Living in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Rathfarnham
- Getting around and commuting
- 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 €750,000, versus €695,000 across the Dublin region. The Department of Education dataset lists 5 schools keyed to the town (3 primary, 2 post-primary), and there are 542 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 €750,000 to buy.
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 251 sales · updated July 2026
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.
Getting around and commuting
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) | €750,000 (+3.4% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent | — |
| Gross rental yield | — |
| Net yield (est.) | — |
| Dublin county median | €500k |
| New build / second-hand | €1,275,000 / €725,000 |
What this means: New builds in Rathfarnham sell at about a 76% premium to second-hand homes (€1,275,000 vs €725,000).
Recent sales in Rathfarnham
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 26 | 5 LLEWELLYN GROVE, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 16 | Second-hand | €625,000 |
| 26 Jun 26 | 28 WOODFIELD, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 16 | Second-hand | €976,000 |
| 25 Jun 26 | 77 LONGWOOD PARK, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €898,000 |
| 25 Jun 26 | 91 RATHFARNHAM WOOD, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €1,285,000 |
| 23 Jun 26 | 16 ARANLEIGH MOUNT, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €985,000 |
| 23 Jun 26 | 51 GRANGE PARK, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €1,400,000 |
| 19 Jun 26 | 10 ARANLEIGH PARK, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €760,000 |
| 19 Jun 26 | 127 BUTTERFIELD AVE, RATHFARNHAM, DUBLIN 14 | Second-hand | €865,000 |
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 | €731,000 | 282 sales | |
| 2026 | €772,500 | 104 sales |
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 | 750000 | |
| County Dublin median | 500000 |
Local Property Tax in Rathfarnham
The median home (€750,000) 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.
Before you move: planning and flood
Recent development in Rathfarnham
In the 12 months to July 2026, 39 planning grants were recorded in and around Rathfarnham.
| 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... | |
| 2026-05-29 | Modifications to the previously permitted development reg ref: SD23A/0346 (An Bord Pleanala ref: ABP-320269-24), for the construction of a new two... | |
| 2026-06-15 | Demolition of rear and side single storey structures (approx. 19.5sqm) and the construction of a single storey extension to front, the construction... |
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 · Mount Merrion · Sandycove · Glenageary · Rathgar · Dalkey
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 €750,000 to buy (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 (OpenStreetMap routing).
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.
Median of open-market sales each year (Property Price Register). Latest year is partial.
Could a home in Rathfarnham pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham's median price. There's no RTB rent for Rathfarnham 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 Rathfarnham?
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham property
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham home
Pre-filled with Rathfarnham'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 Rathfarnham
No RTB rental data for Rathfarnham yet -- starting 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). RPZ_CAP_PCT = 2.0% per annum -- flagged for Bryan to verify the exact statutory rate before publishing. Figures are illustrative, not legal advice.
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.
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02). 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.
See the full Rathfarnham house prices page: median, year trend, rents by bedroom, yields and recent sales.
Visiting first? Things to do in Rathfarnham covers attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.