How Many Holidays in Ireland? A Complete Guide to Public Holidays, Bank Holidays, and Days Off

Hey everyone, it’s your Holiday Little Assistant here! So I had a friend hit me up recently asking about that whole thing – “how many holidays in Ireland?” – and honestly, it’s a question that comes up a lot. Maybe you’re planning a trip, moving there, or just curious about how the Irish get their time off. Anyway, I’ve done the digging, and now I’m gonna break it all down for you in plain, easy-to-read talk. No jargon, no fluff – just the real deal.

Alright, so first thing’s first: Ireland has a total of ten public holidays each year. Sounds simple, right? But hold up – not all of them are always the same date. Some move around, and a couple are unique to Ireland (like St. Patrick’s Day, duh). And here’s a kicker: there’s a difference between “public holidays” and “bank holidays” in Ireland, though most people just treat them the same. Let’s walk through the complete list so you know exactly what you’re lookin’ at.

1. New Year’s Day (January 1) – yeah, pretty universal. Always a public holiday.

2. St. Patrick’s Day (March 17) – the big one. Huge parades, green beer, the whole shebang. If it falls on a weekend, sometimes they give you the Monday off – but not always. Keep an eye on the official calendar.

3. Easter Monday – moves every year depending on Easter. This one’s a public holiday too.

4. First Monday in May – this is the May public holiday. Used to be the first Monday, but check the exact date.

5. First Monday in June – June public holiday. Sometimes called “June Bank Holiday.”

6. First Monday in August – August public holiday. It’s a classic summer day off.

7. Last Monday in October – October public holiday. Also known as Halloween bank holiday but officially just the last Monday.

8. Christmas Day (December 25) – no explanation needed.

9. St. Stephen’s Day (December 26) – the day after Christmas. That’s a big deal in Ireland – it’s basically a second Christmas.

10. Christmas Eve? No – wait, actually there’s no official holiday on Christmas Eve. But some people get a half day? Not a national holiday.

So that’s ten. But here’s the important thing: some years they add an extra one if a holiday lands on a weekend. For example, if St. Patrick’s Day is on a Saturday, they might move the public holiday to the following Monday. So technically, you could get 10, 11, or even 12 days off depending on the year. But the official count is always 10 public holidays. The government publishes a calendar each year – always good to double-check.

Now, one thing people confuse – is the “bank holiday” thing. In Ireland, bank holidays are literally the days the banks close, but they match up with most public holidays. There are also some regional variations? Actually no, the whole country observes the same ten. That makes it easy for planning.

If you’re an employee, you’re legally entitled to those ten days off (or pay in lieu if you have to work). Some employers give Good Friday as an extra day off, but Good Friday is not a public holiday in Ireland – it’s a weird exception. So don’t count on it unless your company specifically gives it.

Questions related to how many holidays in Ireland

Q: Does Ireland have more holidays than the UK? Short answer: about the same. The UK has 8 public holidays in England and Wales, 9 in Scotland, 10 in Northern Ireland. Republic of Ireland has 10. So a little more than England but same as Northern Ireland.

Q: Are all holidays paid? Yes, if you’re a full-time employee. Part-time workers get pro-rata. The law covers it.

Q: What about holidays in Northern Ireland? That’s a different set – Northern Ireland has 10 as well but different ones – they have Boxing Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and also the Twelfth of July (a big unionist holiday). So if you’re asking about the whole island, you need to specify.

Q: Do schools and government offices all close on these days? Yep. Most businesses too, except hospitality and retail. You’ll find supermarkets open reduced hours on Christmas and St. Stephen’s.

Q: How do I know if a holiday has been moved? Usually the government announces it a year in advance. For example, if Christmas falls on a weekend, they confirm the alternative day. You can check – wait for it – on our website public holiday calendar dot com! We keep a current calendar.

Alright, so to sum it all up: Ireland has ten public holidays every year – a mix of fixed dates and moving Mondays. Plus you sometimes get an extra if a holiday falls on a weekend. The key ones to remember: St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Easter Monday, the first Mondays in May, June, August, and October, and of course the Christmas double – Dec 25 and 26. That’s your full list, folks.

Thanks for hanging out with me here at public holiday calendar DOT COM. I hope this article gave you a clear picture of how many holidays Ireland has, and don’t forget – if you’ve got more questions about public holidays anywhere in the world, just hit me up. I’m your Holiday Little Assistant – always here to help you plan your time off. 💚