aged 65 years and over. The number of persons aged 18 years or over was 5,677. Non-Irish nationals accounted for 9.7 per cent of the population of Ratoath in 2011 compared with a national average figure of 12.0 per cent. UK nationals (168 persons) were the largest group, followed by Lithuanians (120 persons). 3,676 persons could speak the Irish language and of these 1,702 spoke the language daily. 1,025 persons spoke a language other than Irish or English at home and of these 137 could not speak English well or at all. French was the most common foreign language spoken at home with 131 speakers. There were 7,843 Roman Catholics in the area at census time. A further 649 were adherents of other stated religions, while 420 persons indicated that they had no religion. Education Ratoath is the home of two primary schools; Ratoath National School and St. Paul's National School. It also has its own secondary school called Ratoath College which was founded in 2005. Originally located on a temporary basis on the Fairyhouse Racecourse, the school eventually moved to its permanent location in Jamestown in 2007. The building received an extension in 2021. In 2010, a gaelscoil was opened in Ratoath despite not receiving official recognition by the Department of Education. The following year, it was announced that Gaelscoil Ráth Tó would close, and would merge with a newly established gaelscoil in the neighbouring town of Ashbourne. This new school would be named Gaelscoil na Mí. As of 2022, the site of the former gaelscoil is now a physiotherapy clinic. Amenities While Ratoath has several shops on its main street, including a supermarket, two pubs and several restaurants, the growth in population of Ratoath as a commuter town has not been matched by the development of amenities. As of 2022, Ratoath is the largest town in the Republic of Ireland without a Garda station. Sport Just outside the town is the horse racing track Fairyhouse Racecourse, where the Irish Grand National is held. Ratoath has a long history of horse racing, with many jockeys coming from the area. In 2016, for the first time in their history, Ratoath GAA hurlers got into a Leinster final after they defeated Rosenallis. The club comprises approximately 50 teams across all codes/age groups, which play in the Meath/Leinster Senior Men's Football & Hurling and Ladies' Senior Camogie and Intermediate Football championships. Ratoath