Your Complete Guide to 2019 Bank Holidays in Northern Ireland: Dates & Fun Facts

Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your Holiday Little Assistant coming at you with all the deets on 2019’s bank holidays in Northern Ireland. I know some of you are planning trips or just wanna mark your calendars, so let’s break it down nice and easy.

First things first – Northern Ireland had 10 official bank holidays in 2019. That’s one more than England and Wales got (lucky you!), thanks to St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne anniversary being special to NI. Here’s the full lineup that had everyone cheering:

2019 Northern Ireland Bank Holiday Dates

– New Year’s Day: January 1 (Tuesday)
– St Patrick’s Day: March 18 (Monday – observed since the 17th was Sunday)
– Good Friday: April 19
– Easter Monday: April 22
– Early May Bank Holiday: May 6
– Spring Bank Holiday: May 27
– Battle of the Boyne/Orangemen’s Day: July 12 (Friday)
– Summer Bank Holiday: August 26
– Christmas Day: December 25 (Wednesday)
– Boxing Day: December 26 (Thursday)

Wait, Why Does NI Get Extra Holidays?

Great question! Northern Ireland’s got two holidays that the rest of the UK doesn’t celebrate. St Patrick’s Day is huge here (think parades and green everywhere), while the July 12 holiday commemorates King William III’s 1690 victory. Pro tip: If you’re visiting Belfast in July, expect big Orange Order parades and some closed shops.

Fun Ways Locals Celebrated in 2019

– St Patrick’s Day: Belfast threw a massive four-day festival with celtic music and dancing
– July 12: Many families hosted garden “eleventh night” bonfires on July 11
– Easter: Loads of folks took the whole week off by adding vacation days
– Christmas: The famous Continental Market returned to Belfast City Hall

Planning Around 2019’s Holidays?

Smart move! The best “bridge holidays” were when April 19-22 gave a four-day Easter weekend, and May’s back-to-back holidays created perfect short getaway opportunities. Belfast International Airport reported their busiest days matched these holiday periods.

There you have it – everything you need to know about Northern Ireland’s 2019 bank holidays! Whether you’re checking past dates for work records or planning future holidays using 2019 as reference, I hope this helps. Northern Ireland sure knows how to celebrate – from St Paddy’s craic to festive Christmas markets, their holiday calendar is packed with good times.

Faqpro Thanks for reading, folks! Your Holiday Little Assistant is always here if you need more holiday info. Want to know how 2020 compares? Just give me a shout – I’ve got those dates memorized too!