Irish Public Holidays

Irish Public Holidays

Published on 6 February 2026

Irish Public Holidays

There are 10 public holidays in Ireland, including the new holiday in February for St Brigid’s Day. What dates do we have off, and when’s the next one?

Irish Public Holidays 2025

DateHoliday
Wednesday, January 1New Year’s Day
Monday, February 3St Brigid’s Day
Monday, March 17Saint Patrick’s Day
Monday, April 21Easter Monday
Monday, May 5May Day
Monday, June 2June Bank Holiday
Monday, August 4August Bank Holiday
Monday, October 27October Bank Holiday
Thursday, December 25Christmas Day
Friday, December 26St Stephen’s Day

Irish Public Holidays 2026

DateHoliday
Thursday, January 1New Year’s Day
Monday, February 2St Brigid’s Day
Tuesday, March 17Saint Patrick’s Day
Monday, April 6Easter Monday
Monday, May 4May Day
Monday, June 1June Bank Holiday
Monday, August 3August Bank Holiday
Monday, October 26October Bank Holiday
Friday, December 25Christmas Day
Saturday, December 26St Stephen’s Day

Common Questions

When is the next Bank Holiday in Ireland?

May Day on Monday, May 4 2025 is the next public holiday in Ireland.

What’s the difference between a public holiday and a bank holiday?

Although in Ireland people often use the term “bank holiday” to refer to “public holidays”, they are not the same. A Bank Holiday is a day when banks remain closed. Not all Bank Holidays are Public Holidays. The most famous example of a bank holiday which is not a public holiday is Good Friday (more on that below).

  • A public holiday is a day designated by the government as a day off for all full‑time employees (who’ve worked 40 hours in the previous five weeks).
  • A bank holiday specifically refers to the days when banks are closed and does not necessarily coincide with a public holiday.

You can read more specific information about eligibility for public holidays for both permanent and part‑time employees on citizens information here.

Is Good Friday a public holiday in Ireland?

On Good Friday, banks are closed and public sector employees get the day off. Schools are closed for the Easter break.

Often private sector employees have the day off too, if it’s written into their contracts. Unfortunately in general private sector employees not working in banks are not entitled to the day off.

How many bank holidays are there in Ireland?

There are 10 public holidays in Ireland. As described above, banks are closed on Good Friday but it is not a public holiday.

When is the August Bank Holiday in Ireland?

The August Bank Holiday is the first Monday in August; in 2025 that is Monday 4 August.

What is the new bank holiday in Ireland?

St Brigid’s Day is a new bank holiday in Ireland. It is the first Monday in February.

When was St Brigid’s Day added as a public holiday?

St Brigid’s Day was first added as a public holiday in 2023. The public holiday is held on the first Monday in February.

St Brigid’s Day marks spring’s arrival and winter’s end, bringing renewed optimism as nature awakens. Rooted in the Celtic fertility celebration of Imbolc (meaning “in the belly”), this traditional day heralds the season of agricultural renewal, wildlife births, and lengthening daylight.

How are the dates of holidays set?

In general if a ‘floating holiday’ falls on a weekend, it rolls over to the start of the next week. The 10 holidays are set as:

HolidayDate Decided
New Year’s Day1st January, rolls over to Monday if over weekend.
St Brigid’s DayFirst Monday in February, or 1st February if the date falls on a Friday.
Saint Patrick’s Day17th March, rolls over to Monday if over weekend.
Easter MondayEaster Monday
May Bank HolidayFirst Monday in May
June Bank HolidayFirst Monday in June
August Bank HolidayFirst Monday in August
October Bank HolidayLast Monday in October
Christmas Day25th December, rolls over to Monday/Tuesday if over weekend.
Saint Stephen’s Day26th December, rolls over to Monday/Tuesday if over weekend.