Public Holidays in Ireland 2026: Dates and Rules

Ireland has ten public holidays a year, and knowing the dates helps you plan travel, childcare and shifts. It also helps to know what your rights are if you work on a public holiday. This guide explains how the holidays are set and lists where each one should fall in 2026.

Figures change annually — verify before acting.

The dates below follow the standard rules and should be correct, but dates can occasionally be changed by government decision, so confirm on gov.ie or citizensinformation.ie. As of October 2026, the last Monday holiday of the year is close, which is a good reason to check now.

The Nine Public Holidays

The Organisation of Working Time Act sets the list. Most are fixed by rule, such as "the first Monday in May", so the date moves each year. Here is where they should fall in 2026:

• New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January.
• St Brigid's Day: the first Monday in February, which in 2026 should be Monday 2 February.
• St Patrick's Day: 17 March, a Tuesday in 2026.
• Easter Monday: Monday 6 April in 2026, the day after Easter Sunday.
• May holiday: the first Monday in May, which should be Monday 4 May.
• June holiday: the first Monday in June, which should be Monday 1 June.
• August holiday: the first Monday in August, which should be Monday 3 August.
• October holiday: the last Monday in October, which should be Monday 26 October.
• Christmas Day: Friday 25 December.
• St Stephen's Day: 26 December, a Saturday in 2026.

St Brigid's Day is the first Monday in February, except that if 1 February falls on a Friday, that Friday is the holiday. Always check the official calendar.

What About Good Friday?

Good Friday is not a public holiday in Ireland, although many businesses and schools close and some shops open on reduced hours. Banks are typically open. Do not assume that offices will be closed, and check your contract.

Your Rights at Work

Under Irish law, an employee who has worked 40 hours in the five weeks before the holiday is entitled to one of the following for each public holiday, chosen by the employer:

1. A paid day off on the holiday.
2. A paid day off within a month of the holiday.
3. An additional day of annual leave.
4. An additional day's pay.

If you work on the holiday, your employer must still provide one of these. Part-time workers also have entitlements, depending on hours worked, and the rules differ slightly if your employment ended or you were on leave. If you are unsure, ask your employer to explain in writing, or consult the Workplace Relations Commission.

When a Holiday Falls on a Weekend

Because St Stephen's Day falls on a Saturday in 2026, there is no automatic substitute weekday in the law. Some employers choose to give a day in lieu, and this is a matter for your contract or company policy. The same applies to any other holiday that lands on a day you do not normally work. Check your handbook or ask HR.

Planning Around Public Holidays

• Book travel early for long weekends, because trains, buses and flights fill up.
• Check opening hours for shops, pharmacies, GP clinics and public services, which vary.
• Remember that public transport often runs on a Sunday timetable.
• Check school holidays separately, as they do not match public holidays. See our guide to the school year and term calendar.
• If you are paid hourly, use our salary calculator to understand how holiday pay interacts with your gross pay.

Newcomers' Notes

If you are new, you may find that annual leave and public holiday entitlements differ from those in your home country. Make sure you have a signed contract, a PPS number and a payslip system that shows leave accrual. When planning a trip home, remember that you may need documents to re-enter the State, so confirm your permit and residence permit validity.

Public Holidays and Pay Types

How a public holiday affects your pay depends on how you are employed. Salaried staff who normally work the day typically receive their usual pay for the holiday. Hourly workers may see a premium rate, a paid day in lieu or an extra day's pay depending on the contract and the employer's choice among the legal options. Shift workers in healthcare, hospitality and retail often work on public holidays and may be covered by agreements that give a better entitlement than the legal minimum. Read your contract and any employee handbook to see exactly what applies.

If you started a new job recently, ask about the hours conditions that apply for your first holiday. Employers sometimes interpret them differently, and clarity in writing helps avoid arguments later.

Frequently Asked Questions