Ireland Public Holidays
Ireland Public Holidays
Searching for the national holidays in Ireland? All public holidays in Ireland are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Ireland employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Ireland and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.
Ireland celebrates a wide range of public holidays, reflecting its deep cultural, religious, and historical traditions. These holidays mark significant events in the country’s history, honor religious observances, and celebrate national pride. The following is an overview of the major public holidays in Ireland, including their significance, observances, and the impact they have on Irish life.
1. New Year’s Day (Lá Caille) – January 1
Description
New Year’s Day marks the first day of the year in Ireland. It is a time for celebration, reflection, and renewal, with families and communities welcoming the new year. The day is observed with fireworks, family gatherings, and many people making New Year’s resolutions. It is a quiet day in Ireland, as businesses and government offices remain closed, with most celebrations taking place the night before, on New Year’s Eve.
Observance
New Year’s Day is a public holiday, and it is observed across the country. Most businesses and government offices are closed, and schools are on vacation. Public transportation operates on a reduced schedule, and many people enjoy outdoor activities or attend church services. The day is largely focused on relaxation and family time.
2. St. Patrick’s Day (Lá Fhéile Pádraig) – March 17
Description
St. Patrick’s Day is the national holiday of Ireland and is celebrated to honor St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. St. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century, and the day is marked by parades, festivals, and various cultural events. The day is widely associated with Irish pride, with people of Irish descent around the world joining in the celebrations. Parades, wearing green, and enjoying Irish food and drink are common traditions.
Observance
St. Patrick’s Day is a major public holiday in Ireland, and it is celebrated with nationwide parades, festivals, and religious services. In Dublin, the capital, the celebrations include large parades, concerts, and events. Schools and most businesses are closed for the day, and public transport is often limited due to the festivities. It is a day of national pride, with many people wearing green and celebrating Irish culture.
3. Easter Monday (Luan Cásca) – Date Varies
Description
Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Ireland, Easter Monday is part of the broader Easter celebration, which includes Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The day is a time for family gatherings, outdoor activities, and reflection. It is also a day of national remembrance, as Easter Monday has historical significance in Ireland due to the 1916 Easter Rising, a key event in the country’s struggle for independence from British rule.
Observance
Easter Monday is a public holiday in Ireland, and many people spend the day with their families or attend outdoor events, such as picnics and egg hunts. While it is not as widely celebrated as St. Patrick’s Day, it has a significant cultural and historical role. Government offices, schools, and many businesses are closed, and there are parades and ceremonies remembering the 1916 Easter Rising. The holiday also marks the start of the spring season, with many outdoor activities taking place.
4. May Day (Lá Bealtaine) – May 1
Description
May Day, or “Lá Bealtaine,” has its origins in ancient Celtic traditions, celebrating the arrival of summer. It was traditionally a time for lighting bonfires and celebrating the fertility of the land. In modern Ireland, May Day has evolved into a day honoring workers and the labor movement. It is associated with solidarity and the achievements of the working class, as well as the celebration of the beginning of the agricultural season.
Observance
May Day is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland, but it is widely observed by trade unions and workers’ organizations. Many people attend marches and protests advocating for workers’ rights and social justice. While businesses and schools generally remain open, some regions and sectors hold events to celebrate the holiday and its connections to the labor movement.
5. June Bank Holiday (Lá Saoire i mí Meitheamh) – First Monday in June
Description
The June Bank Holiday is observed on the first Monday of June and marks the beginning of the summer season in Ireland. It is a public holiday for the working population, providing a long weekend for people to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Many people in Ireland take advantage of the extended weekend to travel, visit family, or participate in outdoor activities like barbecues and festivals.
Observance
The June Bank Holiday is a nationwide public holiday, with most businesses, government offices, and schools closed for the day. Many people spend the holiday weekend in the countryside or at the beach. It is also a popular time for sporting events, such as the start of the GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) summer championships. The holiday is one of the key summer breaks in the Irish calendar.
6. August Bank Holiday (Lá Saoire i mí Lúnasa) – First Monday in August
Description
The August Bank Holiday is another public holiday that marks the height of summer in Ireland. Like the June Bank Holiday, it provides a long weekend for the people of Ireland to enjoy outdoor activities and relax. The holiday also holds cultural significance in some rural areas, where people celebrate traditional festivals and gatherings.
Observance
The August Bank Holiday is observed nationwide, and most businesses and government offices are closed. People spend the long weekend relaxing with family and friends, enjoying the summer weather. It is also a popular time for attending outdoor music festivals, barbecues, and sporting events, including Gaelic football and hurling matches. Schools are closed, and public transport operates on a limited schedule.
7. National Day (Lá na Poblachta) – October 28
Description
National Day, or “Lá na Poblachta,” commemorates the foundation of the Irish Republic. It is a day to reflect on Ireland’s independence and its historical struggles for sovereignty, particularly in relation to its separation from the United Kingdom. The day marks the enactment of the Irish Constitution in 1937, which formally established Ireland as a republic.
Observance
National Day is a relatively recent addition to the Irish holiday calendar. It is marked with events celebrating Ireland’s political independence, including public lectures, speeches, and exhibitions. It is not a public holiday in the strictest sense, and businesses and schools typically remain open. However, it is an important day for Irish history and is observed through cultural events and gatherings.
8. Halloween (Oíche Shamhna) – October 31
Description
Halloween, or “Oíche Shamhna” in Irish, has its roots in ancient Celtic traditions, particularly the festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The holiday is associated with costumes, trick-or-treating, bonfires, and other spooky festivities. Halloween is widely celebrated in Ireland, where the modern celebration of the holiday is believed to have originated.
Observance
Halloween is not a public holiday in Ireland, but it is widely celebrated, particularly by children. Many people decorate their homes with pumpkins and cobwebs, while children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Communities hold bonfires and other events, and Irish towns host Halloween parades. Many businesses, particularly those in the retail sector, cater to the holiday by selling costumes and decorations. Schools are open, but there is often a focus on Halloween-related activities for students.
9. Christmas Day (Lá Nollaig) – December 25
Description
Christmas Day is one of the most important holidays in Ireland, celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. The holiday marks the birth of Jesus Christ and is a time for family gatherings, religious observances, and festive meals. The Irish celebrate Christmas with a combination of religious services and secular traditions, including decorating homes, singing carols, and exchanging gifts.
Observance
Christmas Day is a public holiday in Ireland, and most businesses, schools, and government offices are closed. People spend the day with family, attending church services, and enjoying traditional meals like roast turkey and ham. Public transport operates on a limited schedule, and many Irish people travel home to be with their families during the holiday season. The day ends with a focus on relaxation and family bonding.
10. St. Stephen’s Day (Lá Fhéile Stiofán) – December 26
Description
St. Stephen’s Day is celebrated the day after Christmas, honoring St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. In Ireland, it is traditionally a day for visiting friends and family, as well as attending sporting events. St. Stephen’s Day is also known for the Wren Boys procession, a centuries-old tradition in which people dress in costumes and parade through towns and villages.
Observance
St. Stephen’s Day is a public holiday, and many businesses are closed, particularly in the morning. The day is often spent relaxing with family or attending outdoor events such as hurling matches or horse racing. In rural areas, people celebrate with the Wren Boys tradition, where groups of people go door-to-door dressed as wrens, singing songs and collecting donations for charity.
Table: Public Holidays in Ireland and Observance
| Holiday | Date | Observed By | Public Sector | Private Sector | Schools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | January 1 | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
| St. Patrick’s Day | March 17 | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
| Easter Monday | Date Varies | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
| May Day | May 1 | Nationwide | Open | Open | Open |
| June Bank Holiday | First Monday in June | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
| August Bank Holiday | First Monday in August | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
| National Day | October 28 | Nationwide | Open | Open | Open |
| Halloween | October 31 | Nationwide | Open | Open | Open |
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
| St. Stephen’s Day | December 26 | Nationwide | Closed | Open | Closed |
