Living in Harolds Cross, Co. Dublin: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Harolds Cross
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Harolds Cross
- Schools in Harolds Cross
- Things to do in and around Harolds Cross
- Where Harolds Cross is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Harolds Cross
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Harolds Cross
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Harolds Cross
- Nearby Dublin towns
- Population and demographics
Is Harolds Cross a nice place to live?
Harolds Cross is home to about 1,617 households, 65% owner-occupied and 30% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €565,000, versus €454,000 across the Dublin region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €2,207 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 4 schools keyed to the town (3 primary, 1 post-primary), and there are 554 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Dublin Heuston, 3.3 km away, and 8 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Harolds Cross is a town in Co. Dublin, about 11 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 4 schools, 65.1% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €565,000 to buy or €2,207 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 4.7% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 71 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Harolds Cross: 65.1% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Harolds Cross
3,982 people live in Harolds Cross on Census 2022 night. 65% of households own their home and 30% rent, so Harolds Cross leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by foot or bike (49%). 18% are under 15 and 14% are aged 65 and over. 71% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 3,982 |
| Owner-occupied households | 65% |
| Rented households | 30% |
| Aged under 15 | 18% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 37% |
| Aged 65 and over | 14% |
| Third level or higher | 71% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 67% |
| Unemployment rate | 3% |
| Commute by car | 32% |
| Commute by public transport | 16% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 49% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics, CC-BY 4.0. Figures are for the Terenure A electoral division around Harolds Cross.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Dublin Heuston (3.3 km away), on several Dublin intercity lines
Public transport serving Harolds Cross: 2 operators
Getting around Harolds Cross
Harolds Cross is served by 2 public-transport operators running 8 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus and Nitelink, Dublin Bus.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Nitelink, Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 16 - Ballinteer - Dublin Airport
- 82 - Irishtown - Kiltipper
- F1 - The Square Tallaght - IKEA
- F2 - Charlestown SC - Rossmore
- F3 - Charlestown SC - Limekiln Avenue
- S2 - Sean Moore Road - Heuston Station
- 16D - Airport - Beaumont Village - Ballinteer not
- 49n - D'Olier Street - Kilnamanagh
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 Harolds Cross
There are 3 primary and 1 post-primary schools in and around Harolds Cross, 1 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harolds Cross N S | Primary | 398 | DEIS |
| Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary School | Post-primary | 350 | |
| Gaelscoil Mologa | Primary | 229 | |
| Dublin 6 Clonskeagh And Dublin 6W Primary School | Primary | 174 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Harolds Cross
- Heritage nearby: Rathfarnham Castle (2 km) · St. Audoens Church, Dublin City (3 km) · Kilmainham Gaol (3 km) · St. Mary's Abbey Abbey, Dublin City (4 km)
- Walking trails in County Dublin: Wicklow Way · Barnaslingan - Pine loop trail (Blue) · Barnaslingan - Scalp Lookout Trail (Red) · Carrickgollogan - Lead Mines Way - (Orange)
- Nature reserves: Wicklow Mountains National Park · North Bull Island Nature Reserve · Rogerstown Estuary Nature Reserve
Where Harolds Cross is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Harolds Cross
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €565,000 (+1.1% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €2,207 |
| Gross rental yield | 4.7% |
| Net yield (est.) | 3.6% |
| Dublin county median | €500k |
| New build / second-hand | n/a / €565,000 |
Recent sales in Harolds Cross
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 26 | APT 1, 50 KENILWORTH PARK, HAROLDS CROSS | Second-hand | €1,410,000 |
| 10 Sep 26 | 5 ADRIAN AVE, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN 6W | Second-hand | €782,500 |
| 25 Aug 26 | 105 LARKFIELD GARDENS, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN 6W | Second-hand | €702,000 |
| 25 Aug 26 | 25 WESTFIELD RD, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN 6W | Second-hand | €1,255,000 |
| 13 Aug 26 | 7 MOUNT ARGUS COURT, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN | Second-hand | €617,500 |
| 07 Aug 26 | 13 BOYNE COURT, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN 6 | Second-hand | €330,000 |
| 05 Aug 26 | 3 ARMSTRONG ST, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN 6W | Second-hand | €450,000 |
| 05 Aug 26 | 6 CASIMIR AVE, HAROLDS CROSS, DUBLIN 6W | Second-hand | €831,078 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Harolds Cross median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €478,000 | 67 sales | |
| 2024 | €545,000 | 75 sales | |
| 2025 | €570,000 | 70 sales | |
| 2026 | €562,500 | 50 sales |
Average rent by size (Q4 2025)
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1,612 | €2,267 | n/a | n/a |
Maximum legal rent increase in Harolds Cross
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
Harolds Cross compared with County Dublin
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Harolds Cross | 565000 | |
| County Dublin median | 500000 |
Rent or buy in Harolds Cross?
At a glance: €565,000 to buy versus €2,207 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.7% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Harolds Cross
The median home (€565,000) falls in LPT Band 5, a base charge of €523 a year before Dublin County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Harolds Cross: 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 Harolds Cross
In the 12 months to September 2026, 34 planning grants were recorded in and around Harolds Cross, including 4 new homes approved across those grants. Data gap: the DHLGH planning layer holds no Dublin City Council application received after 30 Jul 2026, although the council's own register is still publishing, so this figure understates the last 12 months until the department resumes ingestion.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-15 | PROTECTED STRUCTURE: The proposed development comprises of the construction of 2 no. three bedroom, two storey dwellings to the rear of 76 Leinster... | 2 |
| 2026-06-08 | PROTECTED STRUCTURE: We, Declan & Maeve O'Neill, intend to apply for permission for proposed development works at the site to the rear of 84 Leinster... | 1 |
| 2026-03-25 | The development will consist of the change of use of an existing garage – industrial unit into a 1bed residential unit. Works include formation of... | 1 |
| 2025-12-05 | RETENTION / PLANNING PERMISSION : We, Mr. Morgan Crowe & Ms. Brid Large intend to apply for Planning Permission and Retention Permission for... | 1 |
| 2026-07-27 | RETENTION: Retention of the ground floor level rear window to the garden room at the rear of 26 Westfield Rd, Harold's Cross, Dublin, D6W N242. |
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 4 homes approved here in the last year are about 0% of Harolds Cross's roughly 1,617 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Harolds Cross, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Harolds Cross, Dublin.
View the official OPW flood maps for Harolds Cross →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 1,458,154 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +8.2% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 116.6 |
| New dwelling permissions (Dublin region, 2017) | 848 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 Dublin towns
Dartry · Sandycove · Mount Merrion · Rathgar · Glenageary · Rathmines
All Dublin 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 Harolds Cross
What's it like to live in Harolds Cross?
Harolds Cross is a town in Co. Dublin, about 11 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 4 schools, 65.1% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Harolds Cross?
A home in Harolds Cross costs a median €565,000 to buy or €2,207 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 4.7% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Harolds Cross to Dublin?
About 11 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Harolds Cross?
Schools in Harolds Cross include Harolds Cross N S, Harolds Cross Educate Together Secondary School, Gaelscoil Mologa, Dublin 6 Clonskeagh And Dublin 6W Primary School, among 3 primary and 1 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Harolds Cross?
Harolds Cross had a population of 3,982 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Harolds Cross had a population of 3,982 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 3,982 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,617 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65% |
| Rented homes | 30% |
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 50 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €565,000.
Could a home in Harolds Cross pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Harolds Cross'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 Harolds Cross?
Pre-filled with Harolds Cross'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 Harolds Cross property
Pre-filled with Harolds Cross'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 Harolds Cross home
Pre-filled with Harolds Cross'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 Harolds Cross
Pre-filled with Harolds Cross'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 Harolds Cross costs
Real figures for Harolds Cross: 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 €1,612 · 2 bed €2,267
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Harolds Cross'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 Harolds Cross
- Harolds Cross house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Harolds Cross: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Dublin: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Dublin planning applications by district: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.