Carlanstown’s story
Carlanstown has 9 buildings on the National Inventory
The record adds 1 archaeological site.
Homes built before 1919: 4%, against 3% across Irish towns.
- 1780Bridge, Carlanstown
- 1800House, Carlanstown
- 1800J. Kiernan
CarlanstownCo. Meath
The population grew 13% between 2016 and 2022. This town in Co. Meath has a population of 718.
Population
718
CSO, Census 2022 · Meath County Council
Median age
33.1
5% are 65+ · Co. Meath 9%
Degree level
28%
of residents 15+ · Irish towns 36%
Walk, cycle, transit
5%
of working residents · Irish towns 23%
Is Carlanstown a good place to live?
Of those who commute, 5% go on foot, by bike or by public transport. Only 5% of residents are 65 or over.
Irish towns are graded from 1,000 residents, which leaves Carlanstown out for now.
What makes Carlanstown stand out
The 2 things Carlanstown does most differently from other towns.
Nearby attractions
All attractions →Kells High Crosses and 7 more in and around Carlanstown
Castles, abbeys, gardens, museums and days out in and near Carlanstown. Best known first.
Historic houseKells High Crosses4.2 km outside town, to the southwestCastleCastleRobertstown Castle4.5 km outside town, to the northeastMuseumMuseumKells Courthouse - Tourism and Cultural Hub3.9 km outside town, to the southwestAbbey or prioryAbbey or prioryKells Historic Trail3.9 km outside town, to the southwestChurchChurchSt Columba's Church4.1 km outside town, to the southwestHistoric houseHistoric houseSpire of Lloyd and People's Park4.9 km outside town, to the southwestPlaces: Fáilte Ireland open data (CC BY 4.0) · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata
Photos: each place’s Wikidata image, from Wikimedia Commons under the licence below (our copy, resized).
Photo credits (1)
- Kells High Crosses: Pinacle, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
The data
Data highlights are ordered by what stands out in Carlanstown.
Schools
Schools around Carlanstown are filling: pupils +16% since 2019, more than in Co. Meath’s towns or across Irish towns
One school lies within 3 km of Carlanstown. Pupils at the school within 3 km of the town: 165.
1schools within 3 km
| School | Level | Pupils | Ethos |
|---|---|---|---|
| S.N. Muire Special classesLargest primary schoolPrimary | Primary | 165 | Catholic |
| Schools within 3 km | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils since 2019/20 | +16% | +4% | +4% |
| Teach through Irish | 0% | 8% | 8% |
| In the DEIS scheme | 0% | 0% | 35% |
165
pupils at schools within 3 km, 2025/26
+16%
pupils since 2019/20 · Irish towns +4%
0 km
to the nearest primary school
4.5 km
to the nearest secondary school
Department of Education school lists, 2025/26 (preliminary) · no results are published by school · Ireland publishes no school-by-school results, which is why these cards have no letters.
Natural hazards
Carlanstown has low radon and steady ground, but its flood exposure isn’t measured
Radon: one in ten homes are in high-radon areas, higher than both Co. Meath’s towns (0%) and Irish towns (0%). About 2.9% of homes in Carlanstown are estimated to pass the radon reference level. Landslides: none of Carlanstown lies in a high-susceptibility zone.
10%of homes in high-radon areas
Homes exposed · share of the town’s homes
In high-radon areas10%
On high landslide susceptibility0%
| Share of homes | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| In high-radon areas | 10% | 0% | 0% |
| On high landslide susceptibility | 0% | 0% | 0% |
2.9%
of homes over the radon level
260
homes mapped for these shares
EPA radon map, GSI landslide susceptibility and our low-lying homes estimate from OPW LiDAR.
Climate
Winter nights in Carlanstown are colder than in 90% of Irish towns
In January, overnight lows in Carlanstown settle at 2.0°C. The year’s mean temperature is 9.8°C, close to Co. Meath’s towns (9.9°C) and below Irish towns (10.3°C). November is the wettest month locally, with 94 mm of rain on average.
19.9°CJuly afternoon high
Average afternoon highs by season · 1991–2020 averages
Winter8.2°C
Spring13.1°C
Summer19.3°C
Autumn13.8°C
| Climate, 1991–2020 | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| January low | 2.0°C | 2.1°C | 2.9°C |
| Average temperature over the year | 9.8°C | 9.9°C | 10.3°C |
| Rain a year | 919 mm | 855 mm | 937 mm |
19.9°C
July high
2.0°C
January low
919 mm
Rain a year
94 mm
Wettest month
43
Air frosts
Met Éireann, 1991–2020 averages.
Health
Bad health runs low in Carlanstown for a town of its ages, at 68 per 100 expected, less than in Co. Meath’s towns or Irish towns
3.8% of residents in Carlanstown care, unpaid, for a relative or friend. Allowing for its ages, Carlanstown has 118 residents with a disability per 100 expected, above Co. Meath’s towns (103) and Irish towns (106) alike. At the census, 0.9% of people here described their health as bad or very bad.
92%good or very good health
Per 100 expected at the town’s ages · age-standardised
Bad health68
Disability118
Co. Meath105
Expected100
General health, self-reported
Good or very good 92%Fair 7%Bad or very bad 1%
| Census 2022 | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unpaid carers | 3.8% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Bad or very bad health | 0.9% | 1.6% | 2% |
| Good or very good health | 92% | 91% | 88% |
| With a disability | 21% | 19% | 22% |
68
bad health per 100 expected · Co. Meath 105
118
disability per 100 expected · Co. Meath 103
84 · 80.3
life expectancy, women · men, the Mid-East region, 2016
27%
hold a medical card, HSE Dublin and North East
CSO, Census 2022 general health, disability and carers · CSO life expectancy by region, 2016 · HSE medical cards, 2024 · TownRatings age-standardised ratios
Housing
Homes in Carlanstown sell for about €272,900
72% of households own their home, close to Co. Meath’s towns (74%) and above Irish towns (61%). Renting privately is how 16% of households live. The social rented sector houses 12% of households.
€273Kmedian sale price
Median sale price · Eircode area, 2023–2025
Carlanstown€273K
Co. Meath€375K
Irish towns€350K
| Housing | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | €273K | €375K | €350K |
| Households owning their home | 72% | 74% | 61% |
| Households renting privately | 16% | 15% | 22% |
| Households in social housing | 12% | 9% | 13% |
72%
own their home · Irish towns 61%
16%
rent privately · Irish towns 22%
€1,542
a month on new tenancies, County Meath
Property Price Register · CSO residential prices by Eircode area · RTB rents · CSO, Census 2022 tenure · The price is for the postcode area A82, not the town alone: too few sales inside the town carry a full address.
Outdoors
Carlanstown has room to breathe: 24.6 ha of green space per 1,000 residents, more than Co. Meath’s towns or Irish towns
A short walk to green space: 100% of homes, higher than both Co. Meath’s towns (95%) and Irish towns (92%). Green space in Carlanstown totals 18 ha, in one park.
100%of homes near green space
Green space per 1,000 residents · per 1,000 residents
Carlanstown24.6 ha
Co. Meath2.3 ha
Irish towns4.1 ha
| Outdoors | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green space per 1,000 residents | 24.6 ha | 2.3 ha | 4.1 ha |
| Woodland within 1 km | 5.2% | 1% | 2.7% |
| Paths per km² of town | 0.4 km per km² | 1.3 km per km² | 2.1 km per km² |
| Near a park | 100% | 95% | 92% |
100%
Near a park
24.6 ha
Green space
2 km
Footpaths
1%
Protected for nature
OpenStreetMap parks and paths, NPWS protected sites and the National Trails Register.
Work & commute
More commuters in Carlanstown drive than in Co. Meath’s towns or Irish towns: 89%
Households had €62,640 a year before tax, below Co. Meath’s towns (€73,360) but above Irish towns (€57,760). Workers spend 33.2 min getting to work, on average. Unemployment runs at 7.1%.
5%walk, cycle or take transit
How working residents got to work · census 2022
Car or van89%
Walk3%
Bus2%
Bicycle0%
| Census 2022 | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trips under 15 minutes | 40% | 29% | 31% |
| Average trip | 33.2 min | 32.9 min | 27.6 min |
| Median household income | €62,640 | €73,360 | €57,760 |
| Unemployment rate | 7.1% | 7.3% | 9.2% |
€62,640
household income, 2022 estimate · Co. Meath €70,657
5%
worked mainly from home, 2022
20%
trips of an hour or more
3,692
on the Live Register, County Meath, September 2026
CSO, Census 2022 travel to work, work and education · CSO Geographical Profiles of Income 2022 · Live Register · Census day was 3 April 2022, with working from home still common; shares are of those who travelled.
Who lives here
A town of families: 29% of people in Carlanstown are under 15, more than in Co. Meath’s towns or Irish towns
The 15-to-24 age group: 12%, about level with Irish towns (12%) and below Co. Meath’s towns (13%). 5.2% of residents have reached 65. Degrees are held by 28% of adults.
33.1median age
CarlanstownCo. MeathIreland
Ages · share of residents
12%
Highest education · residents 15 and older who have finished education
Primary or none9%
Lower secondary19%
Leaving Cert37%
Diploma or cert8%
Degree or higher28%
Women and men · all residents
Women make up 50.7% of Carlanstown
364 women and 354 men live here; across Ireland, women are 50.6%.
| Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 15 | 29% | 24% | 20% |
| 15–24 | 12% | 13% | 12% |
| 25–44 | 34% | 28% | 29% |
| 45–64 | 20% | 25% | 24% |
| 65+ | 5.2% | 9.2% | 14% |
| Primary or none | 8.8% | 7.7% | 9.7% |
| Lower secondary | 19% | 13% | 14% |
| Leaving Cert | 37% | 37% | 35% |
| Diploma or cert | 7.5% | 7% | 5.8% |
| Degree or higher | 28% | 36% | 36% |
CSO, Census 2022 · Co. Meath and Ireland: the median of their towns of 2,500+
Town hall
Carlanstown turns out to vote: 55% at the last local elections, above Co. Meath’s towns and Irish towns
Local government for Carlanstown is Meath County Council alone; Ireland has a single tier. With 11 of 40 seats, Independent are the largest group on Meath County Council, short of the 21 a majority needs. This Co. Meath town sits in the Kells local electoral area, which elects 7 councillors.
11/40seats held by Independent
Seats on Meath County · June 2024
Independent11
Fine Gael11
Fianna Fáil9
Sinn Féin6
Aontú2
Social Democrats1
| Turnout | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local elections, June 2024 | 55% | 47% | 46% |
| General election, November 2024 | 60% | 60% | 59% |
7
Councillors
11/40
Independent seats on Meath County, the largest party
55%
turnout, June 2024
4
TDs elected for Meath East
Department of Housing count sheets, 2024
History
For its size, Carlanstown has more listed heritage than Co. Meath’s towns or Irish towns: 125 inventory buildings per 10,000 residents
1 archaeological sites are on the record, below Co. Meath’s towns (24) and Irish towns (11) alike. The pre-1919 share of homes is 4.4%. The national inventory of architectural heritage lists 9 buildings in Carlanstown, each rated of regional importance. One archaeological site is on the record here.
9inventory buildings
Buildings by NIAH rating · NIAH
International0
National0
Regional9
Among them
- Bridge, Carlanstown 1780
- House, Carlanstown 1800
- House, Carlanstown 1800
- House, Carlanstown 1800
1
sites on the Sites and Monuments Record
1780
earliest dated inventory building
4%
homes built before 1919 · Irish towns 3%
| Heritage | Carlanstown | Co. Meath | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inventory buildings per 10,000 residents | 125 | 29 | 48 |
| Archaeological sites on the record | 1 | 24 | 11 |
| Homes built before 1919 | 4.4% | 1.4% | 3.4% |
NIAH, the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage · Sites and Monuments Record · CSO, Census 2022 homes by year built
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Carlanstown
15pages on Carlanstown
The big questions
Out and about
Landmarks
The national inventory of architectural heritage lists 9 buildings in Carlanstown, each rated of regional importance. One archaeological site is on the record here.
Famous people from around Carlanstown
One notable person was born in Carlanstown; with them, the best known born in the towns around it.
J
Jack FitzsimonsIrish politician and writer (1930-2014)
J
Jamie McGrathIrish association football player · born in Athboy · born 1996Photo credits
Francis Beaufort: Stephen Pearce, Public domain · Dylan Moran: Fernando de Sousa of Melbourne, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Paul Tighe: ITU/I.Wood, CC BY 2.0 · Gary Rogers: Seaninryan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Carlanstown’s neighbours
The nearest places of 1,000 or more. Boundaries: Tailte Éireann, CSO Urban Areas 2022 and Electoral Divisions.
KellsMullaghKingscourtNavanAthboyVirginiaCarlanstown
How the neighbours grade
| Town | People | km | Overall | Cost | Safety | Health |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlanstown | 718 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Kells | 6,608 | 4.5 | B | A | B− | C |
| Mullagh Cavan | 1,651 | 9 | — | B+ | A | C− |
| Kingscourt Cavan | 2,955 | 16 | B+ | B+ | B− | B+ |
| Navan | 33,886 | 16 | B | A− | C+ | B− |
| Athboy | 2,596 | 16 | — | A− | — | C+ |
| Virginia Cavan | 3,211 | 18 | B | B− | B− | B+ |
People: CSO, Census 2022. Distances: centre to centre.
Questions about Carlanstown
Has Carlanstown grown?
Carlanstown had 718 people at the 2022 census, up from 634 in 2016: 13.2% more, against 7.6% in the median of Irish towns.
Is Carlanstown a young town or an old one?
The median age in Carlanstown is 33.1, against 37.6 in the median of Irish towns.
About Carlanstown
Urban area in Co. Meath
Carlanstown has 718 people, in the area of Meath County Council. TownRatings uses the CSO’s 2022 Urban Areas as Ireland’s towns: the physical town, as people mean the word, rather than a county or a council area, so its figures cover the town itself.
Built from Tailte Éireann’s boundaries and the CSO’s Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0)
- Population
- 718 (CSO, Census 2022)
- County
- Meath
- Council
- Meath County Council
- Local electoral area
- Kells
- Dáil constituency
- Meath East
- Name in Irish
- Droichead Chearbhalláin
- Area
- 0.1 sq mi (0.4 km²)
- CSO code
- UA:11424
Sources: CSO, Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics (CC BY 4.0) · Tailte Éireann, Urban Areas and Electoral Divisions 2022 (CC BY 4.0). 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).