Loreto on the Green: Fee , Hi tory, Admi ion Guide

There’s a school on St Stephen’s Green that has been shaping Dublin’s education scene since 1839 – Loreto on the Green. This fee-paying Catholic all-girls school sits in a historic building that played a role in the 1916 Easter Rising, and today it remains one of Ireland’s most respected private institutions.

Founded: 1839 ·
Type: Catholic all-girls private school ·
Location: St Stephen’s Green, Dublin

Seven key facts about Loreto on the Green:

How much are fees for Loreto on the Green?

Loreto College does not publish a fixed fee schedule on its public website. According to the school’s official fee policy (Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green), fees are reviewed annually by the Finance Committee and the Board of Management. The Board decides the amount and any changes.

Fee structure for day students

• The policy states that parents accept joint and several liability for fees when enrolling their daughters.
• As a fee-paying day school, no boarding fees apply.
• Exact current tuition is not listed online; prospective families must contact the school directly.

Additional costs

• Uniforms, books, and extracurricular activities are not included in the core fee.
• The school does not provide a detailed breakdown of mandatory vs optional extras on its website.

Comparison with other elite Dublin schools

One pattern across Dublin private schools: fees vary widely and are often guarded. Loreto Foxrock sets a benchmark at €5,700 for 2025/26, while many other elite schools charge between €6,000 and €8,000. Without published numbers, Loreto on the Green likely falls in a similar range, though the school itself does not confirm this.

The implication: families need to request fee details directly, making budgeting less transparent than for schools with published schedules.

Is Loreto on the Green private?

Yes – it is a fee-charging secondary school for girls, described as part of a worldwide network of Loreto schools run by the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto College official site).

Admission policy and selectivity

• The school is selective, with academic record as a key criterion.
• Preferences may be given to Catholic students, though the school’s ethos is inclusive.
• Demand outpaces available places, but no acceptance rate is published.

Religious affiliation and ethos

• Catholic ethos underpins daily life, but the school welcomes students of all faiths.
• The Junior School on St Stephen’s Green is also fee-charging and all-girls (Loreto College Junior School official site).

Comparison to other Irish schools

Loreto on the Green is one of many private schools in Dublin, but its location and history give it a distinct cachet. Unlike public schools, it charges fees and controls admissions.

What this means: being private allows the school to maintain selective standards and a strong academic reputation, but it also places it in a competitive market where families weigh value against cost.

What is the history of Loreto on the Green?

The school’s story begins in the early 19th century and intertwines with Ireland’s national history.

Foundation in 1839 and early years

• Loreto College was founded in 1839 by Mother Teresa Ball at 58 Harcourt Street as a convent and school (Wikipedia).
• It moved to 53 St Stephen’s Green in 1841, where it remains today.
• University classes were established in 1893 to support students’ higher education (archive PDF from Rackcdn).

Role in the 1916 Easter Rising

While the school’s building was reportedly used during the 1916 Rising, specific details are not widely documented in public sources. The school’s location on St Stephen’s Green placed it at the heart of the conflict.

Modern developments

• The school continues to operate as a leading fee-paying day school, with updated facilities while preserving its historic Georgian architecture.
• A separate junior school on the same green serves younger students (Loreto Junior School).

The pattern: heritage and location work together to sustain Loreto on the Green’s status as a destination school for families who value tradition alongside academics.

How hard is it to get into Loreto?

Admission is competitive, though the school does not publish exact statistics.

Admission requirements and criteria

• Applications are processed through the school office; no online portal is publicly available.
• Academic record from primary school is a primary factor.
• An entrance exam or interview may be required, though details are not specified.

Competition and waiting list

• As one of Dublin’s most prestigious private schools, demand is high.
• Waiting lists are common, but no official numbers are available.

Comparison with other selective schools

Like Blackrock College and Gonzaga, Loreto on the Green selects students based on merit and ethos. The lack of published acceptance rates makes it difficult to quantify selectivity, but anecdotal evidence suggests it is highly sought after.

The pattern: the most prestigious schools in Dublin – including Loreto – maintain their reputation partly through careful admissions, which in turn drives demand.

What is the most prestigious private school in Ireland?

Prestige is subjective, but several names consistently appear: Blackrock College, Gonzaga College, Loreto on the Green, and St Michael’s College. Factors include academic results, history, and alumni networks.

Contenders

• Blackrock College – boys’ school, strong rugby tradition, notable alumni.
• Gonzaga College – Jesuit, high academic standards, located in Dublin.
• Loreto on the Green – girls’ school, historic ties to 1916, central location.
• St Michael’s College Dublin – boys’ school, strong academic reputation (St Michael’s College Dublin article).

Where Loreto on the Green ranks

• It is widely considered among the top private schools for girls in Ireland.
• Its fees are comparable to other elite schools, though exact figures are not public.
• Academic outcomes are strong, supported by the school’s heritage and resources.

One pattern: no single school dominates all metrics – reputation is built on a mix of exam results, alumni success, and brand history. Loreto on the Green excels in the last two.

Comparison table: Elite Dublin private schools

This table positions Loreto on the Green against its main competitors across key dimensions.

The implication: families aiming for Loreto on the Green should prepare for both financial and academic competition.

Timeline of key events

• 1839 – Loreto College founded at 58 Harcourt Street (Wikipedia)
• 1841 – School moves to 53 St Stephen’s Green
• 1916 – Building reported used during Easter Rising (historical accounts)
• Present – Continues as a leading fee-paying day school

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green is a private Catholic all-girls school (official site)
• Founded in 1839
• Located on St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
• Fee-paying day school with no boarding

What remains unclear

• Exact annual tuition fees
• Admission acceptance rate
• Official academic ranking among Irish private schools

“School fees are reviewed before the forthcoming academic year by the Finance Committee and the Board of Management.”

Loreto College, St Stephen’s Green – Fee Policy (official school website)

“Tuition fee of €5,700 and an international tuition fee of €6,200 for Year 1 only.”

Loreto College Foxrock – School Fees Information 2025/26 (sister school)

For parents weighing private education in Dublin, the choice involves balancing heritage, academic reputation, and cost. Loreto on the Green offers a unique combination of historic prestige and central location, but its opaque fee structure and competitive admissions mean families must invest time in direct engagement. Families who value cachet and community over transparency should apply early, ask for costs upfront, and be prepared to compete.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• St Michael’s College Dublin – another top private school
• Holy Family National School locations in Ireland