Living in Newtownforbes, Co. Longford: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Newtownforbes
- Getting around and commuting
- Getting around Newtownforbes
- Schools in Newtownforbes
- Things to do in and around Newtownforbes
- Where Newtownforbes is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Newtownforbes
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Newtownforbes
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Newtownforbes
- Nearby Longford towns
- Population and demographics
Is Newtownforbes a nice place to live?
Newtownforbes is home to about 358 households, 56% owner-occupied and 38% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €156,000, versus €210,000 across the Midland region. The Department of Education dataset lists 2 schools keyed to the town (2 primary). The nearest rail station is Longford, 5.4 km away, and 3 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Newtownforbes is a town in Co. Longford, about 106 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 2 schools, 56.1% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €156,000 to buy.
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 16 sales · PPR sales to Aug 2026 · CSO benchmark to May 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Newtownforbes: 56.1% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Newtownforbes
851 people live in Newtownforbes on Census 2022 night. 56% of households own their home and 38% rent, so Newtownforbes leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (69%). 19% are under 15 and 17% are aged 65 and over. 40% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 851 |
| Owner-occupied households | 56% |
| Rented households | 38% |
| Aged under 15 | 19% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 27% |
| Aged 65 and over | 17% |
| Third level or higher | 40% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 53% |
| Unemployment rate | 7% |
| Commute by car | 69% |
| Commute by public transport | 13% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 12% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics for the Newtownforbes built-up area, CC-BY 4.0.
Getting around and commuting
Nearest train station: Longford (5.4 km away), on the Maynooth and Sligo lines
Public transport serving Newtownforbes: 2 operators
Getting around Newtownforbes
Newtownforbes is served by 2 public-transport operators running 3 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Éireann and TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes
- 23 - Dublin - Airport - Longford - Sligo
- 469 - Sligo - Drumkeeran - Longford
- 862 - Longford - Cavan
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 Newtownforbes
There are 2 primary schools in and around Newtownforbes, 1 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoil Mhuire N S | Primary | 317 | DEIS |
| S N Cnoc An Mharcaigh | Primary | 289 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Newtownforbes
- Heritage nearby: Corlea Trackway (17 km) · Granard Motte and Bailey Castle (22 km)
- Walking trails in County Longford: Royal Canal Way · Royal Canal Greenway Walking Trail · Aughnacliffe Mass Bridge Trail · Aughnacliffe Waterfall Trail
Where Newtownforbes is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Newtownforbes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €156,000 (-20.0% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent | — |
| Gross rental yield | — |
| Net yield (est.) | — |
| Longford county median | €210k |
| New build / second-hand | — / €156,000 |
Recent sales in Newtownforbes
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06 Aug 26 | BRISKILL, NEWTOWNFORBES, COUNTY LONGFORD | Second-hand | €80,000 |
| 29 Jul 26 | 3 MCART MEADOWS, LEITRIM CROSS, NEWTOWNFORBES | Second-hand | €300,000 |
| 02 Jul 26 | BRISKHILL, NEWTOWNFORBES, COUNTY LONGFORD | Second-hand | €250,000 |
| 16 Jun 26 | 2 CLONGUISH COURT, NEWTOWNFORBES, CO LONGFORD | Second-hand | €75,000 |
| 28 May 26 | CLOONTAGH, NEWTOWNFORBES, CO LONGFORD | Second-hand | €65,000 |
| 30 Apr 26 | 15 CLONGUISH COURT, NEWTOWNFORBES, LONGFORD | Second-hand | €164,000 |
| 21 Apr 26 | A THE BERKELY, NEWTOWNFORBES, LONGFORD | Second-hand | €137,000 |
| 10 Apr 26 | APT 1, MAIN ST, NEWTOWNFORBES | Second-hand | €100,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Newtownforbes median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €168,000 | 21 sales | |
| 2024 | €227,500 | 6 sales | |
| 2025 | €170,000 | 11 sales | |
| 2026 | €164,000 | 11 sales |
Maximum legal rent increase in Newtownforbes
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
Newtownforbes compared with County Longford
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Longford median | 210000 | |
| Newtownforbes | 156000 |
Local Property Tax in Newtownforbes
The median home (€156,000) falls in LPT Band 1, a base charge of €95 a year before Longford County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Newtownforbes
In the 12 months to August 2026, 22 planning grants were recorded in and around Newtownforbes, including 7 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-03 | changes to previously granted planning 2328 where permission was granted for ‘demolition of existing fire damaged single storey dwelling and domestic... | 1 |
| 2026-03-27 | the construction of a two storey extension to the rear of a single storey dwelling house, internal and external alterations to existing dwelling... | 1 |
| 2026-02-24 | renovation and extension of existing two storey dwelling, upgrade of access, install new wastewater treatment system, polishing filter and all... | 1 |
| 2025-09-22 | proposed construction of single storey extension to the rear of an existing bungalow type dwelling house and all ancillary site works | 1 |
| 2025-10-21 | to construct an extension to the rear of an existing two storey type dwelling house, new porch, accommodation in garage roof space, internal and... | 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 7 homes approved here in the last year are about 2% of Newtownforbes's roughly 358 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Newtownforbes, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Newtownforbes, Longford.
View the official OPW flood maps for Newtownforbes →
Source: Office of Public Works, floodinfo.ie. No OPW flood-extent values are reproduced here.
County context
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022 Census) | 46,751 |
| Population change 2016 to 2022 | +14.4% |
| Disposable income per person (index, State = 100) | 76.5 |
| New dwelling permissions (Midland region, 2017) | 168 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 Longford towns
Longford · Ballymahon · Edgeworthstown
All Longford 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 Newtownforbes
What's it like to live in Newtownforbes?
Newtownforbes is a town in Co. Longford, about 106 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 2 schools, 56.1% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Newtownforbes?
A home in Newtownforbes costs a median €156,000 to buy (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Newtownforbes to Dublin?
About 106 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line (OpenStreetMap routing).
What schools are in Newtownforbes?
Schools in Newtownforbes include Scoil Mhuire N S, S N Cnoc An Mharcaigh, among 2 primary and 0 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Newtownforbes?
Newtownforbes had a population of 851 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Newtownforbes had a population of 851 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 851 |
|---|---|
| Households | 358 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 56% |
| Rented homes | 38% |
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.
Median of open-market sales each year (Property Price Register). Latest year is partial.
Could a home in Newtownforbes pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Newtownforbes's median price. There's no RTB rent for Newtownforbes yet, so the monthly rent below is an estimate — change it to a real 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 Newtownforbes?
Pre-filled with Newtownforbes's median price. Adjust the income and deposit and it recalculates instantly.
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 Newtownforbes property
Pre-filled with Newtownforbes's median price. Change the purchase price 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. Figures are illustrative, not legal or financial advice.
Local Property Tax for a Newtownforbes home
Pre-filled with Newtownforbes'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 Newtownforbes
No RTB rental data for Newtownforbes yet, so this starts from a typical Leinster rent. From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies 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). Figures are illustrative, not legal advice.
What a month in Newtownforbes costs
Real figures for Newtownforbes: 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). Ownership: repayment mortgage on Newtownforbes'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.
See the full Newtownforbes house prices page: median, year trend, rents by bedroom, yields and recent sales.
Visiting first? Things to do in Newtownforbes covers attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.