Public holidays in the Republic of Ireland

These are the public holidays observed in Ireland.[1] Public holidays in Ireland (as in other countries) may commemorate a special day or other event, such as Saint Patrick's Day or Christmas Day. On public holidays (sometimes referred to as bank holidays), most businesses and schools close. Other services, for example, public transport, still operate but often with reduced schedules.

The ten public holidays in Ireland each year are as follows:

Date English name Irish name Notes
1 January New Year's Day Lá Caille or
Lá Bliana Nua 		Added to the public holidays statute in 1974.[1] Most also take time off work for New Year's Eve (Oíche Chinn Bliana).
1 February or
First Monday in February 		Saint Brigid's Day / Imbolc Lá Fhéile Bríde or
Imbolc 		First observed in 2023. First Monday of February, or on 1 February if it is a Friday.[2][3] Co-celebrated with the traditional festival of Imbolc.
17 March Saint Patrick's Day Lá Fhéile Pádraig National day. Became an official public holiday in Ireland in 1903.[4]
Moveable Monday Easter Monday Luan Cásca The day after Easter Sunday (Domhnach Cásca). Also coincides with the commemoration of the Easter Rising. Good Friday (Aoine an Chéasta) is not a public holiday, though all state schools and some businesses close.
First Monday in May May Day[5] Lá Bealtaine First observed in 1994.[1][6] Corresponds with the traditional festival of Bealtaine.
First Monday in June June Holiday Lá Saoire i mí an Mheithimh First observed in 1973.[1] Formerly observed as Whit Monday until 1973.[7]
First Monday in August August Holiday Lá Saoire i mí Lúnasa Corresponds with the traditional festival of Lúnasa.
Last Monday in October October Holiday Lá Saoire i mí Dheireadh Fómhair First observed in 1977.[1][8] Corresponds with Halloween and the traditional festival of Samhain.
25 December Christmas Day Lá Nollag Most start Christmas celebrations on Christmas Eve (Oíche Nollag), including taking time off work.
26 December Saint Stephen's Day Lá Fhéile Stiofáin or
Lá an Dreoilín 		The day after Christmas, celebrating the feast day of Saint Stephen. Lá an Dreoilín means Day of the Wren.

Where a public holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, or possibly coincides with another public holiday, it is generally observed (as a day off work) on the next available weekday, even though the public holiday itself does not move. In such cases, an employee is entitled to at least one of the following (as chosen by the employer): a day off within a month, an additional day's paid annual leave or an additional day's pay. The usual practice is, however, to award a day off on the next available weekday.

  1. ^ a b c d e Ryan-Christensen, Aoife (2 February 2024). "All you need to know about bank holidays in Ireland". RTÉ. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference covcom was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Covid_and_New_Holiday_2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference omara was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ This holiday has no official title in Ireland, it is called the first Monday in May.
  6. ^ Holidays (Employees) Act 1973 (Public Holiday) Regulations 1993 (S.I. No. 91 of 1993). Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 March 2010.
  7. ^ Holidays (Employees) Act, 1973, Schedule (No. 25 of 1973, Schedule). Enacted on 21 November 1973. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book.
  8. ^ Holidays (Employees) Act 1973 (Public Holiday) Regulations 1977 (S.I. No. 193 of 1977). Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 March 2010.