Also on Bank Holidays UK: St Patrick’s Day — Northern Ireland Bank Holiday · Easter Bank Holiday 2026 — Long Weekend Dates · Spring Bank Holiday 2026 Date — When Is It?
Ireland is one of the most popular short-haul destinations for British travellers, and its public holidays — known locally as bank holidays — shape everything from pub opening hours in Dublin to ferry crowds on the Cork road. If you are planning a trip across the Irish Sea in 2026, knowing when the Republic shuts down for a long weekend will help you dodge the crowds, avoid closed attractions and make the most of the famously lively atmosphere on a bank holiday Monday. This guide lists every public holiday in Ireland for 2026, explains what stays open, and shows how the Irish calendar compares with UK bank holidays.
Public Holidays in Ireland 2026 — Full List
The Republic of Ireland observes 10 official public holidays in 2026. Most of them fall on a Monday, which means a steady run of three-day weekends throughout the year. Note that Good Friday (3 April 2026) is widely treated as a day off and many businesses close, but it is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland — a subtle but important distinction for travellers.
| Date | Name (Irish) | Name (English) | Type | Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | Lá Caille | New Year’s Day | Public holiday | Thursday |
| 2 February | Lá Fhéile Bríde | St Brigid’s Day | Public holiday | Monday |
| 17 March | Lá Fhéile Pádraig | St Patrick’s Day | Public holiday | Tuesday |
| 6 April | Luan Cásca | Easter Monday | Public holiday | Monday |
| 4 May | Lá Bealtaine | May Day (May Bank Holiday) | Public holiday | Monday |
| 1 June | Lá Saoire i mí an Mheithimh | June Bank Holiday | Public holiday | Monday |
| 3 August | Lá Saoire i mí Lúnasa | August Bank Holiday | Public holiday | Monday |
| 26 October | Lá Saoire i mí Dheireadh Fómhair | October Bank Holiday | Public holiday | Monday |
| 25 December | Lá Nollag | Christmas Day | Public holiday | Friday |
| 26 December | Lá Fhéile Stiofáin | St Stephen’s Day | Public holiday | Saturday |
Long Weekends in Ireland 2026
Because so many Irish public holidays land on a Monday, 2026 delivers a generous run of long weekends — even more than UK travellers are used to. Pencil in: St Brigid’s Day (31 Jan–2 Feb), Easter (4–6 Apr), the May Bank Holiday (2–4 May), the June Bank Holiday (30 May–1 Jun), the August Bank Holiday (1–3 Aug) and the October Bank Holiday (24–26 Oct). St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday 17 March also pairs neatly with a Monday off for a four-day break. That is one more annual long weekend than England and Wales typically enjoy.
What’s Open and Closed on Public Holidays
On a typical Irish bank holiday, expect a relaxed, weekend-style rhythm rather than a full shutdown. Banks and most offices close, and post offices follow suit. Larger supermarkets and shopping centres generally open with reduced hours, while smaller convenience shops often trade as normal. Pubs, cafés and restaurants are usually busy and open — bank holiday Mondays are among the liveliest social days of the year, particularly in Dublin, Galway and Cork.
Public transport (Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Irish Rail) runs to a Sunday or special timetable, so always check before you travel. Major tourist attractions, museums and heritage sites mostly stay open, though some smaller or rural sites reduce hours. The two days to watch are Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, when nearly everything closes, public transport is heavily reduced or suspended, and Good Friday, when pubs may keep restricted hours.
If your visit falls on a bank holiday Monday, book restaurant tables and popular tours in advance — locals are off work and demand spikes. For Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day, plan meals ahead, as even city-centre options can be scarce.
How Ireland’s Public Holidays Compare with UK Bank Holidays
The UK has 8 bank holidays in England and Wales, while the Republic of Ireland observes 10 public holidays — giving Irish workers a slightly more generous calendar. The biggest cultural difference is St Patrick’s Day on 17 March, a national day with no UK equivalent, and St Brigid’s Day in early February, introduced in 2023 and unique to Ireland.
| Feature | United Kingdom | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Number per year | 8 (England & Wales) | 10 |
| National saint’s day | Not a holiday | St Patrick’s Day (17 Mar) |
| Early-year holiday | None until May | St Brigid’s Day (Feb) |
| Boxing Day / 26 Dec | Boxing Day | St Stephen’s Day |
| Good Friday | Bank holiday | Not a public holiday |
For the full British calendar, see our complete list of UK bank holidays and our guide to the best long weekends in 2026.
Key Cultural Holidays Explained
St Patrick’s Day (17 March) is Ireland’s national day and its biggest celebration, marked by parades, music and green-clad crowds in every town. Dublin’s multi-day festival draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, so book accommodation months ahead if you want to be in the capital.
St Brigid’s Day (2 February) is Ireland’s newest public holiday, introduced in 2023 to honour the patron saint and the Celtic festival of Imbolc, which marks the start of spring. It is also notable as the first Irish national holiday named after a woman. The holiday falls on the first Monday in February unless 1 February is itself a Friday.
St Stephen’s Day (26 December), the Irish equivalent of Boxing Day, has its own traditions — most famously the “Wren Boys”, who once went door to door in costume. Today it is a relaxed family day of football, racing and visiting.
Irish public holidays carry an entitlement quirk that surprises UK visitors: if a holiday falls on a weekend, Irish workers do not automatically get the following Monday off. Instead, employers must offer an alternative day, an extra day’s pay or an additional annual leave day — so the calendar date is fixed, but the day off may move.
Planning Your Trip Around Public Holidays
Bank holidays are the best and worst time to visit Ireland, depending on what you want. Target them if you are after atmosphere: St Patrick’s Day, the summer bank holidays and festival weekends show the country at its most spirited. Avoid them if you want quiet sightseeing and lower prices — accommodation rates in Dublin and Galway spike around long weekends, and popular attractions get busy.
If you are crossing for a long weekend, book your ferry or flights and your first night’s stay early, then keep daytime plans flexible around reduced transport timetables. Comparing rates ahead of a bank holiday weekend can save a meaningful amount on both rooms and rail travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many public holidays does Ireland have in 2026?
Ireland observes 10 official public holidays in 2026, most of which fall on a Monday.
Is Good Friday a public holiday in Ireland?
No. Good Friday (3 April 2026) is widely observed and many businesses close, but it is not a statutory public holiday, so employees have no automatic entitlement to the day off.
When is St Patrick’s Day in 2026?
St Patrick’s Day falls on Tuesday 17 March 2026.
Does Ireland have more public holidays than the UK?
Yes. Ireland has 10 public holidays compared with 8 bank holidays in England and Wales.
What happens if an Irish public holiday falls on a weekend?
Workers do not automatically get the next weekday off. Instead, employers must provide an alternative day off, an extra day’s pay or an additional annual leave day.
Are shops open on Irish bank holidays?
Most larger shops and supermarkets open with reduced hours, while pubs and restaurants are typically busy and open. Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day are the main exceptions, when nearly everything closes.
What is St Brigid’s Day?
St Brigid’s Day, on 2 February 2026, is Ireland’s newest public holiday, introduced in 2023 to mark the start of spring and honour the patron saint Brigid.
Is public transport running on Irish bank holidays?
Yes, but to a reduced Sunday or special timetable. Always check Dublin Bus, Luas, DART and Irish Rail schedules before travelling.
Sources & Last Verified
Data triangulated from multiple sources:
• Nager.Date public holiday API (Ireland 2026)
• Citizens Information (official Irish public service portal)
• Cross-checked against UK SERP results for “public holidays in Ireland 2026”
Last verified: 5 June 2026
Author: Bank Holidays UK Editorial Team