Living in Dundalk, Co. Louth: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Dundalk
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Dundalk
- Commute to Dublin from Dundalk
- Schools in Dundalk
- Things to do in and around Dundalk
- Where Dundalk is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Dundalk
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Dundalk
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Dundalk
- Nearby Louth towns
- Population and demographics
Is Dundalk a nice place to live?
Dundalk is home to about 15,923 households, 57% owner-occupied and 37% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €325,000, versus €402,475 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,427 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 30 schools keyed to the town (22 primary, 8 post-primary), and there are 24 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Dundalk, 0.9 km away, and 31 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Dundalk is a town in Co. Louth, about 64 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 30 schools, 57.1% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €325,000 to buy or €1,427 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 5.3% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 587 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Dundalk: 57.1% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Dundalk
43,112 people live in Dundalk on Census 2022 night. 57% of households own their home and 37% rent, so Dundalk leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (62%). It skews young: 21% are under 15 against 14% aged 65 and over. 37% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 43,112 |
| Owner-occupied households | 57% |
| Rented households | 37% |
| Aged under 15 | 21% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 28% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14% |
| Third level or higher | 37% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 51% |
| Unemployment rate | 10% |
| Commute by car | 62% |
| Commute by public transport | 10% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 24% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Dundalk built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Dundalk (in the town), on several Dublin intercity lines
Public transport serving Dundalk: Rail + bus
Getting around Dundalk
Dundalk is served by 11 public-transport operators running 31 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Éireann, Eamon McEntee, Halpenny Travel, Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail, Matthews Coach Hire, McGill Coach Travel, Pat Keenan Coach Hire, Robbie Finegan Coaches, Royal Breffni Tours, Streamline Coaches and TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| Eamon McEntee | Bus / coach |
| Halpenny Travel | Bus / coach |
| Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail | Rail |
| Matthews Coach Hire | Bus / coach |
| McGill Coach Travel | Bus / coach |
| Pat Keenan Coach Hire | Bus / coach |
| Robbie Finegan Coaches | Bus / coach |
| Royal Breffni Tours | Bus / coach |
| Streamline Coaches | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Cavan Monaghan | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes (a sample of 31)
- 100 - Drogheda - Dundalk - Newry
- 160 - Dundalk - Ravensdale - Newry
- 161 - Dundalk - Carlingford - Newry
- 162 - Dundalk - Monaghan - Clones - Cavan
- 167 - Dundalk - Louth - Ardee
- 168 - Dundalk - Annagassan
- 169 - Blackrock - Dundalk
- 170 - Cavan - Dundalk
- 171 - Shercock - Dundalk
- 174 - Long Walk - Muirhevnamuir
- 900 - Dundalk - Dublin
- 901 - Dundalk - Drogheda - Dublin
- 916 - Dundalk - Bay Estate
- 917 - Dundalk - Muirhevnamor
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.
Commute to Dublin from Dundalk
Driving from Dundalk to Dublin city centre takes about 64 minutes by car on a clear run. That makes it the 2nd-closest to Dublin of the 2 Louth towns we have routed, behind Drogheda at 42 minutes.
| Town | Drive to Dublin |
|---|---|
| Dundalk, Louth This town | 64 min |
| Leixlip, Kildare Closest routed town | 22 min |
| Wexford, Wexford Farthest routed town | 106 min |
Door-to-centre driving time routed on OpenStreetMap road data via OSRM, no live traffic. Comparison is against the Leinster commuter towns routed so far. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Schools in Dundalk
There are 22 primary and 8 post-primary schools in and around Dundalk, 12 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Vincent'S Secondary School | Post-primary | 927 | |
| St Mary'S College | Post-primary | 905 | |
| Coláiste Chú Chulainn | Post-primary | 897 | DEIS |
| De La Salle College | Post-primary | 760 | |
| Scoil Mhuire Na Ngael | Primary | 624 | |
| Colaiste Rís | Post-primary | 622 | |
| Dundalk Grammar School | Post-primary | 590 | |
| St Josephs N S | Primary | 574 | DEIS |
| C.B.S. Primary | Primary | 524 | DEIS |
| Scoil Na Gcreagacha Dubha | Primary | 503 | |
| St Louis Secondary School | Post-primary | 498 | DEIS |
| Réalt Na Mara School | Primary | 467 | |
| St. Francis National School | Primary | 441 | |
| Ó Fiaich College | Post-primary | 312 | DEIS |
Showing the 14 largest of 30.
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Dundalk
- Heritage nearby: Proleek Megalithic Tombs (5 km) · Mellifont Abbey (29 km) · Knowth Passage Tomb Cemetery (34 km) · Newgrange Passage Tomb (35 km)
- Walking trails in County Louth: Tain Way · Annaloughan Loop · Barnavave Loop · Boyne Valley Camino
Full guide: things to do in Dundalk →
Where Dundalk is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Dundalk
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €325,000 (+14.0% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €1,427 |
| Gross rental yield | 5.3% |
| Net yield (est.) | 4.1% |
| Louth county median | €402k |
| New build / second-hand | €396,000 / €270,000 |
What this means: New builds in Dundalk sell at about a 47% premium to second-hand homes (€396,000 vs €270,000).
Recent sales in Dundalk
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Sep 26 | 12 LENNONSTOWN MANOR, RED BARNS RD, DUNDALK | Second-hand | €305,000 |
| 23 Sep 26 | 28 THE LAURELS, DUNDALK, LOUTH | Second-hand | €262,500 |
| 21 Sep 26 | 142 OAKLAWNS, DUNDALK, LOUTH | Second-hand | €325,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 150 DUNDOOGAN, HAYNESTOWN, DUNDALK | Second-hand | €290,000 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 48 St. Fursey's Park, Haggardstown, Dundalk | New | €368,848 |
| 16 Sep 26 | 56 Bayview, Red Barns Road, Dundalk | New | €370,044 |
| 15 Sep 26 | 22 DUNDOOGAN, HAYNESTOWN, DUNDALK | Second-hand | €298,000 |
| 15 Sep 26 | 28 BEECH PARK, BLACKROCK, DUNDALK | Second-hand | €410,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Dundalk median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €240,000 | 505 sales | |
| 2024 | €270,000 | 570 sales | |
| 2025 | €300,000 | 539 sales | |
| 2026 | €317,375 | 406 sales |
Average rent by size (Q4 2025)
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1,093 | €1,272 | €1,503 | €1,938 |
Maximum legal rent increase in Dundalk
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
Dundalk compared with County Louth
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Louth median | 402000 | |
| Dundalk | 325000 |
Rent or buy in Dundalk?
At a glance: €325,000 to buy versus €1,427 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 5.3% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Dundalk
The median home (€325,000) falls in LPT Band 3, a base charge of €333 a year before Louth County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Dundalk: 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 Dundalk
In the 12 months to September 2026, 246 planning grants were recorded in and around Dundalk, including 802 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-03 | 7-year permission for a Large-scale Residential Development (LRD) on lands (c.18.54 ha) The development will consist of:- 502 no. residential units... | 462 |
| 2025-12-02 | permission for a proposed residential development on 3.26ha hectares of lands in the townland of Lisdoo at Armagh Road, Dundalk, Co. Louth. The... | 91 |
| 2025-12-08 | Permission for development at a site located on the eastern side of Mount Avenue and is bounded to the north by a permitted residential development... | 60 |
| 2026-05-13 | Permission for a Retirement Village located in and around the former RIC stables and car park. The retirement village will accommodate 46 no... | 45 |
| 2026-01-02 | Permission for 3 Storey terrace building comprising of 5 No. 3 Bedroom townhouses, development works and associated site works to facilitate site... | 5 |
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 802 homes approved here in the last year are about 5% of Dundalk's roughly 15,923 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Dundalk, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Dundalk, Louth.
View the official OPW flood maps for Dundalk →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 139,703 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +8.4% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 92.2 |
| 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 Louth towns
All Louth house prices · All Leinster house prices · Things to do in Dundalk
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 Dundalk
What's it like to live in Dundalk?
Dundalk is a town in Co. Louth, about 64 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 30 schools, 57.1% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Dundalk?
A home in Dundalk costs a median €325,000 to buy or €1,427 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 5.3% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Dundalk to Dublin?
About 64 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line (OpenStreetMap routing).
What schools are in Dundalk?
Schools in Dundalk include St Vincent'S Secondary School, St Mary'S College, Coláiste Chú Chulainn, De La Salle College, among 22 primary and 8 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Dundalk?
Dundalk had a population of 43,112 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Dundalk had a population of 43,112 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 43,112 |
|---|---|
| Households | 15,923 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 57% |
| Rented homes | 37% |
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 406 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €325,000.
Could a home in Dundalk pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Dundalk'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 Dundalk?
Pre-filled with Dundalk'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 Dundalk property
Pre-filled with Dundalk'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 Dundalk home
Pre-filled with Dundalk'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 Dundalk
Pre-filled with Dundalk'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 Dundalk costs
Real figures for Dundalk: RTB average rent and an ownership estimate built on the median sale price. Adjust the mortgage rate and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Average rent by size: 1 bed €1,093 · 2 bed €1,272 · 3 bed €1,503 · 4+ bed €1,938
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Dundalk'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 Dundalk
- Dundalk house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Dundalk: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Louth: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Louth: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.
Weighing it against somewhere else? See Dundalk vs Drogheda for a family, side by side on price, rent, yield and rail access.