Introduction to Bank Holidays in the Republic of Ireland
Planning a trip from the UK to the Republic of Ireland in 2026? Or doing business across the Irish Sea? Understanding bank holidays (officially ‘public holidays’) in the Republic of Ireland is crucial. These are days when most businesses, schools, and government offices close, similar to UK bank holidays but with distinct dates and traditions.
Unlike the UK, where bank holidays vary by nation, Ireland’s 10 public holidays are uniform nationwide. They include fixed dates like St Patrick’s Day and moveable ones tied to Easter. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, it’s observed on the following Monday—no substitute for Saturdays.
This guide lists all 2026 dates, explains rules, and compares to UK bank holidays (including Northern Ireland) for UK travellers. Dates align with official projections; always check citizensinformation.ie or gov.ie closer to time for confirmations.
Full List of Republic of Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
Here’s the complete schedule for 2026:
- New Year’s Day: Thursday, 1 January 2026
- St Brigid’s Day: Monday, 2 February 2026 (1 February is Sunday, so substituted to Monday)
- St Patrick’s Day: Tuesday, 17 March 2026
- Easter Monday: Monday, 6 April 2026
- May Bank Holiday: Monday, 4 May 2026
- June Bank Holiday: Monday, 1 June 2026
- August Bank Holiday: Monday, 3 August 2026
- October Bank Holiday: Monday, 26 October 2026
- Christmas Day: Friday, 25 December 2026
- St Stephen’s Day: Saturday, 26 December 2026
Note: Good Friday (3 April 2026) isn’t a statutory public holiday but is widely observed—banks and many shops close, much like in England and Wales.
These create 10 days off, plus potential long weekends. For example, Easter Monday follows Good Friday, making a four-day weekend if you book Friday off.
Key Rules and Traditions
Public holidays in Ireland are governed by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Employees get paid time off or a substitute day. Shops have relaxed trading laws on these days, but core hours apply.
Substitution Rule: Only Sunday holidays move to Monday. Christmas and St Stephen’s on Friday/Saturday stay as is—no extra Monday off, unlike UK Christmas substitutes.
St Brigid’s Day (new since 2023) honours Ireland’s patron saint alongside St Patrick. Expect pagan fire festivals and modern celebrations.
St Patrick’s Day is Ireland’s biggest party—parades in Dublin, Cork, and Galway draw millions, including UK visitors. Book travel early.
Comparison to UK and Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2026
For UK residents, especially in Northern Ireland, here’s how they stack up. UK dates from gov.uk projections:
| Date | Republic of Ireland | Northern Ireland/England & Wales | Scotland |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year’s Day (Thu) | New Year’s Day (Thu) | +2 Jan (Fri) |
| Feb | St Brigid’s (Mon 2) | - | - |
| 17 Mar | St Patrick’s (Tue) | - | - |
| 3 Apr | Good Friday (observed) | Good Friday (Fri) | Good Friday (Fri) |
| 6 Apr | Easter Monday (Mon) | Easter Monday (Mon) | - |
| 4 May | May Bank Hol (Mon) | Early May (Mon) | Early May (Mon) |
| 25 May | - | Spring Bank (Mon) | Spring Bank (Mon) |
| 1 Jun | June Bank Hol (Mon) | - | - |
| 3 Aug | August Bank Hol (Mon) | - | Summer Bank (Mon) |
| 31 Aug | - | Summer Bank (Mon) | - |
| 26 Oct | October Bank Hol (Mon) | - | - |
| 30 Nov | - | - | St Andrew’s (Mon) |
| 25 Dec | Christmas (Fri) | Christmas (Fri) | Christmas (Fri) |
| 26 Dec | St Stephen’s (Sat) | Boxing Day (Sat) → 28 Dec (Mon sub) | Boxing Day (Sat) → 28 Dec (Mon) |
Key Differences:
- Ireland has St Brigid’s, St Patrick’s, June, August, and October—no UK equivalents.
- No late May or August 31st like England.
- Scotland’s 2 Jan and St Andrew’s are absent.
- Christmas period: UK gets Monday 28 Dec substitute; Ireland doesn’t.
Northern Ireland mirrors England/Wales closely, making cross-border travel tricky—e.g., no St Patrick’s holiday north of the border.
Impacts on Travel from the UK
Flights and Ferries: Expect crowds on St Patrick’s and August Bank Holiday. Ryanair, Aer Lingus, and ferries (Stena, Irish Ferries) ramp up services but book ahead. From April 2026 (current context), monitor for Easter rush.
Road Travel: Dublin Airport to city centre buses run; but M50 tolls and parking scarcer. Eurostar via London doesn’t directly serve, so fly or ferry from Holyhead/Pembroke.
Accommodation: Hotels in Dublin spike 200% for St Patrick’s. Use Booking.com or Airbnb early. Wild Atlantic Way spots like Kerry quieter.
Events: Galway Arts Festival (late July, spills into August Hol), Rose of Tralee (August), Halloween in October.
Business and Trading Implications
Banks (AIB, Bank of Ireland) close fully. Post offices too. Supermarkets open limited hours—e.g., Tesco 12-6pm on most holidays.
For UK firms trading with Ireland: Invoices dated on holidays may delay. VAT returns unaffected as e-filing.
Cross-border: Northern Ireland businesses open on Irish holidays like St Patrick’s, aiding trade.
Planning Tips for 2026 Long Weekends
- Easter (3-6 Apr): Four days—perfect for Wicklow Mountains.
- May (4 May): Three days; visit Cliffs of Moher.
- June (1 Jun): Head to beaches.
- August (3 Aug): Family festivals.
- October (26 Oct): Spooky Samhain prep.
From UK: Use Bank Holiday ferries for savings. Check passport rules (none needed for Irish/UK citizens).
History of Irish Bank Holidays
Roots in 1871 Bank Holidays Act (UK-wide then), but Ireland customised post-independence. 1997 Act added June/August. St Brigid’s reflects gender balance in patron saints.
Easter ties to lunar calendar—2026’s late due to ecclesiastical rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bank holidays paid in Ireland? Yes, for most workers.
Do tourists get days off? No, but attractions may close.
Northern Ireland vs Republic? NI follows UK; no St Patrick’s holiday.
2027 preview? New Year’s Wed 1 Jan; St Brigid’s Mon 1 Feb (not sub).
This guide equips you for 2026. For updates, visit official sites. Safe travels!
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