Northern Ireland has 10 bank and public holidays in 2027, including St Patrick’s Day and the Battle of the Boyne holiday. If you’re planning time off, check the Northern Ireland dates before sending in your leave requests.
We’ve put the full calendar first, followed by the Christmas substitute dates, the differences from the Republic of Ireland and what to check with your employer. Dates first, small print after.
Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2027: Full Calendar
The Northern Ireland bank holiday calendar lists the following dates for 2027. The December entries are the official weekday substitutes for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
| Date | Weekday | Holiday Name | Substitute-Day Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2027 | Friday | New Year’s Day | Usual date |
| 17 March 2027 | Wednesday | St Patrick’s Day | Usual date |
| 26 March 2027 | Friday | Good Friday | No substitute |
| 29 March 2027 | Monday | Easter Monday | No substitute |
| 3 May 2027 | Monday | Early May bank holiday | No substitute |
| 31 May 2027 | Monday | Spring bank holiday | No substitute |
| 12 July 2027 | Monday | Battle of the Boyne (Orangemen’s Day) | Usual date |
| 30 August 2027 | Monday | Summer bank holiday | No substitute |
| 27 December 2027 | Monday | Christmas Day | Substitute for Saturday 25 December |
| 28 December 2027 | Tuesday | Boxing Day | Substitute for Sunday 26 December |
Use this table when checking NI public holidays 2027. An England and Wales calendar leaves out St Patrick’s Day and the July holiday, while the Republic of Ireland has a separate calendar. Easy enough to mix up, so check which one you’re using.
Which Holidays Have Substitute Days in 2027?
Christmas Day and Boxing Day are the two holidays with substitute dates in Northern Ireland in 2027. Christmas Day falls on Saturday 25 December, with its substitute on Monday 27 December. Boxing Day falls on Sunday 26 December, with its substitute on Tuesday, December 28.
Mark 27 and 28 December as the weekday bank holidays. The weekend celebrations stay on 25 and 26 December; the substitutes don’t add two more holidays to the annual total.
The Northern Ireland government explains that a substitute day is normally the following Monday when the usual date falls on a weekend. Christmas is a useful reminder to check the published dates: the two substitutes take up Monday and Tuesday.
Northern Ireland Versus Republic of Ireland Holidays
The two calendars are different, even though several holidays share a date. Planning cross-border work, appointments or travel? Check the calendar for the place you’re going, not just the one where you live.
The official Republic of Ireland public holiday calendar provides the comparison for the table below. Northern Ireland’s dates come from the UK government calendar above.
| Holiday or Period | Northern Ireland in 2027 | Republic of Ireland in 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| February holiday | No February bank holiday | St Brigid’s Day public holiday: Monday 1 February |
| St Patrick’s Day | Wednesday 17 March | Wednesday 17 March |
| Good Friday | Public holiday: Friday 26 March | Not a public holiday |
| Easter Monday | Monday 29 March | Monday 29 March |
| Early May holiday | Monday 3 May | Monday 3 May |
| Late May and June | Spring bank holiday: Monday 31 May | June public holiday: Monday 7 June |
| July holiday | Battle of the Boyne: Monday 12 July | No July public holiday |
| August holiday | Monday 30 August | Monday 2 August |
| October holiday | No October bank holiday | Monday 25 October |
The main dates to watch are Good Friday and the August holiday. Northern Ireland observes Good Friday and takes its summer bank holiday at the end of August. The Republic’s August holiday falls at the start of the month. For cross-border Easter plans, check the Republic’s Easter holiday guide to distinguish school breaks from public holidays.
For the complete calendar south of the border, use the Republic of Ireland bank holidays 2027 guide. The separate guide to public holiday pay and weekend rules in the Republic explains the employment arrangements there.
Planning Leave Around Northern Ireland Bank Holidays 2027
A bank holiday does not automatically entitle you to paid time off. That’s the important catch. In Northern Ireland, your contract determines your right to time off or extra pay for working on these dates.
The statutory minimum for eligible workers is 5.6 weeks of paid annual leave, equivalent to 28 days for someone working five days a week. Bank and public holidays can count towards that minimum. They aren’t automatically an additional 10 days.
If you normally work Monday to Friday and get the relevant bank holidays off, these leave requests could give you a decent stretch away from work:
- Easter: request Tuesday 30 March through Friday 2 April for 10 consecutive days off, from Friday 26 March through Sunday 4 April, using four days of annual leave.
- July: request Tuesday 13 July through Friday 16 July for nine consecutive days off, from Saturday 10 July through Sunday 18 July, using four days of annual leave.
- August: request Tuesday 31 August through Friday 3 September for nine consecutive days off, from Saturday 28 August through Sunday 5 September, using four days of annual leave.
These examples depend on your working pattern and approved leave. Check your contract or staff handbook, confirm how bank holidays come out of your allowance, and get approval before paying for a trip. The calendar can’t approve the request for you, unfortunately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Easter Sunday a Bank Holiday in Northern Ireland?
No. Easter Sunday isn’t a separate entry in Northern Ireland’s bank holiday calendar. In 2027, the Easter public holidays are Good Friday on 26 March and Easter Monday on 29 March.
Will Every Business Close on These Dates?
No—a bank holiday doesn’t mean every business will close. Check individual opening hours, appointments and transport schedules before making plans. Our guide to Ireland travel apps can help you choose tools for checking transport information.
Can Northern Ireland Bank Holiday Dates Change?
Yes. Special bank holidays can be declared, and bank holiday dates can change. Check the official Northern Ireland calendar again before finalising arrangements.
