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Guide · Schools in Ireland for expat families

Schools in Ireland, explained for families arriving from abroad.

State, voluntary, private and international — how the Irish school system fits together, what actually determines admission, and where families most often get the sequencing wrong.

Book a Discovery CallFor families relocating to Ireland

SettleDone coordinates the schooling workstream — shortlists, introductions, timing, visits and integration. We are not an educational consultancy and we do not make admissions decisions on behalf of schools.

At a glance

The five categories of school families weigh up.

  1. State and voluntary schools

    Free, high quality, catchment-driven.

    Most Irish children attend state-funded primary and secondary schools. Quality is generally strong, but strong schools are oversubscribed and admissions rules are strict. Where you live effectively decides the shortlist.

  2. Fee-paying and Grind schools

    Widely used by professional Dublin families.

    A well-established private sector operates around Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick, with fees typically €7,000–€15,000 per year. Waiting lists exist; earlier applications sit higher.

  3. International curricula

    Limited but real — mostly Dublin.

    International Baccalaureate, French, German and English-national-curriculum options exist in Dublin. Useful for families expecting a future onward move, or for continuity mid-schooling.

  4. Special educational needs

    Structured public system; private supports available.

    The National Council for Special Education coordinates supports in state and voluntary schools. Assessments and continuity of care take planning, especially if you're transferring an existing US or EU support plan.

  5. Third level (university)

    Meaningfully cheaper than the US for EU residents.

    The student contribution is roughly €3,000 per year for EU/EEA-resident students. Non-EU fees are considerably higher. Residency rules for third-level fees depend on how long the family has been in Ireland — worth modelling early.

Housing and schooling are one decision

Get a shortlist that respects both, before you commit to either.

Book a Discovery Call

Sequencing

How we run schooling alongside housing.

The most common mistake is choosing an area first and then trying to secure a school. In tight admissions cycles that closes doors. We run the two conversations in parallel: what your children need, which schools realistically fit, and which neighbourhoods keep those schools in play.

For families on Family Settle or Complete Ireland this is a single coordinated workstream — the same person owns the sequencing end to end.

Related reading

Moving to Ireland with children from the USDublin neighbourhoods for familiesComplete guide to moving to Ireland

Ways to work with us

Ways to work with us

From shortlist to first day of term.

Common questions

Schools in Ireland — frequently asked.

  • Primary school runs from ages 4–12 (Junior Infants to 6th Class). Secondary is 5–6 years, split into Junior Cycle, an optional Transition Year, and Senior Cycle ending in the Leaving Certificate. Most schools are state-funded, with a large voluntary sector historically run by religious patron bodies. A smaller private and international sector operates mainly in and around Dublin.

Next step

Start the schooling conversation early.

A complimentary 30-minute Discovery Call. No obligation. A clear recommendation of the right next step.

Book a Discovery CallSee our programmes