Living in Duleek, Co. Meath: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Duleek
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Duleek
- Schools in Duleek
- Things to do in and around Duleek
- Where Duleek is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Duleek
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Duleek
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Duleek
- Nearby Meath towns
- Population and demographics
Is Duleek a nice place to live?
Duleek is home to about 1,561 households, 68% owner-occupied and 26% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €370,000, versus €450,000 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,498 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 7 schools keyed to the town (7 primary), and there are 28 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Drogheda, 8.1 km away, and 6 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Duleek is a town in Co. Meath, about 39 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 7 schools, 68.4% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €370,000 to buy or €1,498 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 4.9% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 33 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Duleek: 68.4% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Duleek
4,899 people live in Duleek on Census 2022 night. 68% of households own their home and 26% rent, so Duleek leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (64%). It skews young: 25% are under 15 against 9% aged 65 and over. 26% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 4,899 |
| Owner-occupied households | 68% |
| Rented households | 26% |
| Aged under 15 | 25% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 28% |
| Aged 65 and over | 9% |
| Third level or higher | 26% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 58% |
| Unemployment rate | 7% |
| Commute by car | 64% |
| Commute by public transport | 23% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 6% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Duleek built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Drogheda (8.1 km away), on several Dublin intercity lines
Public transport serving Duleek: 4 operators
Getting around Duleek
Duleek is served by 4 public-transport operators running 6 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Éireann, Collins Coaches, Streamline Coaches and TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| Collins Coaches | Bus / coach |
| Streamline Coaches | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Louth Meath Fingal | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 105 - Blanchardstown - Ashbourne - Ashbourne - Drogheda
- 163 - Brú na Bóinne - Drogheda
- 188 - Athboy - Navan - Drogheda
- 980 - Carrickmacross - Dublin
- 103X - Dublin - Ashbourne - Duleek - Navan
- UM03 - Dundalk - Drogheda - 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 Duleek
There are 7 primary schools in and around Duleek, 2 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| S N Bheinin Naofa C | Primary | 343 | DEIS |
| S N Bheinn Naofa B | Primary | 339 | DEIS |
| S N Dun Uabhair | Primary | 166 | |
| S N Padraig Naofa | Primary | 137 | |
| S N Naomh Colmcille | Primary | 109 | |
| S N Naomh Treasa | Primary | 105 | |
| Scoil Naomh Pio | Primary | 59 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Duleek
- Heritage nearby: Newgrange Passage Tomb (6 km) · Knowth Passage Tomb Cemetery (7 km) · Mellifont Abbey (10 km) · Skreen Church (13 km)
- Walking trails in County Meath: Royal Canal Way · Royal Canal Greenway Walking Trail · Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog walk · Littlewood - Forest Walk
Where Duleek is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Duleek
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €370,000 (-0.7% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,498 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.9% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.8% |
| Meath county median | €450k |
| New build / second-hand | n/a / €370,000 |
Recent sales in Duleek
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09 Sep 26 | ENDEVERE, MAIN ST, DULEEK | Second-hand | €460,000 |
| 07 Aug 26 | 43 BATHE ABBEY, DULEEK, CO MEATH | Second-hand | €387,000 |
| 06 Aug 26 | 9 THE BELFRY, DULEEK, MEATH | Second-hand | €380,000 |
| 31 Jul 26 | 47 BATHE ABBEY, DULEEK, CO MEATH | Second-hand | €387,000 |
| 14 Jul 26 | 59 MILL RACE, DULEEK, MEATH | Second-hand | €250,000 |
| 03 Jul 26 | 66 WEAVERS LANE, DULEEK, MEATH | Second-hand | €410,000 |
| 28 May 26 | 5 KINGSGATE COURT, DULEEK, MEATH | Second-hand | €354,000 |
| 27 May 26 | DROGHEDA RD, DULEEK, MEATH | Second-hand | €500,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Duleek median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €291,750 | 34 sales | |
| 2024 | €365,000 | 82 sales | |
| 2025 | €371,250 | 76 sales | |
| 2026 | €377,500 | 22 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Duleek
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
Duleek compared with County Meath
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Meath median | 450000 | |
| Duleek | 370000 |
Rent or buy in Duleek?
At a glance: €370,000 to buy versus €1,498 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.9% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Duleek
The median home (€370,000) 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 Duleek: 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 Duleek
In the 12 months to September 2026, 55 planning grants were recorded in and around Duleek, including 33 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-11-26 | the construction of 15 no. 3 bed residences (10 no. semi-detached and 5 no. terraced units) and revision of that which was granted planning... | 15 |
| 2026-09-22 | the proposed development consists of the demolition of an existing bungalow and the construction of 12 No. Apartments (8 No 2-bed units & 4 No 1-bed... | 1 |
| 2026-03-23 | File Ref: 211941 - the construction of 6 no. 2 storey semi-detached, 4 bed dwellings (individual dwelling area c. 133.2 m2) and all associated works... | 1 |
| 2026-03-25 | the development will consist of the construction of a single storey dwelling, a detached domestic garage, a domestic wastewater disposal system, new... | 1 |
| 2025-11-13 | the development consists of construction of a part two storey, part single storey detached dwelling, detached single storey domestic garage, new... | 1 |
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 33 homes approved here in the last year are about 2% of Duleek's roughly 1,561 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Duleek, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Duleek, Meath.
View the official OPW flood maps for Duleek →
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 Duleek
What's it like to live in Duleek?
Duleek is a town in Co. Meath, about 39 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 7 schools, 68.4% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Duleek?
A home in Duleek costs a median €370,000 to buy or €1,498 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.9% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Duleek to Dublin?
About 39 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Duleek?
Schools in Duleek include S N Bheinin Naofa C, S N Bheinn Naofa B, S N Dun Uabhair, S N Padraig Naofa, among 7 primary and 0 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Duleek?
Duleek had a population of 4,899 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Duleek had a population of 4,899 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 4,899 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,561 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68% |
| Rented homes | 26% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 (CC BY 4.0). Household tenure from the same release.
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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 €370,000.
Could a home in Duleek pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Duleek'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 Duleek?
Pre-filled with Duleek'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 Duleek property
Pre-filled with Duleek'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 Duleek home
Pre-filled with Duleek'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 Duleek
Pre-filled with Duleek'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 Duleek costs
Real figures for Duleek: 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 Duleek'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 Duleek
- Duleek house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Duleek: 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.