Department of Education post-primary list 2025/26; straight-line distances from the town’s centre point.
Special schools and classes around Phibsborough
14 special schools serve the area: Henrietta Street School, Hospital School CHI at Temple Street, An Cosan CSS, An Taonad Reamhscoile, St Joseph's Adolescent School, St L O Tooles 2 Spec, St Josephs for Blind N.S., St Michaels Hse Spec Sc, Catherine Mc Auley N Sc, St Ciarans Spec Sch, Holy Family School for the Deaf, St John of God Sp Sch, St Declans Special Sch and Casa Caterina S S, 900 pupils between them. 39 of the 93 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.
Phibsborough beside the 87 other Irish towns of 8,200 to 15,700 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashbourne | 15,680 | 13 | 6,695 | 2 | 0% | 1.1 km |
| … | ||||||
| Summerhill | 11,911 | 118 | 31,929 | 8 | 51% | 0.3 km |
| Cavan | 11,741 | 14 | 4,634 | 1 | 29% | 1.2 km |
| Ballygall | 11,704 | 118 | 32,759 | 10 | 55% | 0.4 km |
| Kilnamanagh | 11,703 | 112 | 38,733 | 8 | 48% | 0.4 km |
| Phibsborough | 11,657 | 146 | 40,148 | 12 | 51% | 0.5 km |
| Gorey | 11,517 | 8 | 4,875 | 1 | 13% | 0.6 km |
| Tramore | 11,277 | 5 | 2,549 | 1 | 0% | 0.4 km |
| Drumcondra | 11,149 | 151 | 41,836 | 12 | 58% | 0.3 km |
| Ronanstown | 11,130 | 76 | 32,256 | 6 | 40% | 0.2 km |
| … | ||||||
| Dalkey | 8,275 | 43 | 12,331 | 1 | 28% | 0.9 km |
Among the 87 other towns, 4 have more pupils at their schools than Phibsborough does. An all-Irish school is within 3 km of 86 of the 88.
Department of Education school lists 2025/26 (preliminary); CSO Census 2022 populations.
Pupil numbers around Phibsborough
Each September’s pupils at every school in or within 3 km of the town, counted where the school stands today.
The schools in and around Phibsborough had 38,234 pupils in 2015/16 and 40,148 in 2025/26. Harcourt Terrace Educate Together National School grew most: +852% since 2019/20.
Pupils at schools in and around Phibsborough
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 Phibsborough
Each town’s schools in or within 3 km of its outline; distances as the crow flies.
| Town | Schools | Pupils | All-Irish | DEIS schools | Nearest post-primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phibsborough | 146 | 40,148 | 12 | 51% | 0.5 km |
| Parnell Square 0.5 km | 124 | 33,167 | 9 | 52% | 0.1 km |
| Stoneybatter 0.9 km | 142 | 37,206 | 11 | 53% | 0.1 km |
| Summerhill 0.9 km | 118 | 31,929 | 8 | 51% | 0.3 km |
| O'Connell Street 1 km | 124 | 33,516 | 11 | 52% | 0.5 km |
| Cabra East 1.2 km | 157 | 40,651 | 10 | 63% | 0.9 km |
| Ballybough 1.4 km | 126 | 34,469 | 8 | 52% | 0.2 km |
The roll around Phibsborough moved +7% since 2019/20; nearby, Parnell Square grew most (+10%) and Cabra East least (+3%).
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Which schools count. Every school in Phibsborough 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 Phibsborough
How many schools are there in Phibsborough?
In Phibsborough or within 3 km of it: 93 primary schools, 39 secondary schools and 14 special schools, with 40,148 pupils between them.
Are there schools in Phibsborough that teach through Irish?
Yes, 12: Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire, Scoil Chaoimhin and Gaelscoil Áine teach every subject through Irish.
Are there fee-paying secondary schools near Phibsborough?
6 of the 39: Belvedere College S.J, Loreto College, Catholic University School and St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., Rathmines. The others are free.
What is the best school in Phibsborough?
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 Phibsborough?
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).