Country guide

Boarding Schools in Ireland

Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery (Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration) publishes a dedicated page for non-EEA children who want to attend a fee-paying private primary or secondary school. The detailed requirements for under-18 students are on that page and on the official study visa pages, which could not be read in full in this session. Families should read those pages directly rather than rely on a summary.

Grassy sea cliffs above the dark blue Atlantic with O'Brien's Tower in the distance — Destination image. Photo: Berthold Werner · CC BY-SA 4.0

Coverage: 15 schools and 15 campuses published so far. Research is substantial for this country but not exhaustive.

Terminology: First Year to Sixth Year, with Transition Year in many schools.

This section covers the Republic of Ireland. Schools in Northern Ireland are listed under the United Kingdom.

Country notes reviewed 17 October 2026.

Counties with schools

Schools

15 campuses from 15 schools, listed A to Z by school name. Paid placements are labelled and never change this order.

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Boarding

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Boarding is for

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Maximum annual boarding fee

Original currency only; no conversion. Schools without a calculable annual figure are not shown.

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Accepts international applicantsScholarships or financial assistance publishedDay places also availableReligious affiliation published

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Alexandra College Dublin
Dublin
- Research checked
A girls' school on a Milltown, Dublin campus with junior and senior schools. It offers 5-day and 7-day boarding in a residence called the Hermione Building.
Boarding
Weekly boarding, Full boarding
Boarding entry
Boarding for girls from J5 through 6th Year.
School
Girls, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Ages taught: J5 through 6th Year (boarding)
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
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Bandon Grammar School
Bandon, Cork
- Research checked
A co-educational fee-paying day and boarding secondary school in Bandon, County Cork, founded in 1642. It offers 5-day and 7-day boarding.
Boarding
Weekly boarding, Full boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Ages taught: Form 1 to Form 5
Annual boarding fee
Fees published, but no boarding total can be calculated from them.
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Blackrock College
Blackrock, Dublin
- Research checked
A boys' secondary school in south County Dublin with a boarding Hall of Residence known as the Castle for boys aged 12-19.
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
boys aged 12-19 (ages 12 to 19)
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Cistercian College, Roscrea
Roscrea, Tipperary
- Research checked
An independent day and boarding secondary school on the grounds of Mount St. Joseph Abbey near Roscrea, offering full, weekly and day boarding.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding, Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: First to sixth year
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Clongowes Wood College
Clane, Kildare
- Research checked
A boys' secondary boarding school in Clane, County Kildare, with a seven-day boarding community of Irish and international pupils. Pupils sit the Irish state…
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Boys
Curriculum
Leaving Certificate
Independent · Ages taught: First Year to Sixth Year
Annual boarding fee
€26,550 per year
boarding (pattern not named). 2026-27. Tuition and boarding, published per year.
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Glenstal Abbey School
Murroe, Limerick
- Research checked
A small Benedictine secondary school for boys aged 12 to 18 at Murroe, County Limerick, offering full boarding, 5-day boarding and day boarding.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding, Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Applications for 5-day boarding or full boarding may be made up to two years prior to entry.
School
Boys, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: boys aged 12–18
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Kilkenny College
Kilkenny
- Research checked
A co-educational day and boarding secondary school on the edge of Kilkenny city, with boys' and girls' boarding houses. Boarders go home each Friday evening and may…
Boarding
Weekly boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Form 1 entry; six years in the College
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Midleton College
Midleton, Cork
- Research checked
A secondary school in Midleton, County Cork, with a boarding tradition and 5-day and 7-day boarding options, including for international students.
Boarding
Weekly boarding, Full boarding
Boarding entry
7-day boarding is for students in Transition Year or above.
School
Not confirmed, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Ages taught: Forms; Transition Year and above for 7-day boarding
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Newtown School
Waterford
- Research checked
A multi-denominational co-educational day and boarding secondary school on an 18-acre site in Waterford city, with separate boys' and girls' residences.
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding, Flexible boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Ages taught: 1st Year upward
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Rockwell College
Cashel, Tipperary
- Research checked
A Catholic co-educational secondary school in Cashel, County Tipperary, taking day pupils and 5/7-day boarders. Boarding accommodation is in Shanahan Hall for boys and…
Boarding
Full boarding, Weekly boarding
Boarding entry
Designed to cater to up to 130 boys and girls aged 12 to 19. (ages 12 to 19)
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: First Year to Sixth Year
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
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Sligo Grammar School
Sligo
- Research checked
A secondary school in Sligo town with boys' and girls' boarding houses and day pupils. The school states that it offers seven-day boarding all year round except on…
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Not confirmed
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Independent · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile
St. Columba's College
Dublin
- Research checked
A co-educational secondary school in the Dublin foothills where most pupils board seven days a week, with a smaller number of day pupils and day boarders. Pupils follow…
Boarding
Full boarding
Boarding entry
Entry recommended at Form I (aged 12); some pupils join Forms II, IV (Transition Year) and V.
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate
Independent · Ages taught: Form I to Form VI (Forms IV = Transition Year) (ages 12 to 18)
Annual boarding fee
€26,154 to €31,154 per year
boarding (pattern not named). 2026-27. Range across the year groups the school lists.
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The King’s Hospital School
Dublin
- Research checked
A co-educational Church of Ireland secondary school for boarders and day students on an 80-acre site in Palmerstown, west Dublin. It offers 5-day and 7-day boarding.
Boarding
Weekly boarding, Full boarding
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
The school offers a broad academic curriculum.
Independent · Faith-based · Ages taught: Form 1 to Form 5 (applications)
Annual boarding fee
€21,880 per year
full boarding. Domestic pupils. 2026-27. Tuition and boarding, published per year.
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Villiers School
Limerick
- Research checked
A co-educational day and boarding secondary school in Limerick offering the Irish Leaving Certificate and the IB Diploma, with 5-day, fortnightly and 7-day boarding.
Boarding
Weekly boarding, Full boarding
Boarding entry
The school is home to 165 boarders aged between 12 and 18. (ages 12 to 18)
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Junior Cycle, Leaving Certificate, IB Diploma Programme
Independent · International school · Ages taught: Form I to Form VI (Junior Cycle, Transition Year, Leaving Certificate; IBDP)
Annual boarding fee
€22,000 per year
full boarding. Domestic pupils. 2027-28. Tuition and boarding, published per year.
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Wilson's Hospital School
Multyfarnham, Westmeath
- Research checked
A co-educational Church of Ireland day and boarding secondary school in County Westmeath. It left the fee-paying sector in 2011 and now charges only for boarding and…
Boarding
Offered (type not named)
Boarding entry
Not confirmed
School
Co-educational, day places
Curriculum
Not confirmed
Public / state · Faith-based
Annual boarding fee
Fees not confirmed
View profile

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