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Who lives in Foxrock
Foxrock is a long established suburb in the south of Dublin, in the Dublin 18 area, known for its mature tree lined roads, detached period and modern houses on generous plots and a small village centre. It has been one of the city's most sought after addresses for decades and is a natural choice for expat families on corporate and diplomatic postings who want space, greenery and access to a strong cluster of schools. To see how the suburb fits the wider city, start with our international schools in Dublin directory.
The area attracts professional and international households drawn to its quiet residential feel, its proximity to the south Dublin business parks and its reputation for schooling. It is suburban and family oriented, with houses rather than apartments dominating, and it suits parents who want a settled base with quality education and the coast, mountains and city all within reach.
Schools in and near Foxrock
Foxrock's direct draw for international families is the primary school of the Lycee Francais International de Dublin, which follows the French national curriculum and serves Francophone and Francophile families. Close by in the Leopardstown direction is Nord Anglia International School Dublin, an English medium international school, while in nearby Booterstown St Andrew's College is a leading independent school with a strongly international intake that follows the Irish curriculum to Junior and Leaving Certificate. Together they give families in Foxrock an unusually wide schooling choice within a small radius.
Treat any single named school as illustrative of the area rather than a recommendation, and confirm curricula, stages and admissions directly, as the most popular schools fill early and operate set application windows. For the full list use the Dublin schools directory and shortlist with the school finder quiz.
Commute and catchment
Ireland's international and independent schools admit by application rather than by strict residential catchment, so living in Foxrock does not tie you to a particular school. Foxrock's advantage is its position on the south Dublin school belt, close to the M50 motorway, the Luas Green Line tram and the wider bus network, with several schools reachable within a short drive.
For families attending the schools clustered around Foxrock, Leopardstown and Booterstown the journey can be short, while the Luas and M50 open up options further across south Dublin and into the city. It is worth coordinating the home and school choice carefully, as the school run on the main south Dublin routes can be slow at peak times, a point our wider guide to the best areas to live in Dublin for expat families returns to.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Foxrock is dominated by detached and substantial semi detached family houses, from period homes on large gardens to modern builds, with a smaller number of apartments near the village and transport links. As one of Dublin's most prestigious suburbs, Foxrock sits firmly in the upper band for the city's house prices and rents, and the best addresses are competitive when they come to market.
Before committing, model the full cost of rent or purchase, schooling and transport with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider relocation guide for the visa, healthcare and setting up steps. Treat any specific price as indicative and verify current asking rents before you budget, as family houses in the prime south Dublin suburbs can let and sell quickly.
Budget your move to Foxrock
Model house rent or purchase, school fees and transport together before you commit to the area.
Open the relocation cost calculatorFamily life
Family life in Foxrock is suburban and comfortable. The suburb has a village centre with shops and cafes, parks and golf clubs, and easy access to the Dublin mountains for walking and to the coast at Killiney, Dalkey and Dun Laoghaire for beaches and sea air. Everyday services are good, the community is settled, and the spread of schooling nearby makes the daily routine manageable for families with children of different ages.
The trade-offs are cost and traffic: this is one of the more expensive parts of Dublin, and the main routes can be busy at school times. For households who want space, greenery and a strong choice of international and independent schools while keeping the city, coast and mountains within reach, Foxrock is one of the most sought after places to settle in south Dublin.
Living in Foxrock: FAQ
Foxrock is home to the primary school of the Lycee Francais International de Dublin, which follows the French national curriculum, and it sits close to Nord Anglia International School Dublin in the Leopardstown area and to St Andrew's College in nearby Booterstown, a leading independent school with a strongly international intake following the Irish curriculum. Use the Dublin directory to compare the options and their stages.
Foxrock is one of south Dublin's most established affluent suburbs and a popular choice for expat families. It offers leafy residential streets, period and detached houses, a village core and quick access to international and independent schools, the M50 and the Luas tram. The trade-off is cost, as it sits among the most expensive parts of Dublin, and school run traffic can be heavy at peak times.
Ireland's international and independent schools admit by application rather than strict residential catchment, so living in Foxrock does not tie you to one school. Foxrock is well placed for the south Dublin school belt, close to the M50, the Luas Green Line and the wider bus network, with several schools within a short drive. Coordinate the home and school choice, as peak time traffic on the school run can be slow.
Foxrock sits firmly in the upper band for Dublin housing as one of the city's most prestigious suburbs, with detached period and modern family houses commanding a premium and a competitive market for the best addresses. Model rent or purchase, school fees and transport together with the relocation cost calculator before you commit, and treat any specific figure as indicative.
Family life in Foxrock is suburban and comfortable, with a village centre, parks and golf clubs, the Dublin mountains and the coast at Killiney and Dun Laoghaire within easy reach, good local services and a strong school choice nearby. It suits families who want space, greenery and quality schooling while keeping the city and the M50 accessible.