Living in Athboy, Co. Meath: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Athboy
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Athboy
- Schools in Athboy
- Things to do in and around Athboy
- Where Athboy is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Athboy
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Athboy
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Athboy
- Nearby Meath towns
- Population and demographics
Is Athboy a nice place to live?
Athboy is home to about 939 households, 60% owner-occupied and 36% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €386,000, versus €450,000 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,270 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 6 schools keyed to the town (4 primary, 2 post-primary), and there are 8 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Enfield, 22.8 km away, and 6 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Athboy is a town in Co. Meath, about 52 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 6 schools, 59.6% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €386,000 to buy or €1,270 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 3.9% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 31 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Athboy: 59.6% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Athboy
2,596 people live in Athboy on Census 2022 night. 60% of households own their home and 36% rent, so Athboy leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (62%). It skews young: 20% are under 15 against 14% aged 65 and over. 34% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 2,596 |
| Owner-occupied households | 60% |
| Rented households | 36% |
| Aged under 15 | 20% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 26% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14% |
| Third level or higher | 34% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 55% |
| Unemployment rate | 7% |
| Commute by car | 62% |
| Commute by public transport | 10% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 21% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Athboy built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Enfield (22.8 km away), on the Maynooth and Sligo lines
Public transport serving Athboy: 3 operators
Getting around Athboy
Athboy is served by 3 public-transport operators running 6 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Éireann, Streamline Coaches and TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| Streamline Coaches | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 111 - Wilton Tce - Trim - Granard - Cavan
- 188 - Athboy - Navan - Drogheda
- 109B - Dublin - Dunshaughlin - Trim
- 111A - Delvin - Granard - Cavan
- 111X - Dublin express - Athboy - Clonmellon
- UM09 - Athboy - Trim - Maynooth
Source: Transport for Ireland GTFS_All feed (NTA), CC-BY 4.0. Stops matched to the town within a 6 km radius; route list capped.
Schools in Athboy
There are 4 primary and 2 post-primary schools in and around Athboy.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athboy Community School | Post-primary | 653 | |
| O'Growney National School | Primary | 382 | |
| St. Dympna'S National School | Primary | 210 | |
| Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh | Primary | 169 | |
| Coláiste Pobail Rath Cairn | Post-primary | 138 | |
| S N An Rath Mhor | Primary | 45 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Athboy
- Heritage nearby: Trim Castle (10 km) · Bective Abbey (14 km) · Hill of Tara (20 km) · Loughcrew Megalithic Cemetery (20 km)
- Walking trails in County Meath: Royal Canal Way · Royal Canal Greenway Walking Trail · Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog walk · Littlewood - Forest Walk
Where Athboy is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Athboy
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €386,000 (+40.9% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,270 |
| Gross rental yield | 3.9% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.1% |
| Meath county median | €450k |
| New build / second-hand | n/a / €386,000 |
Recent sales in Athboy
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Sep 26 | 10 NEWMANS MILL, ATHBOY, MEATH | Second-hand | €225,000 |
| 03 Sep 26 | 53 PRIORY GATE, ATHBOY, MEATH | Second-hand | €425,000 |
| 27 Aug 26 | STONE COTTAGE, FOSTERFIELDS, ATHBOY | Second-hand | €400,000 |
| 21 Aug 26 | 32 PARK VIEW, ATHBOY, MEATH | Second-hand | €440,000 |
| 17 Aug 26 | 45 CASTLELAWN, ATHBOY, MEATH | Second-hand | €400,000 |
| 12 Aug 26 | 42 PARKVIEW, ATHBOY, MEATH | Second-hand | €386,000 |
| 31 Jul 26 | FOSTERFIELDS, GILLSTOWN, ATHBOY | Second-hand | €525,000 |
| 03 Jul 26 | CASTLETOWN, ATHBOY, MEATH | Second-hand | €310,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Athboy median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €350,000 | 78 sales | |
| 2024 | €300,000 | 67 sales | |
| 2025 | €318,250 | 38 sales | |
| 2026 | €386,500 | 22 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Athboy
Since 1 March 2026 a rent review is capped at the lower of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation.
The full March 2026 rent review rules
Athboy compared with County Meath
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Meath median | 450000 | |
| Athboy | 386000 |
Rent or buy in Athboy?
At a glance: €386,000 to buy versus €1,270 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 3.9% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Athboy
The median home (€386,000) falls in LPT Band 3, a base charge of €333 a year before Meath County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Athboy: the March 2026 rent rules
Every rent increase is now capped at the lesser of 2% a year (pro rata) or CPI inflation, nationwide since 1 March 2026. A review needs 90 days' notice on the RTB form, no more than one in any 12 months, and the notice must cite three comparable homes from the RTB Rent Register. Check any rent increase against the legal cap, or see average rents for every Leinster town.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Athboy
In the 12 months to September 2026, 43 planning grants were recorded in and around Athboy, including 27 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-21 | File Ref. TA200788 - 2 no. dormer type houses, 2no. domestic garages and shared new entrance | 2 |
| 2026-02-17 | File Ref: KA202092 & 23377 - Change of house type and revision to site layout to a split level dwelling, wastewater disposal system new entrance &... | 2 |
| 2026-03-24 | File Ref: 21364 - the development will consist of a two storey dwelling, a detached domestic garage a wastewater disposal system, a dual access road... | 2 |
| 2026-03-20 | File Ref: 21365 - the development will consist of a two storey dwelling, a detached domestic garage, a wastewater disposal system, a new site... | 2 |
| 2026-05-29 | the development will consist of the demolition of existing buildings on the site and the construction of 2 x 2 bedroom detached houses together with... | 2 |
Source: Irish Planning Applications, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (ArcGIS, CC-BY 4.0). Granted applications keyed to the nearest town within 7 km. Homes column shows residential units in the application where recorded.
What this means: The 27 homes approved here in the last year are about 3% of Athboy's roughly 939 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Athboy, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Athboy, Meath.
View the official OPW flood maps for Athboy →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 220,826 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +13.2% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 98.4 |
| New dwelling permissions (Mid-East region, 2017) | 657 thousand m² |
Planning permissions are reported at NUTS3 region level; counties in this region share a figure.
Sources: CSO F1001, CIA02, BHQ09. CC-BY 4.0.
Nearby Meath towns
Dunboyne · Ashbourne · Dunshaughlin · Ratoath · Clonee · Stamullen
All Meath house prices · All Leinster house prices
Sources: CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, Property Price Register (PSRA), CSO RPPI, RTB via CSO. CC-BY. Figures verifiable at the official source.
Common questions about living in Athboy
What's it like to live in Athboy?
Athboy is a town in Co. Meath, about 52 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 6 schools, 59.6% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Athboy?
A home in Athboy costs a median €386,000 to buy or €1,270 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 3.9% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Athboy to Dublin?
About 52 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Athboy?
Schools in Athboy include Athboy Community School, O'Growney National School, St. Dympna'S National School, Scoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, among 4 primary and 2 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Athboy?
Athboy had a population of 2,596 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Athboy had a population of 2,596 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 2,596 |
|---|---|
| Households | 939 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 60% |
| Rented homes | 36% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0). Household tenure from the same release.
Shortlist is full (max 3 towns). View your shortlist to remove a town first.
Each point is the median of that calendar year's open-market sales on the Property Price Register. 2026 is a part year, covering the 22 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €386,000.
Could a home in Athboy pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Athboy's median price and average rent (RTB Q4 2025). Change any figure and it recalculates instantly.
Illustrative. Assumes ~18% of rent for management, insurance and voids; 25-year mortgage on the borrowed share; ~4% acquisition costs. Not financial advice.
What can you afford to buy in Athboy?
Pre-filled with Athboy's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Assumes 4x gross income for a first-time buyer or 3.5x otherwise, plus your deposit, with no minimum deposit applied (the Central Bank's 10% floor can cap the price lower; the affordability calculator applies it), and a 3.7% rate over 30 years unless you change them.
Central Bank of Ireland mortgage measures (since Jan 2023): first-time buyers can borrow up to 4x gross income, movers and second or subsequent buyers up to 3.5x, both with a minimum 10% deposit. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty on a Athboy property
Pre-filled with Athboy's median price. Change the purchase price, tick new build if it applies, and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty (rates in force since 2 October 2024): 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% from €1,000,000 to €1,500,000; 6% on any amount above €1,500,000. New builds: duty is charged on the price net of 13.5% VAT. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Athboy home
Pre-filled with Athboy's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025) and your local authority's 2026 adjustment factor.
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table and Local Adjustment Factors (source: revenue.ie). Each local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT service for your exact property.
Rent cap calculator for Athboy
Pre-filled with Athboy's average rent (RTB). From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland are covered by national rent control: for a standard tenancy the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower. This computes the 2% leg as an illustrative cap.
No figure for this tenancy type: it follows CPI with no 2% cap and this widget holds no CPI series. Use the official RTB Rent Calculator.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). Illustrative, not legal advice: if CPI is below 2% the lawful ceiling is lower, and the RTB Rent Calculator at rtb.ie is the official tool.
What a month in Athboy costs
Real figures for Athboy: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Athboy's median Property Price Register sale price over 30 years, plus Revenue's 2026 LPT band charge divided by 12. Excludes utilities, insurance, management fees and council LPT adjustments. Illustrative, not financial advice.
More on Athboy
- Athboy house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Athboy: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Meath: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Meath: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.