How many official public holidays are there in Ireland?
From 2023, there are 10 observed public holiday dates in Ireland. St. Brigid’s Day (1 February) was added to the calendar to mark the patroness saint of Ireland. The additional public holiday will be commemorated on the first Monday of February each year unless the date falls on a Friday.
Are public holidays paid in Ireland?
Full-time employees are entitled to paid leave on public holidays in Ireland. If required to work, the employee must be given a substitute day of paid leave within a month or additional remuneration equal to one day’s work.
Are public holidays on non-working days substituted?
If the public holiday falls on a non-working day in Ireland, the employee is still entitled to benefit from this. Employers may opt to award a substitute day or additional pay as compensation. It is not a legal requirement for the employer to provide the next non-working day as leave. (I.e. if the public holiday falls on a Sunday, it cannot be assumed that the Monday will be awarded as a substitute day off).
What happens if an employee is sick or on leave on a public holiday?
Employees in Ireland are entitled to benefit from the right to public holidays. If an employee is on sick leave during a public holiday, they will be awarded normal pay on this day, or an additional substitute day upon their return to work. This right does not extend to employees on long-term leave for more than 26 weeks. Employees on maternity, paternity or parental leave are also entitled to paid leave on public holidays.
2026 Public Holiday Dates
- New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January
- St. Brigid's Day: Monday 2 February
- St. Patrick's Day: Tuesday 17 March
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April
- May Day: Monday 4 May
- June Bank Holiday: Monday 1 June
- August Bank Holiday: Monday 3 August
- October Bank Holiday: Monday 26 October
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
- St. Stephen's Day: Saturday 26 December
Note: Good Friday is not a public holiday in Ireland. St. Stephen's Day falls on a Saturday in 2026 — there is no automatic substitute weekday, but employees are still entitled to public holiday benefit (an alternative day off, an extra day's pay, or an additional annual leave day).
2027 Public Holiday Dates
- New Year's Day: Friday 1 January
- St. Brigid's Day: Monday 1 February
- St. Patrick's Day: Wednesday 17 March
- Easter Monday: Monday 29 March
- May Day: Monday 3 May
- June Bank Holiday: Monday 7 June
- August Bank Holiday: Monday 2 August
- October Bank Holiday: Monday 25 October
- Christmas Day: Saturday 25 December
- St. Stephen's Day: Sunday 26 December
Note: Both Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day fall on weekend days in 2027. Employees retain entitlement to public holiday benefit for both.
