How Many Bank Holidays Are There in Ireland? The Full Breakdown for 2024 and Beyond

Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about the title of how many bank holidays are there in Ireland. Now I will summarize the relevant problems, hoping to help the little friends who want to know.

So, you’re planning a trip to Ireland, or maybe you just moved there for work, and you’re wondering: how many bank holidays do they actually get? It’s a solid question, because nobody wants to show up to an empty office or miss out on a day off. The short answer: Ireland usually has **10 public holidays** per year. But wait—there’s a little twist. Some years, like 2022 when a special holiday was added for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral (though that was a one-off), or 2023 when St. Patrick’s Day fell on a Friday, it can shift. Let me break it down for you so you can plan your days off like a pro.

First off, the standard Irish bank holidays (also called public holidays) are set by law. They include New Year’s Day (January 1), St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Easter Monday, the first Monday in May, the first Monday in June, the first Monday in August, the last Monday in October, Christmas Day (December 25), and St. Stephen’s Day (December 26). That’s nine, right? But hold up—there’s also Good Friday. Good Friday is a bit of a tricky one: it’s not technically a public holiday under the Organisation of Working Time Act, but most businesses and schools close anyway, and many folks treat it like a holiday. Plus, if you’re in Northern Ireland (which is part of the UK), they have a different set of bank holidays—but we’re talking about the Republic of Ireland here.

Now, what about that 10th holiday? Well, the Irish government sometimes throws in an extra day. For example, in 2022 they added a one-off public holiday on March 18 (the day after St. Patrick’s Day) as a pandemic recovery bonus. In 2023, there was no extra, but in 2024 they’re back to the standard 10. Here’s the full list for 2024 in the Republic of Ireland:

– New Year’s Day: Monday, January 1
– St. Patrick’s Day: Sunday, March 17 (observed on Monday, March 18)
– Easter Monday: Monday, April 1
– May Bank Holiday: Monday, May 6
– June Bank Holiday: Monday, June 3
– August Bank Holiday: Monday, August 5
– October Bank Holiday: Monday, October 28
– Christmas Day: Wednesday, December 25
– St. Stephen’s Day: Thursday, December 26

Wait, that’s only nine again. Actually, I forgot to count Good Friday—like I said, it’s not official but widely observed. If you’re an employee, your employer may or may not give you Good Friday off. Legally, you only get nine statutory public holidays. But in practice, most people get Good Friday or an extra day around Christmas. So the real answer is: there are **9 official bank holidays** in Ireland, but you can usually expect at least **10 days off** if you include Good Friday or a replacement.

Also, keep in mind that if a public holiday falls on a weekend (like St. Patrick’s Day in 2024), you usually get the following Monday off. That’s why the March 18 date appears in the list above. And if you work in retail or hospitality, you might get a different day off or extra pay instead. It’s all about your contract.

Questions related to how many bank holidays are there in Ireland

Okay, let’s hit some common follow-up questions. “Do I get paid for bank holidays in Ireland?” Yes, if you’re a full-time employee, you’re entitled to paid leave on public holidays or a substitute day. Part-timers get a proportional amount. “Are banks closed on all these days?” Most banks, post offices, and government offices close, but shops, pubs, and restaurants often stay open—except on Christmas Day and maybe St. Stephen’s Day. “What about Northern Ireland?” That’s a whole different ballgame. Northern Ireland has 10 bank holidays, including things like Boxing Day (which is St. Stephen’s Day down south) and Easter Monday, plus the Queen’s birthday-related ones. But if you’re in the Republic, stick to the list I gave you.

Another hot topic: “Is there a bank holiday in February or September in Ireland?” Nope. Unlike the UK’s late August bank holiday, Ireland takes its summer break in June and August, and nothing in February or September. So don’t plan a long weekend around Presidents’ Day or anything—Ireland doesn’t do that.

One more thing: the term “bank holiday” is used interchangeably with “public holiday” in Ireland, even though technically a bank holiday is when banks close. But everybody knows what you mean.

So, to wrap it all up: the official number of bank holidays in Ireland is 9 per year (10 if you count Good Friday or an occasional extra day). But the Irish are pretty good about giving you a break—St. Patrick’s Day is a huge party, and the Easter and summer holidays are perfect for exploring the countryside. Just double-check your employer’s policy, and you’ll never miss a day off.

On public holiday calendar.COM, thank you for reading! I hope this article can help you fully understand how many bank holidays are there in Ireland. If you have more questions, like “When is the next bank holiday?” or “Can I get time-and-a-half for working on a public holiday?” just drop us a line. I’m your Holiday Little Assistant, and I’ve got you covered.