Living in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Rathfarnham
- Commuting to Dublin
- Getting around Rathfarnham
- Schools in Rathfarnham
- Things to do in and around Rathfarnham
- Where Rathfarnham is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Rathfarnham
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Rathfarnham
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Rathfarnham
- Nearby Dublin towns
- Population and demographics
Is Rathfarnham a nice place to live?
Rathfarnham is home to about 1,253 households, 75% owner-occupied and 22% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €760,000, versus €499,999 across the Dublin region, and the average rent reported by the RTB is €2,298 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 5 schools keyed to the town (3 primary, 2 post-primary), and there are 547 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Dublin Heuston, 5.3 km away, and 15 bus and rail routes serve the town. The sections below break each of these down.
Rathfarnham is a town in Co. Dublin, about 13 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 5 schools, 75.3% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €760,000 to buy or €2,298 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 3.6% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 254 sales · PPR sales to Sep 2026 · CSO benchmark to Jul 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Rathfarnham: 75.3% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Rathfarnham
3,145 people live in Rathfarnham on Census 2022 night. 75% of households own their home and 22% rent, so Rathfarnham leans towards owner occupiers. The most common way to commute is by car (52%). 16% are under 15 and 20% are aged 65 and over. 70% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 3,145 |
| Owner-occupied households | 75% |
| Rented households | 22% |
| Aged under 15 | 16% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 28% |
| Aged 65 and over | 20% |
| Third level or higher | 70% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 58% |
| Unemployment rate | 2% |
| Commute by car | 52% |
| Commute by public transport | 17% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 29% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics, CC-BY 4.0. Figures are for the Rathfarnham Village electoral division around Rathfarnham.
Commuting to Dublin
Nearest train station: Dublin Heuston (5.3 km away), on several Dublin intercity lines
Public transport serving Rathfarnham: 5 operators
Getting around Rathfarnham
Rathfarnham is served by 5 public-transport operators running 15 scheduled routes. Operators are Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus, Dublin Coach, Go-Ahead Ireland, Nitelink, Dublin Bus and Slevins Coaches.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Dublin Coach | Bus / coach |
| Go-Ahead Ireland | Bus / coach |
| Nitelink, Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Slevins Coaches | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes (a sample of 15)
- 15 - Ballycullen Road - Clongriffin
- 16 - Ballinteer - Dublin Airport
- 65 - Poolbeg Street - Blessington/Ballymore
- 74 - Dundrum Luas - Eden Quay
- S6 - The Square - Blackrock Station
- S8 - Kingswood Avenue - Dun Laoghaire Stn
- 116 - Whitechurch - Parnell Square
- 15B - Merrion Square - Stocking Avenue
- 15D - Merrion Square - Whitechurch
- 161 - Rockbrook - Dundrum
- 16D - Airport - Beaumont Village - Ballinteer not
- 49n - D'Olier Street - Kilnamanagh
- 65B - Poolbeg Street - Citywest
- 750 - Dundrum - Dublin Airport
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 Rathfarnham
There are 3 primary and 2 post-primary schools in and around Rathfarnham.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loreto High School | Post-primary | 645 | |
| Clochar Loreto N S | Primary | 445 | |
| Scoil Mhuire Boys | Primary | 367 | |
| Gaelcholáiste An Phiarsaigh | Post-primary | 304 | |
| Rathfarnham Educate Together | Primary | 188 |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Rathfarnham
- Heritage nearby: Rathfarnham Castle (0 km) · Kilmashogue Megalithic Tomb (5 km) · Kilmainham Gaol (5 km) · St. Audoens Church, Dublin City (5 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 Rathfarnham is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Rathfarnham
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €760,000 (+3.1% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €2,298 |
| Gross rental yield | 3.6% |
| Net yield (est.) | 2.8% |
| Dublin county median | €500k |
| New build / second-hand | €835,000 / €740,000 |
What this means: New builds in Rathfarnham sell at about a 13% premium to second-hand homes (€835,000 vs €740,000).
Recent sales in Rathfarnham
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 Sep 26 | 62 CRANNAGH PARK, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €1,150,000 |
| 22 Sep 26 | 21 MOORE HOUSE, LORETO ABBEY, RATHFARNHAM | Second-hand | €405,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 11 FONTHILL ABBEY, BALLYBODEN RD, RATHFARNHAM | Second-hand | €805,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 21 ODINS WAY, TAYLORS LANE, RATHFARNHAM | Second-hand | €920,000 |
| 18 Sep 26 | 65 LOWER DODDER RD, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €920,000 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 16 St. Winnow, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham | New | €524,229 |
| 17 Sep 26 | 5 THE CRESCENT, SCHOLARSTOWN WOOD, RATHFARNHAM | Second-hand | €730,000 |
| 15 Sep 26 | 23 WILLBROOK RD, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €1,400,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Rathfarnham median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €580,000 | 229 sales | |
| 2024 | €645,000 | 256 sales | |
| 2025 | €730,000 | 281 sales | |
| 2026 | €760,000 | 175 sales |
Average rent by size (Q4 2025)
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| €1,580 | €2,020 | €2,392 | €3,104 |
Maximum legal rent increase in Rathfarnham
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
Rathfarnham compared with County Dublin
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| Rathfarnham | 760000 | |
| County Dublin median | 500000 |
Rent or buy in Rathfarnham?
At a glance: €760,000 to buy versus €2,298 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 3.6% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Rathfarnham
The median home (€760,000) falls in LPT Band 7, a base charge of €713 a year before Dublin County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Rathfarnham: 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 Rathfarnham
In the 12 months to September 2026, 38 planning grants were recorded in and around Rathfarnham. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-03-02 | Demolition of existing garage at side and subdivision of the site; construction of a two storey, detached dwelling house with three bedrooms and... | 1 |
| 2025-12-10 | Replacement of existing attached garage with 2 storey extension, a new 2 storey rear extension of ground floor kitchen and master bedroom above, a... | |
| 2025-11-21 | Demolition of existing single-storey extension to the side and rear. Construction of a two-storey pitched roof extension to the side and rear and a... | |
| 2026-09-07 | (1) retention of existing concrete slab (2) completion of Slab & planning permission for extension to existing Fabrication unit (additional floor... | |
| 2026-05-29 | Modifications to the previously permitted development reg ref: SD23A/0346 (An Bord Pleanala ref: ABP-320269-24), for the construction of a new two... |
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.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Rathfarnham, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Rathfarnham, Dublin.
View the official OPW flood maps for Rathfarnham →
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 Rathfarnham
What's it like to live in Rathfarnham?
Rathfarnham is a town in Co. Dublin, about 13 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 5 schools, 75.3% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Rathfarnham?
A home in Rathfarnham costs a median €760,000 to buy or €2,298 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 3.6% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Rathfarnham to Dublin?
About 13 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, estimated.
What schools are in Rathfarnham?
Schools in Rathfarnham include Loreto High School, Clochar Loreto N S, Scoil Mhuire Boys, Gaelcholáiste An Phiarsaigh, among 3 primary and 2 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Rathfarnham?
Rathfarnham had a population of 3,145 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Rathfarnham had a population of 3,145 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 3,145 |
|---|---|
| Households | 1,253 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75% |
| Rented homes | 22% |
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 175 sales recorded to July 2026. Over the 12 months to 25 September 2026 the median was €760,000.
Could a home in Rathfarnham pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham?
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham property
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham home
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham costs
Real figures for Rathfarnham: 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 €1,580 · 2 bed €2,020 · 3 bed €2,392 · 4+ bed €3,104
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham
- Rathfarnham house prices: median, year trend and the latest sales recorded on the Property Price Register.
- Things to do in Rathfarnham: 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.