Living in Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Kilcoole
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Kilcoole
- Schools in Kilcoole
- Things to do in and around Kilcoole
- Where Kilcoole is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Kilcoole
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Kilcoole
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Kilcoole
- Nearby Wicklow towns
- Population and demographics
Is Kilcoole a nice place to live?
Kilcoole is home to about 1,475 households, 77% owner-occupied and 20% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €549,999, versus €512,500 across the Mid-East region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €1,919 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 2 schools keyed to the town (1 primary, 1 post-primary), and there are 20 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Kilcoole, 0 km away, and 4 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Kilcoole is a town in Co. Wicklow, about 34 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 2 schools, 77.4% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €549,999 to buy or €1,919 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2024).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 45 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Kilcoole: 77.4% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Kilcoole
4,569 people live in Kilcoole on Census 2022 night. 77% of households own their home and 20% rent, so Kilcoole leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (61%). It skews young: 24% are under 15 against 12% aged 65 and over. 42% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 4,569 |
| Owner-occupied households | 77% |
| Rented households | 20% |
| Aged under 15 | 24% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 27% |
| Aged 65 and over | 12% |
| Third level or higher | 42% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 59% |
| Unemployment rate | 5% |
| Commute by car | 61% |
| Commute by public transport | 14% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 19% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Kilcoole built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Kilcoole (in the town), on the DART line
Public transport serving Kilcoole: Rail + bus
Getting around Kilcoole
Kilcoole is served by 3 public-transport operators running 4 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland and Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Go-Ahead Ireland | Bus / coach |
| Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail | Rail |
Scheduled routes
- L2 - Sea Road, Newcastle - Bray Station
- X1 - Kilcoole - Hawkins Street
- X2 - Newcastle - Hawkins Street
- rail - Dublin - Europort
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 Kilcoole
There are 1 primary and 1 post-primary schools in and around Kilcoole.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colaiste Chraobh Abhann | Post-primary | 774 | |
| Kilcoole Primary School | Primary | 553 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Kilcoole
- Heritage nearby: Tully Church (17 km) · Monkstown Castle (22 km) · Glendalough (22 km) · Kilmashogue Megalithic Tomb (23 km)
- Walking trails in County Wicklow: Wicklow Way · Arklow Loops Glenart Walk · Arklow Loops Kynoch Walk · Arklow Loops Love Lane Walk
- Nature reserves: Wicklow Mountains National Park · Glendalough Nature Reserve · Glenealo Valley Nature Reserve
Where Kilcoole is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Kilcoole
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €549,999 (+27.9% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2024) | €1,919 |
| Gross rental yield | n/a |
| Net yield (est.) | n/a |
| Wicklow county median | €512k |
| New build / second-hand | €674,999 / €465,683 |
What this means: Kilcoole's rent figure is the last published RTB quarter (Q4 2024). RTB has not yet published a more recent quarter for this town.
What this means: New builds in Kilcoole sell at about a 45% premium to second-hand homes (€674,999 vs €465,683).
Recent sales in Kilcoole
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Sep 26 | 50 BEACHDALE, KILCOOLE, CO WICKLOW | Second-hand | €576,000 |
| 26 Aug 26 | 1 Ballycrone, Kilcoole | New | €594,713 |
| 13 Aug 26 | 2 CORRIG HALL, KILCOOLE, CO WICKLOW | Second-hand | €872,000 |
| 05 Aug 26 | 32 BAYVIEW CLOSE, KILCOOLE, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €425,000 |
| 28 Jul 26 | 5 BAYVIEW CLOSE, KILCOOLE, CO WICKLOW | Second-hand | €415,000 |
| 21 Jul 26 | 146 BEECH DALE, KILCOOLE, CO WICKLOW | Second-hand | €405,000 |
| 20 Jul 26 | 24 SYLVAN LAWNS, KILCOOLE, WICKLOW | Second-hand | €460,000 |
| 11 Jun 26 | 2 Ballycrone, Kilcoole | New | €612,334 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Kilcoole median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €425,000 | 45 sales | |
| 2024 | €414,000 | 38 sales | |
| 2025 | €480,000 | 51 sales | |
| 2026 | €550,000 | 31 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Kilcoole
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
Kilcoole compared with County Wicklow
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Kilcoole | 549999 | |
| County Wicklow median | 512000 |
Rent or buy in Kilcoole?
At a glance: €549,999 to buy versus €1,919 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2024).
Local Property Tax in Kilcoole
The median home (€549,999) falls in LPT Band 5, a base charge of €523 a year before Wicklow County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Kilcoole: 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 Kilcoole
In the 12 months to September 2026, 30 planning grants were recorded in and around Kilcoole, including 2 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-10 | • construction of a four-bedroom, two-storey dwelling on lands to the side of an existing dwelling at Ballydonarea, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow, A63 XT72... | 1 |
| 2026-08-26 | detached dwelling, new entrance onto public road for proposed dwelling and existing dwelling on site, connection to all services and associate works | 1 |
| 2026-09-18 | 1)retention of existing Single storey studio structure; 2) the construction of a Single storey extension to the side of existing two storey dwelling... | |
| 2026-09-16 | change of use from light industrial to retail / showroom at ground floor level and from light industrial to associated office at first floor level... | |
| 2026-09-15 | 6 no. self-catering units with external decking, unit with office and sensory play room, wastewater treatment system, access driveway and parking... |
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 2 homes approved here in the last year are about 0% of Kilcoole's roughly 1,475 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Kilcoole, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Kilcoole, Wicklow.
View the official OPW flood maps for Kilcoole →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 155,851 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +9.4% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 100.7 |
| 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 Wicklow towns
Delgany · Greystones · Newtownmountkennedy · Bray · Wicklow · Blessington
All Wicklow 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 Kilcoole
What's it like to live in Kilcoole?
Kilcoole is a town in Co. Wicklow, about 34 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 2 schools, 77.4% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Kilcoole?
A home in Kilcoole costs a median €549,999 to buy or €1,919 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2024) (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Kilcoole to Dublin?
About 34 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Kilcoole?
Schools in Kilcoole include Colaiste Chraobh Abhann, Kilcoole Primary School, among 1 primary and 1 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Kilcoole?
Kilcoole had a population of 4,569 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Kilcoole had a population of 4,569 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 4,569 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,475 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77% |
| Rented homes | 20% |
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 31 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €549,999.
Could a home in Kilcoole pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Kilcoole's median price and average rent (RTB Q4 2024). 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 Kilcoole?
Pre-filled with Kilcoole'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 Kilcoole property
Pre-filled with Kilcoole'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 Kilcoole home
Pre-filled with Kilcoole'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 Kilcoole
Pre-filled with Kilcoole'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 Kilcoole costs
Real figures for Kilcoole: 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 2024. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Kilcoole'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 Kilcoole
- Kilcoole house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Kilcoole: attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.
- What's on in Co. Wicklow: festivals, markets and gigs, grouped by week and refreshed every Monday.
- Planning applications in Co. Wicklow: what has been lodged, granted and refused in the last 12 months.