Public Holidays in Ireland 2025 – Bank & National 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 enshrined in law.
Overview of Bank Holidays in Ireland
Public holidays in Ireland are established by statute. In 2025, there are ten official public holidays. Some holidays always fall on Mondays (so-called “fixed-Monday” bank holidays), others have fixed dates. Good Friday, while widely observed (banks and many businesses close), is not technically a legal public holiday under Irish law.
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; newly added holiday |
| March 17 | Monday | St Patrick’s Day | National holiday celebrating the patron saint |
| April 21 | Monday | Easter Monday | Observed 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 (formerly Whit Monday) |
| 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 a fixed-date holiday (e.g., Christmas, St Stephen’s, New Year’s Day, St Patrick’s) falls on a weekend, there is no automatic legal entitlement to a Monday off. Employers may offer a substitute day or extra compensation, but it isn’t mandated by statute.
- Good Friday is commonly observed (banks and many businesses close), but it is not a statutory public holiday for all sectors.
- Beyond bank holidays, some local observances or religious days may see closures in certain communities (but are not generally statutory).
- St Brigid’s Day is a relatively new addition (first observed in 2023) to the public holidays list.
- Public holidays in Northern Ireland differ from those in the Republic; this list applies to the Republic of Ireland.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public (bank) holidays are there in Ireland each year?
Ireland has ten statutory public holidays (bank holidays) per year.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Ireland?
No. Although many banks and businesses close on Good Friday, it is not a statutory public holiday under Irish law.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
For fixed-date holidays that fall on weekends (e.g., Christmas, New Year’s Day), there is no automatic legal entitlement to a substitute Monday holiday. Employers may choose to grant a substitute day or extra pay.
Why is St Brigid’s Day included now?
St Brigid’s Day (Imbolc) was added as a public (bank) holiday starting in 2023, honoring St Brigid and Ireland’s cultural tradition.
Conclusion
Public holidays in Ireland structure the rhythm of civic life—from the festive celebrations of Christmas and St Patrick’s Day to regular “bank holidays” spaced across the year. While holidays like Good Friday are widely observed, only the ten statutory days are guaranteed by law. Planning around these days ensures you align with national closures, services, and cultural observances.
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