Ireland Bank Holidays 2026 Dates: Full List of 10 Public Holidays

Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2026, running from New Year’s Day on Thursday 1 January to St Stephen’s Day on Saturday 26 December.

The calendar includes six Monday holidays, plus New Year’s Day, St Patrick’s Day, Christmas Day and St Stephen’s Day. For anyone planning annual leave, work rotas, family visits or a short break, the weekday is just as useful as the date.

In Ireland, “bank holiday” and “public holiday” are often used interchangeably. The legal public-holiday calendar is the one that matters for workplace entitlements, while individual bank branches, shops, schools and attractions can set their own opening arrangements.

Planning next year? See the full Ireland bank holidays 2027 calendar, including the Christmas 2027 weekend rules and the best long weekends for annual leave.

See other important dates in Ireland here:

• School Holidays
• Christmas School Holidays 2026
• Bank Holidays 2027
• Public Holiday Pay and Weekend Rules

Ireland Bank Holidays 2026: Full List of Dates

Remaining Ireland Bank Holidays in 2026

After the October Bank Holiday on Monday 26 October, two public holidays remain in 2026: Christmas Day on Friday 25 December and St Stephen’s Day on Saturday 26 December. The next one after that is New Year’s Day on Friday 1 January 2027.

• Friday 25 December: Christmas Day
• Saturday 26 December: St Stephen’s Day

Christmas is the tricky one this year: Christmas Day falls on a Friday, while St Stephen’s Day falls on a Saturday. The public-holiday dates do not move on the calendar simply because one lands at a weekend.

How the 2026 Dates Are Set

Several Irish public holidays fall on fixed dates. New Year’s Day is always 1 January, St Patrick’s Day is always 17 March, Christmas Day is always 25 December and St Stephen’s Day is always 26 December.

The remaining holidays follow weekday-based rules. Easter Monday follows Easter Sunday, while the May, June and August bank holidays fall on the first Monday of their month and the October Bank Holiday falls on the last Monday in October. That is why the 2026 dates are 4 May, 1 June, 3 August and 26 October.

St Brigid’s Day has its own rule. It is observed on the first Monday in February, except when 1 February is a Friday, when that Friday is the public holiday. In 2026, 1 February falls on a Sunday, so St Brigid’s Day is Monday 2 February.

Long Weekends and Annual Leave Planning

The most useful dates for a standard Monday-to-Friday schedule are Easter Monday, the May Bank Holiday, the June Bank Holiday, the August Bank Holiday and the October Bank Holiday. Each sits on a Monday, creating a three-day break without using annual leave.

St Patrick’s Day lands on a Tuesday in 2026. Taking leave on Monday 16 March can create a four-day break from Saturday 14 March through Tuesday 17 March, subject to your employer approving the day off. It is a popular date for parades and local events, so transport and accommodation can be busier in places such as Dublin, Cork and Galway. Anyone fitting the holiday into a longer road trip can use this 7-day Ireland itinerary for first-time visitors to map out the rest of the week.

Christmas Day falls on a Friday, giving many Monday-to-Friday workers a natural three-day weekend through Sunday 27 December. St Stephen’s Day remains a Saturday public holiday, so do not assume a Monday closure or a replacement day without checking your workplace arrangements.

Good Friday Is Not a Public Holiday in Ireland

Good Friday, 3 April 2026, is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland. Some employers, banks, schools, shops and other organisations may close or operate shorter hours, but that is not the same as being on the national public-holiday list.

This catches people out because Good Friday comes immediately before Easter Monday. If you are arranging work cover, childcare or travel, confirm the plans of the specific employer, school, carrier or venue involved. Easter Monday, on 6 April 2026, is the statutory public holiday.

Public Holiday Pay and Time Off: What Employees Should Check

Public-holiday entitlements in Ireland are covered by the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997. Eligibility and the form of benefit can depend on your work pattern, contractual terms and whether you work on the public holiday.

For that reason, a calendar alone cannot confirm what an individual will receive. Ask your employer or payroll team how it handles each date, especially if you work part-time, work variable shifts, have recently started a job or normally work weekends. The Workplace Relations Commission is the relevant body for guidance and disputes about employment rights.

Employers should also be precise in rotas and payroll systems. Calling Good Friday a bank holiday, or silently treating St Stephen’s Day as Monday 28 December, creates avoidable confusion. The official 2026 dates are the dates shown in the table above.

Quick Calendar Notes for Ireland in 2026

• Six of the 10 public holidays fall on a Monday.
• St Patrick’s Day is Tuesday 17 March.
• Good Friday is Friday 3 April, but it is not a public holiday.
• Christmas Day is Friday 25 December.
• St Stephen’s Day is Saturday 26 December.

For holiday planning, save the full list now and check the dates against your own employer, school or service provider before making non-refundable arrangements. A public holiday can affect timetables and opening hours, but it does not guarantee that every business will close. For a break built around a long weekend, a three-day Ireland itinerary keeps the driving manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Bank Holidays Are There in Ireland in 2026?

Ireland has 10 public holidays in 2026. St Brigid’s Day is included, alongside the established New Year, St Patrick’s, Easter, summer, autumn and Christmas dates.

Is Good Friday a Bank Holiday in Ireland in 2026?

No. Good Friday falls on 3 April 2026, but it is not a statutory public holiday in Ireland. Easter Monday, 6 April 2026, is the public holiday.

When Is the August Bank Holiday in Ireland in 2026?

The August Bank Holiday is Monday 3 August 2026. It is the first Monday in August.

When Is the October Bank Holiday in Ireland in 2026?

The October Bank Holiday is Monday 26 October 2026. It always falls on the last Monday in October.

What Happens When St Stephen’s Day Falls on a Saturday?

St Stephen’s Day remains Saturday 26 December 2026 on the public-holiday calendar. Any time-off or payment entitlement depends on the applicable employment rules and your work arrangement, so check with your employer.

Is St Brigid’s Day a Public Holiday in Ireland?

Yes. St Brigid’s Day is one of Ireland’s 10 public holidays. In 2026, it is observed on Monday 2 February.