Public Holidays in Ireland 2026 – Bank, National & Christian Days
Ireland recognizes a set of statutory public holidays (commonly called “bank holidays”) each year. These are days when many businesses, public offices, banks, and schools close nationwide. The number of bank holidays is defined by law.
Overview of Bank Holidays in Ireland
Public holidays in Ireland are established by statute. Ireland has ten official public holidays each year. Some holidays always fall on Mondays (“fixed-Monday” bank holidays), while others have fixed calendar dates. Although widely observed, Good Friday is not a statutory public holiday under Irish law.
List of Public Holidays in Ireland (2026)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | Statutory public holiday |
| February 2 | Monday | St Brigid’s Day (Imbolc) | First Monday in February |
| March 17 | Tuesday | St Patrick’s Day | National holiday |
| April 6 | Monday | Easter Monday | Bank holiday following Easter Sunday |
| May 4 | Monday | May Day / May Bank Holiday | First Monday in May |
| June 1 | Monday | June Bank Holiday | First Monday in June |
| August 3 | Monday | August Bank Holiday | First Monday in August |
| October 26 | Monday | October Bank Holiday | Last Monday of October |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas Day | Statutory holiday |
| December 26 | Saturday | St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) | Second Christmas holiday |
List of Public Holidays in Ireland (2025)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Notes / Observance |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Wednesday | New Year’s Day | Statutory public holiday |
| February 3 | Monday | St Brigid’s Day (Imbolc) | First Monday in February |
| March 17 | Monday | St Patrick’s Day | National holiday celebrating the patron saint |
| April 21 | Monday | Easter Monday | Bank holiday after Easter Sunday |
| May 5 | Monday | May Day / May Bank Holiday | First Monday in May |
| June 2 | Monday | June Bank Holiday | First Monday in June |
| August 4 | Monday | August Bank Holiday | First Monday in August |
| October 27 | Monday | October Bank Holiday | Last Monday of October |
| December 25 | Thursday | Christmas Day | Statutory holiday |
| December 26 | Friday | St Stephen’s Day (Boxing Day) | Second Christmas holiday |
Observations & Notes
- When fixed-date holidays (e.g., Christmas, St Stephen’s Day, New Year’s Day, St Patrick’s Day) fall on weekends, there is no automatic legal entitlement to a substitute weekday holiday.
- Employers may offer a substitute day or additional compensation, but this is not required by statute.
- Good Friday is widely observed by banks and businesses but is not a statutory public holiday.
- St Brigid’s Day is a relatively new public holiday, first observed nationwide in 2023.
- This list applies to the Republic of Ireland; public holidays in Northern Ireland differ.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public (bank) holidays are there in Ireland?
Ireland has ten statutory public holidays each year.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Ireland?
No. Although many businesses close, Good Friday is not a statutory public holiday.
Do Irish holidays move if they fall on weekends?
No. There is no automatic right to a substitute weekday holiday when a public holiday falls on a weekend.
Why is St Brigid’s Day now a public holiday?
St Brigid’s Day was introduced as a public holiday in 2023 to recognise St Brigid and Ireland’s cultural heritage.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Ireland combine national celebration, religious tradition, and modern statutory structure. From St Patrick’s Day and Easter to regular Monday bank holidays, these dates define the rhythm of work, travel, and public life across the country.
Also Explore: Public Holidays in Iraq
