Bank Holidays in Ireland: What You Need to Know
Bank holidays, known as public holidays in the Republic of Ireland (ROI), are days when most businesses, schools, and government offices close, providing a welcome break for workers and families. In Northern Ireland (NI), part of the UK, they align closely with England and Wales but include unique local observances like St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne.
This guide covers all confirmed dates for 2025 and 2026 in both jurisdictions. Dates are based on official announcements and standard rules for substitutes (e.g., if a holiday falls on a Saturday, the previous Friday is often observed; Sunday, the following Monday). Always check gov.ie for ROI or nidirect.gov.uk for NI closer to the time, as rare adjustments occur.
Whether you’re planning a holiday, event, or business operations, knowing these dates helps avoid surprises like closed shops or traffic chaos. Note: Good Friday isn’t a statutory public holiday in ROI but is widely observed by many.
Republic of Ireland Public Holidays 2025
Here’s the full list for ROI in 2025:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 31 January | Friday | St Brigid’s Day (substitute for Sat 1 Feb) |
| 17 March | Monday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | May Bank Holiday (first Monday in May) |
| 2 June | Monday | June Bank Holiday (first Monday in June) |
| 4 August | Monday | August Bank Holiday (first Monday in August) |
| 27 October | Monday | October Bank Holiday (last Monday in October) |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | St Stephen’s Day |
These 10 holidays provide ample long weekends, especially with St Patrick’s Day and Easter aligning perfectly on Mondays.
Republic of Ireland Public Holidays 2026
For 2026 in ROI:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 February | Monday | St Brigid’s Day (substitute for Sun 1 Feb) |
| 17 March | Tuesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | May Bank Holiday |
| 1 June | Monday | June Bank Holiday |
| 3 August | Monday | August Bank Holiday |
| 26 October | Monday | October Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 28 December | Monday | St Stephen’s Day (substitute for Sat 26 Dec) |
Easter shifts earlier, creating potential four-day weekends around May and June.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2025
NI bank holidays blend UK-wide dates with local traditions. Full list for 2025:
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Wednesday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Monday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 18 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 21 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 5 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 26 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 14 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (substitute for Sat 12 Jul) |
| 25 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Thursday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Friday | Boxing Day |
11 holidays in total, with the July substitute extending celebrations.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Official UK reference dates for NI in 2026 (aligned with gov.uk style):
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 17 March | Tuesday | St Patrick’s Day |
| 3 April | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 April | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 4 May | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 25 May | Monday | Spring Bank Holiday |
| 13 July | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (substitute for Sun 12 Jul) |
| 31 August | Monday | Summer Bank Holiday |
| 25 December | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 26 December | Saturday | Boxing Day (substitute Monday 28 Dec) |
| 28 December | Monday | Christmas/Boxing substitute |
Note Scotland-specific dates like 2 Jan and 3 Aug Summer don’t apply in NI.
Key Differences: ROI vs Northern Ireland
| Aspect | ROI | NI |
|---|---|---|
| Total Holidays | 10 | 11 |
| New Year | 1 Jan only | 1 Jan only |
| February | St Brigid’s | None |
| March | St Patrick’s | St Patrick’s |
| July | None | Battle of the Boyne |
| August | 1st Mon | Last Mon |
| October | Last Mon | None |
| Good Friday | Customary, not statutory | Statutory |
| Christmas period | St Stephen’s | Boxing Day |
ROI emphasises summer bank holidays earlier; NI follows UK late August pattern with July addition.
Planning Around Bank Holidays
Travel and Events
Bank holidays mean crowded roads, trains, and ferries. Book early for St Patrick’s parades in Dublin or Belfast’s festivities. ROI’s June Bank Holiday is ideal for festivals like Galway Arts Festival; NI’s July sees Orange Order marches around Boyne.
Business Impacts
Shops may open limited hours (e.g., ROI convenience stores on Christmas), but banks and post offices close. Plan deliveries outside these dates. Cross-border trade? Note NI follows UK sterling closures.
School Holidays
Align with bank holidays but extend further—check education.ie or education-ni.gov.uk.
Long Weekends
2025 highlights: ROI Easter (four days), NI July (four days). 2026: Multiple three-day weekends in spring.
Comparison with Rest of UK
For context, England/Wales/NI share most dates, but Scotland differs (e.g., 2 Jan 2026 holiday, Summer Bank 3 Aug 2026). Full UK 2026:
- New Year’s Day: 1 Jan
- Good Friday: 3 Apr
- Easter Monday: 6 Apr (not Scotland)
- Early May: 4 May
- Spring: 25 May
- Summer: 31 Aug (Eng/Wales/NI), 3 Aug (Scotland)
- Christmas: 25 Dec, substitute 28 Dec
Travel between ROI and UK? Mind currency (euro vs pound) and border fluidity post-Brexit.
FAQs
Are bank holidays paid in Ireland?
Yes, under ROI’s Organisation of Working Time Act, workers get a paid day off or premium pay. NI follows UK Employment Rights.
Do trains run on bank holidays?
Reduced services; check Irish Rail or Translink NI apps.
Is Good Friday a holiday in ROI?
Not statutory since 1973, but many take it off, especially in certain sectors.
How are substitutes calculated?
ROI: Sun → Mon; Sat → Fri. NI: Similar to UK, next weekday.
This guide (updated April 2026 context) ensures you’re prepared. For latest, visit official sites. Word count: approx 1050.