Ireland Bank Holidays 2026: Full List, Dates

Ireland Bank Holidays 2026:

Ireland has a total of 10 public holidays in 2026. These bank holidays are spaced across the year, giving plenty of opportunities for long weekend trips or midyear breaks.

What Each Ireland Bank Holiday Represents

New Year’s Day, January 1

New Year’s Day marks the official beginning of the calendar year. In Ireland, it represents a reset after the festive season, symbolising new beginnings, reflection, and rest. Many people spend the day with family or use it as a quiet pause before returning to routine.

St Brigid’s Day, February 2

St Brigid’s Day honours Brigid of Kildare, one of Ireland’s patron saints. It also has deep roots in Imbolc, the ancient Gaelic festival marking the start of spring. The day represents renewal, creativity, and the first sign of brighter months ahead.

St Patrick’s Day, March 17

St Patrick’s Day celebrates Ireland’s patron saint and reflects Irish identity both at home and worldwide. It represents Ireland’s Christian heritage and its global cultural influence. Parades in Dublin, Cork, and Galway express national pride and deep cultural tradition. It is also officially recognised in Northern Ireland.

Easter Monday, April 6

Easter Monday represents the close of the Easter season and carries additional historical significance in Ireland. It marks the anniversary week of the 1916 Rising, one of the most important events in Ireland’s path toward independence. It is both a Christian holiday and a moment of national remembrance.

May Day, May 4

The May Bank Holiday marks the arrival of early summer. Traditionally, it represents the old Celtic festival of Bealtaine, associated with light, fertility, and the start of agricultural growth. Many modern events still echo this seasonal shift.

June Bank Holiday, June 1

This holiday represents the beginning of Ireland’s full summer season. Long daylight hours, festivals, and community gatherings make it one of the most anticipated holidays of the year. It’s seen as the unofficial kickoff to summer.

August Bank Holiday, August 3

The August Bank Holiday reflects the peak of summer and Ireland’s strongest festival period. Historically, it aligns with Lughnasadh, a Gaelic harvest festival marking the first crops of the season. Today, it represents community celebrations, outdoor events and late-summer travel.

October Bank Holiday, October 26

October’s bank holiday represents Ireland’s ancient connection to Samhain, the festival that evolved into modern Halloween. It marks the shift from light to darker months and is tied to seasonal change, storytelling, and cultural traditions around remembrance.

Christmas Day, December 25

Christmas Day represents Ireland’s Christian heritage, celebrating the birth of Jesus. Beyond religion, it signifies family, generosity and togetherness. It is one of the most important cultural holidays of the Irish year.

St Stephen’s Day, December 26

St Stephen’s Day represents charitable traditions and community. In Ireland, it historically involved Wren Day processions, a custom still practiced in some regions. Today it marks the second day of Christmas, centred around family visits, sport and post-Christmas festivities.

Ireland vs UK vs Northern Ireland: What’s Different?

Ireland’s bank holiday schedule differs significantly from the UK’s:

• Ireland has St Brigid’s Day, but the UK does not.
• St Patrick’s Day is a public holiday in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, but not across all of Britain.
• Ireland has an October Bank Holiday, which the UK does not observe.
• The UK has an Early May Bank Holiday, which does not exist in Ireland.
• Some UK regions have additional dates tied to local traditions.

These variations often confuse travellers moving between Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK, especially when planning cross-border trips.

How to Maximize Bank Holidays in 2026

If you want to turn Ireland’s 2026 bank holidays into longer breaks, these dates offer the best opportunities.

St Brigid’s Day, Monday, 2 February 2026

Take Friday, 30 January off -> 4-day weekend (30 Jan–2 Feb)

Where to go:

• Kildare – St Brigid’s Well, Brigid’s Trail, festivals honouring her legacy.
• Wicklow Mountains – Calm winter hikes, Glendalough in off-season is still gorgeous.
• Kilkenny – Cosy pubs and medieval city breaks perfect for winter travel.

St Patrick’s Day, Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Take Monday, 16 March off -> 4-day break (15–17 March)

Where to go:

• Dublin – The world-famous St Patrick’s Festival.
• Cork – Parade + quieter but fantastic food scene.
• Galway – Great coastal atmosphere and trad music everywhere.

Easter Weekend, 3–6 April 2026

Take 7–10 April off -> 10 days off (3–12 April) using 4 leave days

Where to go:

• Dingle Peninsula – Early spring views, hikes, and the coastal drive.
• Cliffs of Moher & The Burren – Less crowded this time of year.
• Belfast & the Causeway Coast – Giant’s Causeway + spring road trip.

May Day, Monday, 4 May 2026

Take Friday, 1 May off -> 4-day weekend (1–4 May)

Where to go:

• Westport (Mayo) – Croagh Patrick, Clew Bay, great cycling routes.
• Kerry – Killarney National Park begins its prime season.
• Wexford – Beaches and spring temperatures arriving early in the southeast.

June Bank Holiday, Monday, 1 June 2026

Take Friday, 29 May off -> 4-day weekend (29 May–1 June)

Where to go:

• Galway – Festivals, summer buzz, cafés along the Spanish Arch.
• Aran Islands – Perfect weather window for cycling and cliffs.
• Donegal – Fanad Lighthouse, Slieve League, wild coastal beauty.

August Bank Holiday, Monday, 3 August 2026

Take Friday, 31 July off -> 4-day weekend (31 July–3 August)

Where to go:

• Wild Atlantic Way road trip – Peak summer, endless stops.
• Dublin -> Howth – Seafood, cliff walks, easy summer day trips.
• Cork / Kinsale – Sailing, colourful streets, food heaven.

October Bank Holiday, Monday, 26 October 2026

Take Friday, 23 October off -> 4-day weekend (23–26 Oct)

Where to go:

• Derry Halloween Festival – One of Europe’s biggest Halloween events.
• Kilkenny – Medieval Mile Museum, autumn vibes, food festivals.
• Glens of Antrim – Beautiful autumn colours + Game of Thrones filming sites.

Christmas & New Year

Take 28–30 December off -> 8 days off (25 Dec 2026 – 1 Jan 2027) using 3 leave days

Where to go:

• Cork & Killarney – Christmas markets + cosy winter stays.
• Dublin – New Year’s Festival events all over the city.
• Galway – Quiet winter coastal escape with pubs & trad music.

Travelling Ireland’s 2026 Bank Holidays

Ireland feels different during bank holiday weekends. Cities carry a festive energy, while coastal towns come alive with families, musicians, and travelers making the most of the time off. If you’re planning to explore Ireland in 2026, expect busier routes during St Patrick’s week, Easter, and the main summer holidays. Transport often runs on holiday timetables, and rural shops may operate shorter hours, but museums, parks, and major attractions stay open throughout the holiday periods.

Because the weather in Ireland can shift quickly, many travellers rely on updates for bus schedules, ferry routes, event timings, and local conditions. That’s why using an Eskimo Ireland eSIM tends to be the most convenient option, it activates instantly and avoids the hassle of swapping SIM cards at airports. If your trip extends to the UK or Europe, an Eskimo EU eSIM keeps the whole route seamless, and if you’re travelling farther, a Global eSIM covers multi-country journeys without changing providers.

Ireland’s 2026 bank holidays offer some of the best times to visit, from long summer evenings in Galway to autumn markets in Kilkenny and festive celebrations in Dublin. With a bit of planning and the right connectivity, the year opens up plenty of memorable journeys.

FAQs

How many bank holidays are there in Ireland in 2026?

There are 10 bank holidays in Ireland.

When is the next bank holiday in Ireland?

The first 2026 holidays are New Year’s Day and St Brigid’s Day.

Is Easter Monday a bank holiday?

Yes, Easter Monday is an official bank holiday every year.

Is Christmas Eve a bank holiday?

No. Christmas Eve is not a bank holiday in Ireland.

Is St Patrick’s Day a bank holiday in Northern Ireland?

Yes, it is recognised in Northern Ireland.

How many holiday days per month in Ireland?

Full-time employees generally earn 1.6–1.75 days per month.

How many holidays per year in Ireland?

Ireland has 10 public holidays, separate from annual leave entitlements.