Photo: Hohenloh · CC BY-SA 3.0Rathmines West has 15 fee-paying secondary schools in and around it
In or within 3 km of Rathmines West: 80 primary schools, 41 secondary schools and 15 special schools, 39,314 pupils in all. Around Rathmines West, single-sex schools make up 46% of the post-primaries, above both Co. Dublin’s towns (40%) and Irish towns (39%). 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 Rathmines West’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), The High School (811), Terenure College (800) and St Michaels College (731), and 11 more. Every school ↓
A wide choice at twelve
Within 10 km of the town there are 127 post-primary schools to choose from, of different kinds; each sets its own admission policy, and many families apply to several. The nearest: St Louis High School (0 km), Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary School (0.6 km) and St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., Rathmines (0.7 km). Post-primary choices ↓
Facts from the Department of Education’s lists; nothing here judges how well a school teaches.
The 136 schools in and around Rathmines West
Here are the schools in Rathmines West or within 3 km of it, every one with its own page. Ireland doesn’t publish results for individual schools, so none of these carries a letter.
Show all 41 secondary schools
Show all 80 primary schools
Where the 136 schools in and around Rathmines West 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 Rathmines West’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 Rathmines West
The schools by teaching language, with Ireland’s share as the black tick.
9 of Rathmines West’s 136 schools teach every subject through Irish: S.N. Brighde, Gaelscoil Lios na nOg and Gaelscoil Mologa.
Who Rathmines West’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 Rathmines West | Co. Dublin | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils at DEIS schools | 28% | 28% | 27% |
| Pupils at all-Irish schools | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| Girls | 48% | 49% | 49% |
| Post-primary pupils at single-sex schools | 59% | 38% | 29% |
| Post-primary pupils at fee-paying schools | 46% | 18% | 6% |
DEIS schools teach 28% of the pupils around Rathmines West, much as across Ireland (27%; Co. Dublin: 28%). Set beside Ireland, post-primary pupils at fee-paying schools stand out most: 46% against 6%. The largest DEIS school here is St Christopher's NS, with 598 pupils.
Each of the 136 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.
Who runs Rathmines West’s schools
Ethos as listed for 2025/26: each bar splits the schools by who runs them.
100 of Rathmines West’s 136 schools have a Catholic ethos, against 80% across Ireland. The patrons with most schools here: Archbishop of Dublin (64), Educate Together (8) and City of Dublin ETB (6). 51 of the 136 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.
The 35 patrons of Rathmines West’s schools
Patrons own the schools and set their ethos; boards of management run them day to day.
The schools around Rathmines West answer to 35 patrons, and Archbishop of Dublin leads with 64 of the 136 schools and 39% of their pupils. 6 are ETB schools. Educate Together runs 8.
| Patron | Ethos | Schools | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archbishop of DublinSt Christopher's NS, St. Louis, St Marys Central, St Pius X G, St Pius X N.S. Boys, St Patrick GNS, Bishop Galvin, Marley Grange, Clochar Loreto, Bishop Shanahan, Our lady's Grove Primary School, Harolds Cross, Stanhope Street Primary School, Ballyroan B, Presentation Primary School, Scoil Mhuire Boys, St Josephs Boys, S.N. Brighde, Scoil Úna Naofa, St. James's Primary School, Holy Spirit Junior Primary School, Holy Cross, St Damiens, Gaelscoil Mologa, St Brigids Primary School, Presentation Primary School, Star of the Sea, Scoil Mhuire Ogh 1, Marist, Scoil Naisiunta an Dea Aoire, Gaelscoil Inse Chor, Muire Og 2 Loreto Con, Goldenbridge Convent, Our Ladys, Scoil Treasa Naofa, St Audoens, St Gabriels, Presentation Primary School, St Clares Convent, Gaelscoil Cholaiste Mhuire, St Laurence O'Toole's, Scoil na mBrathar, Rutland, City Quay, St Patricks Girls, Scoil Eoin, Naomh Padraig Boys, Our Lady of Good Counsel Girls Senior School, Scoil Caitriona na mBraithre, Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Scoil na Mbrathar Boys Senior School, Lady of Good Counsel Boys Senior, Sancta Maria C B S, Catherine Mc Auley N Sc, An Taonad Reamhscoile, St John of God Sp Sch, Scoil Iosagain Boys Senior, St Peters Special Sch, Naomh Lorcan O Tuathail Senior Boys, Hospital School CHI at Temple Street, Our Lady of Hope School, St Declans Special Sch, Henrietta Street School, St L O Tooles 2 Spec | Catholic | 64 | 15,282 |
| Educate TogetherHarolds Cross Educate Together, Canal Way Educate Together, Goatstown Educate Together, Harcourt Terrace Educate Together, Paradise Place ETNS, Rathfarnham Educate Together, Dublin 6 Clonskeagh and Dublin 6W Primary School, Goatstown Stillorgan Primary School | Multi-denominational | 8 | 2,260 |
| City of Dublin ETBPresentation, Larkin, Clogher Road, Ringsend College, Solas Hospital School, An Cosan CSS | Catholic, Inter-denominational, Multi-denominational | 6 | 1,488 |
| Le Chéile Schools TrustOur Ladys School, Muckross Park College, St Louis High School, De La Salle College, Our Lady's Grove | Catholic | 5 | 2,956 |
| Edmund Rice Schools TrustColáiste Éanna, Christian Brothers, Synge St., C.B.S. James Street, St Pauls C.B.S., C.B.S. Westland Row | Catholic | 5 | 1,574 |
| Archbishop of Dublin & Bishop of Glendalough COIRathfarnham Parish, S.N. Paroiste Maitiu Nfa, Sandford Parish, St Catherines West, Zion Parish Primary School | Church of Ireland | 5 | 907 |
| An Foras PátrúnachtaGaelscoil na Fuinseoige, Gaelcholáiste an Phiarsaigh, Gaelscoil Lios na nOg, Gaelscoil Eoin | Multi-denominational, Catholic | 4 | 989 |
| The Spiritan Education TrustSt Michaels College, Templeogue College, St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., Rathmines | Catholic | 3 | 1,868 |
| Loreto Education TrustLoreto High School, Loreto College, Loreto College | Catholic | 3 | 1,533 |
| Religious Sisters of CharityMount Carmel, St Josephs, Rosary College | Catholic | 3 | 919 |
| Minister for Education & SkillsCentral Senior Mxd, Central Infs School, Scoil Chaoimhin | Catholic | 3 | 444 |
| Society of Jesus (Jesuits)Belvedere College S.J, Gonzaga College | Catholic | 2 | 1,587 |
| CEISTOur Lady Of Mercy, Presentation College | Catholic | 2 | 551 |
| Dublin Talmud TorahStratford College, Scoil Naisiunta Stratford | Jewish | 2 | 277 |
| Board of Governors of the High SchoolThe High School | Church of Ireland | 1 | 811 |
| Carmelite Order (Irish Province)Terenure College | Catholic | 1 | 800 |
| Council of Alexandra CollegeAlexandra College | Church of Ireland | 1 | 664 |
| Marist Education AuthorityCatholic University School | Catholic | 1 | 544 |
| Der Deutsche SchulvereinSt Kilian's Deutsche Schule | Inter-denominational | 1 | 475 |
| Board of Governors of Sandford Park SchoolSandford Park School Ltd | Inter-denominational | 1 | 437 |
| Islamic Foundation of IrelandIslamic | Muslim | 1 | 414 |
| Griffith Barracks Multi-denominational School Company Limited by GuaranteeGriffith Barracks Multi D School | Multi-denominational | 1 | 403 |
| St Conleth's LtdSt Conleths College | Catholic | 1 | 339 |
| Marist Brothers (Province of West Central Europe)Marian College | Catholic | 1 | 319 |
| Board of Governors of St Patrick's Cathedral Grammar SchoolSt Patricks Cathedral Grammar School | Church of Ireland | 1 | 302 |
| Teresian Association IrelandThe Teresian School | Catholic | 1 | 230 |
| The Ranelagh Multidenominational AssociationRanelagh Multi Denom | Multi-denominational | 1 | 221 |
| Board of Governors of the Church of Ireland College of EducationKildare Place | Church of Ireland | 1 | 189 |
| City of Dublin Education and Training BoardSouth City CNS | Multi-denominational | 1 | 148 |
| The John Scottus Education Trust Company Limited by GuaranteeJohn Scottus | Multi-denominational | 1 | 136 |
| Conference of Methodist Church in IrelandRathgar | Methodist | 1 | 94 |
| Spiritan Education TrustLibermann Spiritan School | Catholic | 1 | 51 |
| Enable Ireland Disability ServicesEnable Ireland Sandymount School | Catholic | 1 | 49 |
| Cheeverstown School Company limited by guaranteeCheeverstown Sp Sch | Catholic | 1 | 29 |
| 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 Rathmines West
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 15 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
39 schools here have grown by 5% or more since 2019/20, 48 have shrunk by as much, out of 115; across Ireland: +5%.
All 115 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 Rathmines West’s schools
The Inspectorate’s published reports for each school, linked, without ratings
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 136 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 Rathmines West
Post-primary schools within 10 km of the town; children move at about twelve, and families apply to each school
Within 10 km of Rathmines West there are 127 post-primary schools: 94 voluntary secondary schools, 21 ETB schools, 9 community schools and 3 comprehensive schools. 59 of them are single-sex, 32 for girls and 27 for boys. Fees are charged at 28 of them. Every subject is taught through Irish at 7 of them.
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Louis High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 690 | 0 km |
| Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 437 | 0.6 km |
| St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., RathminesVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 500 | 0.7 km |
| Sandford Park School LtdVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 437 | 1.3 km |
| Stratford CollegeVoluntary secondary · Jewish | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 189 | 1.3 km |
| Christian Brothers, Synge St.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 256 | 1.4 km |
| Gonzaga CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 576 | 1.5 km |
| Presentation Community CollegeETB · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 443 | 1.6 km |
| Presentation CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 262 | 1.7 km |
| The High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 811 | 1.7 km |
| Clogher Road Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 1.8 km |
| Alexandra CollegeVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls | Fee-paying, Boarding | 664 | 1.8 km |
All 127 post-primary schools within reach
| School | Takes | Also | Pupils | Away |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic University SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 544 | 1.8 km |
| Muckross Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 709 | 1.8 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 588 | 2 km |
| St Patricks Cathedral Grammar SchoolVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 302 | 2 km |
| Loreto CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 2.1 km |
| St Conleths CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 339 | 2.1 km |
| C.B.S. James StreetVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 251 | 2.5 km |
| Rosary CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 250 | 2.5 km |
| Terenure CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 800 | 2.6 km |
| De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 463 | 2.7 km |
| C.B.S. Westland RowVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 2.8 km |
| The Teresian SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 230 | 2.9 km |
| Our Ladys SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 2.9 km |
| Marian CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 319 | 3.2 km |
| Our Lady's Grove Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 295 | 3.3 km |
| St Pauls C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 244 | 3.3 km |
| Gaelcholáiste an PhiarsaighVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 296 | 3.3 km |
| Loreto High SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 625 | 3.3 km |
| St Kilian's Deutsche SchuleVoluntary secondary · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 475 | 3.3 km |
| Templeogue CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 637 | 3.4 km |
| Mount Carmel Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 386 | 3.4 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 289 | 3.4 km |
| St Michaels CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 731 | 3.5 km |
| Larkin Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 403 | 3.5 km |
| St Josephs Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 283 | 3.6 km |
| Goatstown Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 366 | 3.8 km |
| Belvedere College S.JVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 1,011 | 3.8 km |
| Mercy Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 349 | 3.8 km |
| Ringsend CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 191 | 4 km |
| Sandymount Park Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 437 | 4 km |
| Assumption Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 270 | 4.1 km |
| Meanscoil Iognáid RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 521 | 4.2 km |
| O'Connell SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 222 | 4.3 km |
| Coláiste ÉannaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 618 | 4.3 km |
| St Pauls Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 466 | 4.4 km |
| Mount Anville Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 726 | 4.4 km |
| Ballinteer Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 415 | 4.5 km |
| Greenhills CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 186 | 4.6 km |
| Sancta Maria CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 577 | 4.6 km |
| St Mac Dara's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 915 | 4.7 km |
| Coláiste EoinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Gaelcholáiste | 517 | 4.8 km |
| Coláiste ÍosagáinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Gaelcholáiste | 488 | 4.9 km |
| St Andrews CollegeVoluntary secondary · Presbyterian | Girls and boys | Fee-paying | 1,011 | 4.9 km |
| St. Tiernan's Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 368 | 4.9 km |
| Wesley CollegeVoluntary secondary · Methodist | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 942 | 5.2 km |
| St Benildus CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 949 | 5.2 km |
| St Vincents C.B.S. GlasnevinVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 408 | 5.2 km |
| Willow Park SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 206 | 5.2 km |
| St Josephs C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 310 | 5.3 km |
| Coláiste MhuireVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 272 | 5.4 km |
| Tallaght Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 840 | 5.4 km |
| Marino CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 297 | 5.4 km |
| St Declan's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 651 | 5.5 km |
| Cabra Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 264 | 5.5 km |
| Oatlands CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 623 | 5.5 km |
| St. Colmcille's Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 727 | 5.6 km |
| Blackrock CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 1,041 | 5.7 km |
| Coláiste de hÍdeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 266 | 5.7 km |
| Rosmini Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 139 | 5.7 km |
| Dominican CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 521 | 5.8 km |
| Scoil ChaitrionaVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste, DEIS | 523 | 6 km |
| Árdscoil RísVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 563 | 6 km |
| Kylemore CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 479 | 6 km |
| St Raphaela's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 637 | 6 km |
| Dominican CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 799 | 6.1 km |
| St Mary's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 830 | 6.1 km |
| St Dominics CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 790 | 6.1 km |
| St Columba's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 357 | 6.1 km |
| Mount Temple Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 903 | 6.1 km |
| St. Seton's Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Other | Girls and boys | DEIS | 741 | 6.2 km |
| Holy Faith Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 647 | 6.5 km |
| Maryfield CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 527 | 6.5 km |
| Clonturk CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 968 | 6.6 km |
| Rockbrook Park SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 186 | 6.9 km |
| Kingswood Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,006 | 7 km |
| St. Aidan's C.B.S.Voluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 725 | 7.1 km |
| St Kevins CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 503 | 7.1 km |
| Mount Sackville Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 636 | 7.2 km |
| Firhouse Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 825 | 7.2 km |
| Ellenfield Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 150 | 7.2 km |
| Firhouse Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 411 | 7.3 km |
| Rosemont SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 307 | 7.3 km |
| Newpark Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | – | 884 | 7.4 km |
| St. David's CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 550 | 7.5 km |
| St Michaels Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 646 | 7.6 km |
| Beneavin De La Salle CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | DEIS | 585 | 7.6 km |
| St Pauls CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 650 | 7.7 km |
| Phobailscoil IosoldeCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 764 | 7.7 km |
| Our Lady Of Mercy CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 407 | 7.7 km |
| St Marys Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 320 | 7.8 km |
| Coláiste EoinETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 257 | 7.9 km |
| Old Bawn Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,024 | 7.9 km |
| Coláiste BrídeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 993 | 7.9 km |
| Trinity Comprehensive SchoolComprehensive · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 564 | 7.9 km |
| Edmund Rice CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | – | 912 | 8.1 km |
| Rockford Manor Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 273 | 8.1 km |
| Loreto College FoxrockVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | Fee-paying | 660 | 8.2 km |
| Castleknock CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 771 | 8.4 km |
| Stepaside Educate Together Secondary SchoolVoluntary secondary · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 741 | 8.4 km |
| Moyle Park CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 763 | 8.5 km |
| St Marks Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 931 | 8.6 km |
| New Cross CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 417 | 8.6 km |
| Chanel CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls and boys | DEIS | 451 | 8.6 km |
| Mercy College CoolockVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | DEIS | 402 | 8.6 km |
| Collinstown Park Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 630 | 8.7 km |
| The Kings HospitalVoluntary secondary · Church of Ireland | Girls and boys | Fee-paying, Boarding | 732 | 8.7 km |
| Coláiste ChilliainETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | Gaelcholáiste | 400 | 8.8 km |
| Christian Brothers CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | Fee-paying | 549 | 8.8 km |
| Manor House SchoolVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Girls | – | 652 | 9.1 km |
| Coolock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 205 | 9.2 km |
| Clonkeen CollegeVoluntary secondary · Catholic | Boys | – | 635 | 9.4 km |
| St. Kevin's Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 525 | 9.6 km |
| Castleknock Community CollegeETB · Multi-denominational | Girls and boys | – | 1,318 | 9.8 km |
| Killinarden Community SchoolCommunity school · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 471 | 9.8 km |
| Deansrath Community CollegeETB · Inter-denominational | Girls and boys | DEIS | 425 | 10 km |
Department of Education post-primary list 2025/26; straight-line distances from the town’s centre point.
Special schools and classes around Rathmines West
15 special schools serve the area: St Peters Special Sch, Catherine Mc Auley N Sc, St Declans Special Sch, Our Lady of Hope School, Scoil Eoin, Libermann Spiritan School, An Cosan CSS, Henrietta Street School, Solas Hospital School, Enable Ireland Sandymount School, Cheeverstown Sp Sch, An Taonad Reamhscoile, St John of God Sp Sch, St L O Tooles 2 Spec and Hospital School CHI at Temple Street, 956 pupils between them. 39 of the 80 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.
Rathmines West beside the 50 other Irish towns of 15,900 to 30,600 people
Each town’s schools in or within 3 km, listed by population: Ireland publishes no results, so none is ranked
| Town | People | Schools | Pupils | All-Irish | DEIS schools | Nearest post-primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ennis | 27,923 | 18 | 7,595 | 1 | 33% | 0.3 km |
| … | ||||||
| Athlone | 22,869 | 17 | 6,365 | 1 | 35% | 1.1 km |
| Stepaside | 22,796 | 73 | 25,639 | 5 | 14% | 0.9 km |
| Clondalkin | 22,788 | 120 | 39,367 | 6 | 54% | 0.2 km |
| Mullingar | 22,667 | 18 | 6,384 | 2 | 33% | 0.4 km |
| Rathmines West | 22,667 | 136 | 39,314 | 9 | 38% | 0 km |
| Letterkenny | 22,549 | 15 | 6,825 | 2 | 20% | 0.4 km |
| Clonsilla | 22,510 | 56 | 29,411 | 3 | 21% | 0.6 km |
| Sandymount | 22,340 | 133 | 40,801 | 10 | 26% | 0.8 km |
| Ballymun | 22,321 | 93 | 27,057 | 9 | 58% | 0.9 km |
| … | ||||||
| East Wall | 15,907 | 138 | 39,486 | 10 | 44% | 1.1 km |
Among the 50 other towns, 7 have more pupils at their schools than Rathmines West does. Every one of them has an all-Irish school within 3 km.
Department of Education school lists 2025/26 (preliminary); CSO Census 2022 populations.
Pupil numbers around Rathmines West
Every school in or within 3 km of the town each September, counted where it stands today.
The schools in and around Rathmines West had 38,270 pupils in 2015/16 and 39,314 in 2025/26. Harcourt Terrace Educate Together National School grew most: +852% since 2019/20.
Pupils at schools in and around Rathmines West
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 Rathmines West
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rathmines West | 136 | 39,314 | 9 | 38% | 0 km |
| Portobello 1.3 km | 110 | 29,104 | 7 | 46% | 0.4 km |
| Rathmines East 1.3 km | 135 | 41,393 | 12 | 36% | 0.2 km |
| Rathgar 1.4 km | 105 | 34,594 | 8 | 21% | 0.3 km |
| Terenure 1.5 km | 119 | 38,960 | 8 | 37% | 0.3 km |
| Christchurch 1.6 km | 119 | 29,651 | 8 | 51% | 0.3 km |
| The Liberties 2 km | 129 | 33,405 | 9 | 53% | 0.3 km |
Rathmines East has the most schools teaching through Irish nearby: 12. Since 2019/20 the pupils around Rathmines West changed by +7%; among its neighbours, Rathgar’s grew most (+8%) and Christchurch’s least (+5%).
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Which schools count. Every school in Rathmines West 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 Rathmines West
How many schools are there in Rathmines West?
In Rathmines West or within 3 km of it: 80 primary schools, 41 secondary schools and 15 special schools, with 39,314 pupils between them.
Are there schools in Rathmines West that teach through Irish?
Yes, 9: S.N. Brighde, Gaelscoil Lios na nOg and Gaelscoil Mologa teach every subject through Irish.
Are there fee-paying secondary schools near Rathmines West?
15 of the 41: St. Mary's College C.S.Sp., Rathmines, Stratford College, Sandford Park School Ltd and Gonzaga College. The others are free.
What is the best school in Rathmines West?
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 Rathmines West?
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).