Living in Spencer Dock, Co. Dublin: Schools, Commute & House Prices 2026
On this page
- Who lives in Spencer Dock
- Getting around and commuting
- Getting around Spencer Dock
- Schools in Spencer Dock
- Things to do in and around Spencer Dock
- Where Spencer Dock is
- What it costs: house prices and rent in Spencer Dock
- Before you move: planning and flood
- Recent development in Spencer Dock
- Flood maps
- County context
- Common questions about living in Spencer Dock
- Nearby Dublin towns
- Population and demographics
Is Spencer Dock a nice place to live?
Spencer Dock is home to about 3,511 households, 30% owner-occupied and 63% renting, according to Census 2022. The median sale price over the last 12 months was €480,000, versus €466,000 across the Dublin region, and the median rent is €2,416 a month. The Department of Education dataset lists 1 school keyed to the town (1 primary), and there are 565 visitor attractions within 10 km. The nearest rail station is Docklands, 0.3 km away, and 51 bus and rail routes serve the town, including the Luas. The sections below break each of these down.
Spencer Dock is a town in Co. Dublin, about 9 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 1 schools, 30.5% of households own their home. Living here costs a median €480,000 to buy or €2,416 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025) (a 6.0% gross yield).
Official CSO, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland, PPR & RTB data · 29 sales · PPR sales to Aug 2026 · CSO benchmark to May 2026 · rents Q4 2025 (RTB)
Who lives in Spencer Dock: 30.5% own their home, full Census breakdown
Who lives in Spencer Dock
10,173 people live in Spencer Dock on Census 2022 night. 30% of households own their home and 63% rent, so Spencer Dock leans towards renters. The most common way to commute is by foot or bike (51%). It skews young: 14% are under 15 against 5% aged 65 and over. 62% of those who have finished education hold a third level qualification.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Population (2022) | 10,173 |
| Owner-occupied households | 30% |
| Rented households | 63% |
| Aged under 15 | 14% |
| Aged 25 to 44 | 48% |
| Aged 65 and over | 5% |
| Third level or higher | 62% |
| At work (aged 15+) | 68% |
| Unemployment rate | 5% |
| Commute by car | 21% |
| Commute by public transport | 26% |
| Commute on foot or bike | 51% |
Source: CSO Census 2022 Small Area Population Statistics, CC-BY 4.0. Figures are for the North Dock B electoral division around Spencer Dock.
Getting around and commuting
Nearest train station: Docklands (in the town), on the Maynooth line
Public transport serving Spencer Dock: Rail + bus
Getting around Spencer Dock
Spencer Dock is served by 14 public-transport operators running 51 scheduled routes. Operators are Aircoach, Ashbourne Connect, Balbriggan Express, Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann, Collins Coaches, Dublin Express, Go-Ahead Ireland, Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail, JJ Kavanagh, LUAS, Matthews Coach Hire, Swords Express and Wexford Bus. The Luas tram network reaches the town.
| Operator | Mode |
|---|---|
| Aircoach | Bus / coach |
| Ashbourne Connect | Bus / coach |
| Balbriggan Express | Bus / coach |
| Bus Átha Cliath – Dublin Bus | Bus / coach |
| Bus Éireann | Bus / coach |
| Collins Coaches | Bus / coach |
| Dublin Express | Bus / coach |
| Go-Ahead Ireland | Bus / coach |
| Iarnród Éireann / Irish Rail | Rail |
| JJ Kavanagh | Bus / coach |
| LUAS | Tram |
| Matthews Coach Hire | Bus / coach |
| Swords Express | Bus / coach |
| Wexford Bus | Bus / coach |
Scheduled routes (a sample of 51)
- 60 - Forbes Street - Tallaght
- G1 - Red Cow LUAS - Spencer Dock
- G2 - Liffey Valley SC - Spencer Dock
- N4 - Blanchardstown - Point Village
- 115 - Dublin - Mullingar
- 120 - Dublin - Edenderry
- 126 - Dublin - Rathangan
- 132 - Dublin - Carnew - Bunclody
- 142 - Portmarnock - UCD (Belfield)
- 151 - Foxborough (Balgaddy Rd) - Docklands (East Rd)
- 191 - Stamullen - Dublin
- 193 - Ashbourne - Dublin
- 194 - Ratoath - Dublin
- 33D - Portrane - St Stephens Green
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 Spencer Dock
There is 1 primary school in and around Spencer Dock, 1 of them in the DEIS programme.
| School | Level | Pupils | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| St Laurence O'Toole'S National School | Primary | 159 | DEIS |
Source: Department of Education, Data on Individual Schools. CC-BY 4.0.
Things to do in and around Spencer Dock
- Heritage nearby: St. Mary's Abbey Abbey, Dublin City (2 km) · St. Audoens Church, Dublin City (3 km) · Casino Marino, Dublin City (3 km) · Kilmainham Gaol (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 Spencer Dock is
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
What it costs: house prices and rent in Spencer Dock
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Median sale price (12 mo) | €480,000 (+14.3% YoY) |
| Average monthly rent (Q4 2025) | €2,416 |
| Gross rental yield | 6.0% |
| Net yield (est.) | 4.7% |
| Dublin county median | €500k |
| New build / second-hand | — / €480,000 |
Recent sales in Spencer Dock
| Date | Address | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Jul 26 | 13 LONGFORD HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €415,000 |
| 13 Jul 26 | 19 COPEBRIDGE HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €610,092 |
| 08 Jul 26 | 6 THOMASTOWN HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, I F S C DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €285,000 |
| 06 Jul 26 | 55 CLONCURRY HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, I F S C DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €485,000 |
| 12 Jun 26 | 6 BALTRASNA HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €300,000 |
| 09 Jun 26 | Apartment 41, Hill of Down House, Spencer Dock | Second-hand | €575,000 |
| 28 May 26 | APT 21 - RIVERSTOWN HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €412,000 |
| 25 May 26 | 7 PAKENHAM HOUSE, SPENCER DOCK, DUBLIN 1 | Second-hand | €500,000 |
Actual sale prices from the Property Price Register, verifiable at propertypriceregister.ie.
Spencer Dock median price, year by year
| Year | Median | Relative | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | €400,000 | 17 sales | |
| 2024 | €420,000 | 23 sales | |
| 2025 | €468,500 | 28 sales | |
| 2026 | €456,000 | 21 sales |
Average rent by size (Q4 2025)
| 1-bed | 2-bed | 3-bed | 4+ bed |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | €2,447 | — | — |
Maximum legal rent increase in Spencer Dock
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
Spencer Dock compared with County Dublin
| County | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| County Dublin median | 500000 | |
| Spencer Dock | 480000 |
Rent or buy in Spencer Dock?
At a glance: €480,000 to buy versus €2,416 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 6.0% gross yield.
Local Property Tax in Spencer Dock
The median home (€480,000) falls in LPT Band 4, a base charge of €428 a year before Dublin County Council's local adjustment factor. Use the calculator for your exact valuation.
Renting in Spencer Dock: 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 Spencer Dock
In the 12 months to August 2026, 14 planning grants were recorded in and around Spencer Dock, including 8 new homes approved across those grants.
| Decided | Development | Homes |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-19 | The development will consists of Construction of 8 no. apartments, comprising 5no. 2 bed and 3no. 1 bed apartments each with balconies or roof... | 8 |
| 2026-07-28 | PROTECTED STRUCTURE: SFDC Ireland Ltd. intend to apply for planning permission for development at this c.1.34 ha site located at the junction of... | |
| 2026-07-16 | SDDC No. 5 – In Liquidation, intend to apply for permission for development at the site at Units 9 – 11 Saunders House, Spencer Dock, Dublin 1, D01... | |
| 2026-06-12 | Waterside Block 9 Developments Limited intends to apply for planning permission for development on this site of c. 0.22 hectares located within City... | |
| 2026-06-05 | We, NWQ Devco Limited, intend to apply for a 10 year planning permission for development at a site consisting of the CitiGroup Building, 1 North Wall... |
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 8 homes approved here in the last year are about 0% of Spencer Dock's roughly 3,511 households, a supply pipeline that typically eases price pressure.
Flood maps
For the modelled fluvial, coastal and pluvial flood extents around Spencer Dock, open the official OPW flood maps, the authoritative source for Spencer Dock, Dublin.
View the official OPW flood maps for Spencer Dock →
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 · Rathgar · Rathmines · 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 Spencer Dock
What's it like to live in Spencer Dock?
Spencer Dock is a town in Co. Dublin, about 9 minutes from Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line, 1 schools, 30.5% of households own their home (CSO Census 2022, Department of Education, Transport for Ireland).
How much does it cost to live in Spencer Dock?
A home in Spencer Dock costs a median €480,000 to buy or €2,416 a month to rent (RTB Q4 2025), a 6.0% gross yield (Property Price Register, RTB via CSO).
How long is the commute from Spencer Dock to Dublin?
About 9 minutes to Dublin city centre by car and on the rail line (OpenStreetMap routing).
What schools are in Spencer Dock?
Schools in Spencer Dock include St Laurence O'Toole'S National School, among 1 primary and 0 post-primary in total (Department of Education, 2024/25).
What is the population of Spencer Dock?
Spencer Dock had a population of 10,173 at the 2022 Census (CSO).
Population and demographics
Spencer Dock had a population of 10,173 at the 2022 Census.
| Population (2022 Census) | 10,173 |
|---|---|
| Households | 3,511 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 30% |
| Rented homes | 63% |
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 Spencer Dock pay as a buy-to-let?
Pre-filled with Spencer Dock'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 Spencer Dock?
Pre-filled with Spencer Dock'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 Spencer Dock property
Pre-filled with Spencer Dock'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 Spencer Dock home
Pre-filled with Spencer Dock'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 Spencer Dock
Pre-filled with Spencer Dock's median rent. From 1 March 2026 all private tenancies in Ireland 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 Spencer Dock costs
Real figures for Spencer Dock: 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: 2 bed €2,447
Rent: RTB average monthly rents (RIQ02), Q4 2025. Ownership: repayment mortgage on Spencer Dock'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 Spencer Dock house prices page: median, year trend, rents by bedroom, yields and recent sales.
Visiting first? Things to do in Spencer Dock covers attractions, heritage sites and walks nearby.