Living in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Dunshaughlin
- Getting around and commuting
- Getting around Dunshaughlin
- Schools in Dunshaughlin
- Things to do in and around Dunshaughlin
- Where Dunshaughlin is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Dunshaughlin
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Dunshaughlin
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Dunshaughlin
- Nearby Meath towns
Leinster house prices & rents › Meath › Living in Dunshaughlin
Dunshaughlin is a town in Co. Meath, about 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 7 schools, 76.6% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €474,998 to buy or €1,891 a month to rent (a 4.8% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 219 sales · updated July 2026
How Dunshaughlin compares: at €474,998 it is 16% above the County Meath median of €410k. Its 4.8% gross yield is above the county average of 4.6%.Recent activity in Dunshaughlin: latest recorded sale Jun 2026; 134 new homes approved in the last year; prices +2.1% year on year. This page updates as new official data lands.
Who lives in Dunshaughlin — 76.6% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Dunshaughlin
6,644 people live in Dunshaughlin on Census 2022 night. 77% of households own their home and 19% rent, so Dunshaughlin leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (63%). It skews young: 24% are under 15 against 8% aged 65 and over. 55% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 6,644 |
| Owner-occupied households | 77% |
| Rented households | 19% |
| Aged under 15 | 24% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 35% |
| Aged 65 and over | 8% |
| Third level or higher | 55% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 67% |
| Unemployment rate | 4% |
| Commute by car | 63% |
| Commute by public transport | 10% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 22% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Dunshaughlin built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Getting around and commuting
Nearest train station: M3 Parkway (9.8 km away), on the Maynooth line
Public transport serving Dunshaughlin — 4 operators
Getting around Dunshaughlin
Dunshaughlin is served by 4 public-transport operators running 8 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Éireann, McCaffrey Coaches, Sillan Tours and Streamline Coaches.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| McCaffrey Coaches | Bus / coach |
| Sillan Tours | Bus / coach |
| Streamline Coaches | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 109 - Dublin - Navan - Kells - Cavan
- 111 - Wilton Tce - Trim - Granard - Cavan
- 179 - Coothill - Dublin City
- 109A - DCU - Airport - Ratoath - Navan
- 109B - Dublin - Dunshaughlin - Trim
- 111X - Dublin express - Athboy - Clonmellon
- DY01 - Kells - Dunboyne
- UM05 - Cavan - Maynooth University
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 Dunshaughlin
There are 5 primary and 2 post-primary schools in and around Dunshaughlin.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community College Dunshaughlin | Post-primary | 1135 | |
| S N Seachnaill Naofa | Primary | 622 | |
| Scoil Na Rithe | Primary | 222 | |
| Coláiste Rioga | Post-primary | 193 | |
| Dunshaughlin Community National School | Primary | 168 | |
| S N Cul An Mhuilinn | Primary | 119 | |
| S N Rath Riagain | Primary | 92 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Dunshaughlin
- Heritage nearby: Skreen Church (8 km) · Hill of Tara (9 km) · Bective Abbey (13 km) · Maynooth Castle (15 km)
- Walking trails in County Meath: Royal Canal Way · Royal Canal Greenway Walking Trail · Drewstown Woods - Girley Bog walk · Littlewood - Forest Walk
Where Dunshaughlin is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Dunshaughlin
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €474,998 (+2.1% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent | €1,891 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.8% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.7% |
| Meath county median | €410k |
| New build / second-hand | €464,896 / €500,000 |
What this means: New builds in Dunshaughlin sell at about a 7% discount to second-hand homes (€464,896 vs €500,000).
Recent sales in Dunshaughlin
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 26 | ROESTOWN, DUNSHAUGHLIN, MEATH | Second-hand | €520,000 |
| 24 Jun 26 | 19 THE RISE, DUNSHAUGHLIN, MEATH | Second-hand | €475,000 |
| 19 Jun 26 | 7 Oka Way, The Willows, Dunshaughlin | New | €405,286 |
| 17 Jun 26 | 3 Oak Way, The Willows, Dunshaughlin | New | €405,286 |
| 10 Jun 26 | 6 Oak Way, The Willows, Dunshaughlin | New | €418,502 |
| 10 Jun 26 | 8 The Fairways, Dunshaughlin | New | €463,876 |
| 08 Jun 26 | 2 Oak Way, The Willows, Dunshaughlin | New | €405,286 |
| 04 Jun 26 | 1 Oak Way, The Willows, Dunshaughlin | New | €414,097 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Dunshaughlin median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €415,000 | 125 sales | |
| 2024 | €464,999 | 169 sales | |
| 2025 | €465,000 | 258 sales | |
| 2026 | €482,999 | 57 sales |
Average rent by size
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | €1,751 | — | — |
Maximum legal rent increase in Dunshaughlin
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
Dunshaughlin compared with County Meath
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Dunshaughlin | 474998 | |
| County Meath median | 410000 |
Rent or buy in Dunshaughlin?
At a glance: €474,998 to buy versus €1,891 a month to rent, a 4.8% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Dunshaughlin
The median home (€474,998) falls in LPT Band 4, a base charge of €428 a year before Meath County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Dunshaughlin: 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 Dunshaughlin
In the 12 months to July 2026, 60 planning grants were recorded in and around Dunshaughlin, including 134 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-24 | a Large-Scale Residential Development - planning permission for a Large-scale Residential Development consisting of modifications to the Strategic... | 51 |
| 2026-02-10 | SASULA UNLIMITED COMPANY Intends to apply for Permission At a site circa 6.39 Ha, within Killeen Castle Demesne (a Protected Structure), Dunsany, Co... | 25 |
| 2025-09-09 | EXTENSION OF DURATION OF PLANNING PERMISSION 2560158 - Strategic Housing Development (Subsequently amended under MCC Reg. Ref. 25/60158) for the... | 15 |
| 2025-08-06 | the proposed development consists of amendments to the site layout of 16no. courtyard units permitted under Reg. Ref. 23/1139 (referred to as 4-19... | 14 |
| 2026-02-23 | File Ref: RA201024 & 211161 - the construction of a new two storey detached dwelling including new entrance onto public road, proprietary waste water... | 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 134 homes approved here in the last year are about 6% of Dunshaughlin's roughly 2,290 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Dunshaughlin, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Dunshaughlin, Meath.
View the official OPW flood maps for Dunshaughlin →
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 · Ratoath · Stamullen · Clonee · Bettystown
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 Dunshaughlin
What's it like to live in Dunshaughlin?
Dunshaughlin is a town in Co. Meath, about 30 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 7 schools, 76.6% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Dunshaughlin?
A home in Dunshaughlin costs a median €474,998 to buy or €1,891 a month to rent, a 4.8% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Dunshaughlin to Dublin?
About 30 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line (OpenStreetMap routing).
What schools are in Dunshaughlin?
Schools in Dunshaughlin include Community College Dunshaughlin, S N Seachnaill Naofa, Scoil Na Rithe, Coláiste Rioga, among 5 primary and 2 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
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Median of open-market sales each year (Property Price Register). Latest year is partial.
Could a home in Dunshaughlin pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Dunshaughlin's median price and average rent. 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 Dunshaughlin?
Pre-filled with Dunshaughlin's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
Central Bank rules: 3.5x gross income for most buyers; first-time buyers can borrow up to 90% LTV. Figures are illustrative, not financial advice.
Stamp duty on a Dunshaughlin property
Pre-filled with Dunshaughlin's median price. Change the purchase price and see your stamp duty and total cost instantly.
Irish residential stamp duty: 1% on the first €1,000,000; 2% on any amount above. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Dunshaughlin home
Pre-filled with Dunshaughlin's median price. Uses the 2026 Revenue valuation bands (valuation date: 1 November 2025).
Revenue LPT 2026-2030 band table (source: revenue.ie). Your local authority can vary the base charge by up to 15%. Figures are illustrative; verify at Revenue's LPT reckoner for your exact property.
Rent cap calculator for Dunshaughlin
Pre-filled with Dunshaughlin's median rent. From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland are covered by national rent control: the annual increase is capped at 2% or CPI inflation, whichever is lower.
Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2025; national rent control from 1 March 2026 (source: rtb.ie). RPZ_CAP_PCT = 2.0% per annum -- flagged for Bryan to verify the exact statutory rate before publishing. Figures are illustrative, not legal advice.